Anyone hear from the grapevine if we're getting 'em?

No clue. Have not heard a thing.

It is probably dependent on the if/when of the UA merger. Given the relative slow pace of the approval process, I would be very surprised if the merger were authorized or approved enough for the Div. Miles and Mileage Plus programs to be combined at the beginning of 2001. That is less than 100 days from now.

Well, this is a situation were US Airways could go forward, but is not thanks to the merger. (OFF TOPIC: For example, is US still pursueing new aircraft and routes, especially to Europe, or have they stopped assuming the merger will go thru. Are they confident that if the merger fails they will try again or break the company up and sell it. Everyone knows that Wolf doesn't stay with an airline for long! Back ON-TOPIC)

I was hoping that US would see that the systemwide program didn't negatively affect revenue for the International First and Business Class cabins, and would go ahead and give them at regular intervals, like the current Delta program (two for every 20K flown as a Preferred member), but it doesn't sound like they will be doing this. They started with NO upgrades, operational, cert, or mileage, to the International Envoy Cabin, then started with a tiny start: 2 for Gold and Silver, 4 for CP.

A question for the crowd of CPs:
Are the 4 systemwides really 4 or are two regular and two for companion only? If the latter, it really sucks if you were going to use them on business to Europe if your cheapo company would only pay Economy!

...give them at regular intervals, like the current Delta program (two for every 20K flown as a Preferred member)...


Delta just recently changed their program and will not grant any more systemwide upgrades after flying 20k Medallion miles; they will now be North American upgrades intead.

I don't think we'll be seeing systemwides in US next year either.

Arrzee
US2

The four Chairman's Systemwides are 2 for the ChrPrf, 2 for a companion travelling with you. So if you have no friends as a Chairman's Preferred they're useless http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Of course upgrading someone to business from coach will make friends fast!

I could guess either way on this topic. From the description of Chairman's Preferred benefits on US Airways' website:

/\/\/\/\
Transatlantic Upgrades. In celebration of the introduction of new A330-300 wide-body aircraft in the spring of 2000, we will include a special gift in your Welcome Kit – two one-way transatlantic upgrades for you and a companion that may be used with the purchase of any published fare.
/\/\/\/\

Well, the A330 isn't new anymore.