US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Best way to upgrade for non preferred

Every year I just fall short of making silver. This year I will make it on segments but not for a few months.

I am now flying ALB-PHL-PVD routinely. My fare paid will always be B8. I would like to upgrade but since I'm not preferred yet I a) have no coupons and b) I don't think I am allowed to but the 4 coupons for $120. Since the total miles for the 2 segments are under 500 (each about 22 miles), only 1 500 coupon would only be needed.

Even with the short filghts, I don't want to hassle with coach for the 30 segments until I make preferred.

Do I have any options???

How close were you to making Silver? If you were close, a phone call to USAirways Dividend Miles Service Center might get you the status.

Otherwise, if you're flying on the unrestricted B fares, you can upgrade as soon as your ticket is issued by calling USAir reservations and telling them you want to upgrade and that you'll pay at the counter. It should be $40, if they even collect it....

And there's always using 20k miles for an upgrade at time of booking. Yes, it's tossing miles, but other than flying on an unresticted ticket, don't see a lot of options for upgrades.

Otherwise, you may want to think about a challenge for SP. IIRC, it's 7,500 miles in the challenge period (or 8 segments, I think). Of course, it's up to the Div Miles Svc Center to let you be part of it. It's possible that if you're close, they'll give you the status contingent on flying x amount of miles within a certain time (that may have been discussed here a time or two).