The much written about exchange of 800 mi upgrade certificates for 4-500 mi e-upgrades leaves systemwide upgrades worthless. There isn't any provision to convert them. There is suggestion that all paper certificates will be worthless on 12/5/02. Even if systemwides aren't worthless, some agents may say they are.

I wrote to them asking that they allow exchange for 500 mi e-upgrades. Even a 10:1 ratio would be poor (favorable to them) as it's only 2.5 x the 800 mi certificate rate. That's like a systemwide worth the same as a 2,000 mi upgrade. Everyone knows you can use a systemwide upgrade to Europe or transcon.

The letter will probably fall on deaf ears. US Airways website > contact us (upper right) has a form if you want to express your support of allowing systemwide upgrades to be exchanged.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Skylink USA:
There is suggestion that all paper certificates will be worthless on 12/5/02. Even if systemwides aren't worthless, some agents may say they are.</font>

Maybe, but my interpretation was that they would just stop issuing them on paper as of 12/5. The language on the "mail-em-in-to-us" brochure states: "800-mile North American upgrades will no longer be available for sale or award redemption effective December 5, 2002."

By "Award redemption" I think they mean redeeming Dividend Miles for an upgrade coupon - but the ones you have are still useable until they expire. There's even language on the brochure explaining what you must do if you want to use a paper upgrade instead of an e-upgrade:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If you are using a paper certificate or Dividend Miles upgrade award, you must check in at the ticket counter and advise the representative not to use your E-Upgrade bank.</font>
Since they are explaining how to use a paper upgrade after E-Upgrades become effective, the paper ones must still work after December 5.

At least that's the way I read it.

I simply assume that Systemwide Upgrades will continue to be issued in paper. I haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise.

(Other than the lingering fear that they may be discontinued at some time--they haven't been a documented benefit on the web site for a while now...)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Skylink USA:
The much written about exchange of 800 mi upgrade certificates for 4-500 mi e-upgrades leaves systemwide upgrades worthless. There isn't any provision to convert them. There is suggestion that all paper certificates will be worthless on 12/5/02. Even if systemwides aren't worthless, some agents may say they are.

I wrote to them asking that they allow exchange for 500 mi e-upgrades. Even a 10:1 ratio would be poor (favorable to them) as it's only 2.5 x the 800 mi certificate rate. That's like a systemwide worth the same as a 2,000 mi upgrade. Everyone knows you can use a systemwide upgrade to Europe or transcon.

The letter will probably fall on deaf ears. US Airways website &gt; contact us (upper right) has a form if you want to express your support of allowing systemwide upgrades to be exchanged.</font>

Systemwide upgrades still have value. I think it would be foolish to convert them on any ratio, because they are one of the most liberal upgrades provided by US. As long as they are valid, they can be used systemwide, one in each direction, even via connection. Why convert them to 4-500 mile domestic use only?

I would argue that the value of the Systemwides was diminished significantly when they went 7/3/1.

I've got like 6 at home, and 4 of those will probably end up getting turned into miles. For a CP, they don't really help domestically, and with inventory being what it has been this year, a US20 or the transatlantic miles based upgrades are the only way I've found to actually be able to score the upgraded seats to the West Coast or Europe.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
I've got like 6 (systemwides) at home, and 4 of those will probably end up getting turned into miles.</font>

Do you mean redeeming them for 500 miles each in your DM account, or for 4-500 mile upgrades? I'm in the same boat (but GP), and don't plan any transatlantic or transcontinental travel before they expire. Which would be the better option for me?

I talked to a CP rep yesterday about the whole e-upgrade thing. He told me that the systemwides were worthless unless used and we could not exchange them for miles prior to expiration. Was he wrong? He said that we could only turn in the 800-mile certs for miles.

I know he is atleast partially worng. 800 Mile certs can be exchanged for 500 mile E-Upgrades. Currently 4-1 exchange. After Dec. 5th it goes to 3-1 and then after January 31st it goes to 2-1. This is clearly posted on their web site and has been stated in other mailings in the last week.

I did ask a club rep today about system wides. She just came back from training on E-Upgrades yesterday and she was puzzled about SWU. She said they never mentioned them in the training class.

rawbert

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RSMC:
I talked to a CP rep yesterday about the whole e-upgrade thing. He told me that the systemwides were worthless unless used and we could not exchange them for miles prior to expiration. Was he wrong? He said that we could only turn in the 800-mile certs for miles.</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
I would argue that the value of the Systemwides was diminished significantly when they went 7/3/1.

I've got like 6 at home, and 4 of those will probably end up getting turned into miles. For a CP, they don't really help domestically, and with inventory being what it has been this year, a US20 or the transatlantic miles based upgrades are the only way I've found to actually be able to score the upgraded seats to the West Coast or Europe.

</font>

What about using miles to get the upgrade, then switching to the system wide upon checkin, then having the miles re-deposited?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dingo:
What about using miles to get the upgrade, then switching to the system wide upon checkin, then having the miles re-deposited?</font>

BAD, BAD, BAD!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I think this may ACTUALLY be one of the things that helps make those systemwides so worthless. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

That, and I don't know if they'll let you do it anymore.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

I've had my training already and the handout clearly states the only paper coupon which has exchange value for E-Upgrade ( DMU500 )is a DMUP01/NAU. Systemwide DMUPSYS/SYS02 can only be exchanged for 500 miles into ones account.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
Systemwide DMUPSYS/SYS02 can only be exchanged for 500 miles into ones account.</font>WOW! Talk about devaulation! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
I've had my training already and the handout clearly states the only paper coupon which has exchange value for E-Upgrade ( DMU500 )is a DMUP01/NAU. Systemwide DMUPSYS/SYS02 can only be exchanged for 500 miles into ones account.</font>

Then the information you received differs dramatically from mine.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
I've had my training already and the handout clearly states the only paper coupon which has exchange value for E-Upgrade ( DMU500 )is a DMUP01/NAU. Systemwide DMUPSYS/SYS02 can only be exchanged for 500 miles into ones account.</font>

How about DS0013's from way back when - I've still got a bunch from the '93 Triple Play promotion. They have no name on them - Can my (GP) wife send them in and get 4:1?

According to the website:

Members may also choose to exchange system-wide paper upgrades (Award Code: DMUPSYS02) and any other paper upgrade for E-Upgrades. All paper upgrades will be exchanged at the same ratio as the 800-mile North American upgrades. Each member must decide if exchanging paper upgrades for E-Upgrade meets their travel needs.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyerAl:
According to the website:

Members may also choose to exchange system-wide paper upgrades (Award Code: DMUPSYS02) and any other paper upgrade for E-Upgrades. All paper upgrades will be exchanged at the same ratio as the 800-mile North American upgrades. Each member must decide if exchanging paper upgrades for E-Upgrade meets their travel needs.</font>


Ah, that's either new or I completely missed it. Looks like MrsGP will be getting quite a few in her bank.

Thanks

[This message has been edited by CPRich (edited 11-22-2002).]

I was told today that I could send in my paper DMUPSYS cert and get 4 e-Upgrades for it, or just get 500 miles. The envelope that they sent out to allow you to mail back the certs says "any unexpired paper upgrade certificate."

So its worth 2K miles or 4 upgrades.

S.