I have to travel to from ROC to BCN in February. I have to stay over a Saturday night. I would like to upgrade to Envoy, but can only find a W fare (not upgradeable with miles) or a B fare for > $2500 RT. Any clues on how to fine an upgradeable fare without having to pay for an unrestricted fare?

I don't know with US unfortunately. I love US, but if you're not Preferred, upgrading is like a big mystery...

NW makes it easy on their website. When booking, you can click a box saying "Mileage Upgrade" or something, and it finds the lowest fares you can use miles to upgrade with, and how many miles it will take. I'm not sure why that sort of thing isn't standard on all airline websites...

1) Call reservations.
2) www.usair.com. Search by price. Select any Q fare >= 732$. Choose your days of travel.

1) Call reservations.
2) www.usair.com. Search by price. Select any Q fare >= 732$. Choose your days of travel.


Thanks. I hate to call reservations, it always leaves me feeling unsatisfied.
I had forgotten about the select by price option.

You can search for fares. I'm not sure if all fares listed are actually bookable, but at least it gives pricing buckets for your dates and destination.

Hopefully this link will work and bring the reader to the fares page at US... (http://fs.usairways.com/abs/fareQuote.do)

Personally, when it's time to actually book the trip I've always just called reservations though.

30K miles each way to upgrade for non-full fare ticket. Is it really worth it, consider award Envoy R/T ticket is 80K miles (assuming seat is available)?

30K miles each way to upgrade for non-full fare ticket. Is it really worth it, consider award Envoy R/T ticket is 80K miles (assuming seat is available)?

Big IF on Envoy availability at 80K.

Good luck is right with the 80K award. I had a heck of a time getting a trip booked for May/June to PRG and back from TXL. I wanted out of BDL, and there was nothing on ANY *A partner. I was able to find one seat out of JFK to PRG via MUC on LH and one seat again from TXL to JFK via FRA. I don't have the dates I want, but I have something. I was offered LOT on my preferred date of return, but didn't like the times and I haven't heard too many good things about their J service.

I agree finding saver Envoy award ticket can be difficult especially during summer time. But US is no worse than other airlines I've tried (UA and DL). I still think 30K miles is too much for envoy upgrade plus the extra cost for the upgradeable ticket.
I'm just curious, who has ponied up 30K miles for an one-way envoy upgrade?

who has ponied up 30K miles for an one-way envoy upgrade?

I have been known to do this because award availability was nonexistant for the months I wanted to travel. Will be doing so again over Thanksgiving to Venice.

Sometimes, the 10,000 mile u/g option is a better deal. I'll probably go that route for Scotland in June... if they don't eliminate 10,000 mile u/g option, that is.

II'm just curious, who has ponied up 30K miles for an one-way envoy upgrade?

I've done it more times than I can count. For me it is definitely worth it. Yes, I know US Envoy service sucks and all that compared to other airlines, but the potential of a few hours sleep (more likely in Row 1) makes the start of an international trip so much better. I guess it depends how you want to spend your miles. I agree 30K each way puts a pretty big dent in the account, but to me it's worth it.

KIM

I'm just curious, who has ponied up 30K miles for an one-way envoy upgrade?

I do it - 7-8 hour flights, it makes a big difference.

I've said it before though - so unfair, 3000 mile cross country upgrade free, 3500 mile TA flight 30,000 miles :eek:

I do it - 7-8 hour flights, it makes a big difference.

I've said it before though - so unfair, 3000 mile cross country upgrade free, 3500 mile TA flight 30,000 miles :eek:

Drastically different products. OK, not that drastic.. but shhh! Don't give them any ideas on charging for transcon upgrades! Now, if CPs got the equivalent of SWU/VIPs... that would be sweet.

Sometimes, the 10,000 mile u/g option is a better deal. I'll probably go that route for Scotland in June... if they don't eliminate 10,000 mile u/g option, that is.

Sorry -- I m new at this -- what is the 10,000 mile u/g for TA flights? Thx.

Sorry -- I m new at this -- what is the 10,000 mile u/g for TA flights? Thx.

One way TA upgrades are 10K miles if on a Full Fare ticket (Y, B, and U).

One way TA upgrades are 10K miles if on a Full Fare ticket (Y, B, and U).

I think N and U buckets only count as full fare domestically. Check http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/redeemingmiles/howtoredeem/upgrades.htm for details. Unless it's outdated. In which case I am wrong.

I think N and U buckets only count as full fare domestically. Check http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/redeemingmiles/howtoredeem/upgrades.htm for details. Unless it's outdated. In which case I am wrong.


You are correct only Y and B on International fares.....my mistake. N and U do count domestically, but I've never seen either fare category for sale on the website.

You are correct only Y and B on International fares.....my mistake. N and U do count domestically, but I've never seen either fare category for sale on the website.

I've never seen a U. Last winter to South Florida, H was the lowest refundable, with N being the next bucket up. I got stuck for N fares a few times... and it wasn't so comfy on the wallet.

.... then again, I was a US3 at the time, so I guess you could say they did me a favor.

I've never seen a U.

U is a Shuttle fare.