US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Award Ticket Question

Last month I booked myself a RT coach ticket from RIC to SFO using my miles. However, the more I think about it I'd really like to do the trip in first class. Can I call reservations and ask them to take the extra miles and change it to a first class ticket or is it non-changeable after it's issued?

Thanks!!

If you booked an advance purchase ticket, like V or K class, then you can't use miles to upgrade it. They can only be used to upgrade the un-restricted coach fares like A, B or Y. Check the Dividend Miles website for the US Award chart - it's pretty clear on which types of coach tix that can be upgraded with miles.

Your best option is to use certificates (if you have them), or to purchase a first class ticket, which is about $2500 roundtrip from east coast to SFO.

I don't think Hokiefan purchased a ticket at all. He used miles for a coach ticket.

To answer your question, I'm not sure. They should be able to change it, but at worst you should have to pay a $25 fee to "re-deposit" the original miles, and just claim an entirely new award.

PHL, you have US confused with Delta. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif You most certainly CAN upgrade a discount fare like K or V in advance, as far in advance as you can purchase the ticket. The roundtrip upgrade would cost 20,000 miles as opposed to 10,000 miles for an unrestricted fare.

Here's the link to the US upgrade chart.
http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/redeemingmiles/howtoredeem/upgrades.htm

[This message has been edited by harold (edited 04-23-2001).]

I don't think Hokiefan purchased a ticket at all. He used miles for a coach ticket.


Actually SHE used her miles to get the coach ticket. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Thanks for the feedback . . . I'll call reservations tomorrow!

Hokiefan, your fellow Richmonder begs your pardon. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hokiefan, your fellow Richmonder begs your pardon. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

No apology necessary . . . I've been guilty of the same thing myself http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

hokiefan, I've had no trouble changing the award class of service in the past. Everything should go fine unless your origin or destination cities change, which is not allowed w/o a fee. If you're turned down at first, I'd recommend calling a few more times. Good luck. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hello US FTers,

My one experience with changing from a US coach award ticket to FC award was very positive. They were only too happy to make the change for the extra 15K miles (I'm Gold Preferred so I do not know if that helped).

One attempt with NW at doing the same was unsuccessful.


Cheers,

Va.SquireFlyer

Dumb question along these lines. If I am going to fly an award ticket and choose to upgrade the flight with purchased upgrades, that would be done in your appropriate preferred window (72hrs/24...) correct?

Chexfan, I don't think so. There has often been confusion over this overlooked and mis-understood benefit. But I believe somewhere buried deep in the rules, it says that the window of opportunity is within an hour or two of departure.....in other words, the elite status window doesn't apply.

But hey, who knows? Given that many agents don't even know it's possible to upgrade an award seat, I'd certainly give them a call in advance. And we've read about people using their normal 800 mile certificates instead of the "purchased" upgrades.

For an award ticket, the upgrade window used to be one hour prior to departure and you had to use purchased (not complimentary) upgrades. However, as has been noted elsewhere on this board (IIRC), US no longer allows upgrading of an award ticket - you're at the mercy of the agent.

Thanks. I don't know why I ask though, I've never used any of my US miles before...

Harold - you're right, I was thinking they purchased a coach ticket. You're also currect about the coach ticket upgrade with points issue. I was thinking in terms of international, where you can't use points to upgrade restricted coach tix.