US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Upgrade Changes Coming?

Has anyone heard the following info? I searched FT, but couldn't find anything (being somewhat new, please excuse me if this has been covered elsewhere).

FWIW, I was using a soon to expire DMUPSYS on my flight today and the US ticket agent told me about changes they were recently briefed on regarding upgrades:

Before the end of the year (she said Nov-Dec) 800-mile NAUs will no longer be issued...they will start issuing upgrades valid for 1 segment up to 500-miles only. For a limited time, US will offer an exchange option for DM members holding the current NAUs...and will give 2 of the "new" upgrades for each "old" one (a US-CP rep told me he heard it would be something like a 4 for 1 deal).

All "new" upgrades will be electronically issued to your DM account (no more paper cert's), and you will be able to call ANYTIME after ticketing to be placed in a q-list, and be upgraded based on fare, availability and your upgrade window (SP=1 day, GP=3 days), similar to the current CP q-list process. The rep said there will be no change to the CP process...

You have to have upgrade "credit" in your DM account at the time you call for the upgrade (can't upgrade ahead of actually receiving them when you anticipate getting them based on segments/miles flown).

Per the US rep, unused upgrades will no longer be exchangeable for miles.

[This message has been edited by JL-327 (edited 10-08-2002).]

I'm assuming most of this is going to be true, as it does make some sense. I remember BWI2MCO97 said something about changes in upgrades recently.

I knew something had to be changed regarding the US 800 vs UA 500 mile upgrades, and of course, we (US) are getting the shaft.

I guess all of us CP's better send back our upgrade certs!

[This message has been edited by nawlinsdoc (edited 10-08-2002).]

But CPs get unlimited upgrades if I am not mistaken.

My 500 mile UGs automatically roll over to 500 miles upon expiration. Surely the new US system should work the same way.

I have already had the "Upgrade Request" training and have seen a res brief on the 500 mile electronic , but I haven't heard all this exchange info you mention. All I understand about the electronic upgrade is that res will have access to your upgrade balances and useage. The Upgrade Request should be very nice ( if done correctly ) and your upgrade status should appear on virtuallythere.com or when using the automated phone system....res will also be making phone calls to advise when upgrade is confirmed. This new system is supposed to start up next week on the 15th I think.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nawlinsdoc:
I'm assuming most of this is going to be true, as it does make some sense. I remember BWI2MCO97 said something about changes in upgrades recently.

I knew something had to be changed regarding the US 800 vs UA 500 mile upgrades, and of course, we (US) are getting the shaft.

I guess all of us CP's better send back our upgrade certs!

[This message has been edited by nawlinsdoc (edited 10-08-2002).]</font>

Surely the 50 or so NAU's I am holding which say they can be redeemed for 500 miles will be grandfathered to still be redeemable? Just like the old DMUPSYS's can still be confirmed outside of the upgrade window?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
I have already had the "Upgrade Request" training and have seen a res brief on the 500 mile electronic , but I haven't heard all this exchange info you mention. All I understand about the electronic upgrade is that res will have access to your upgrade balances and useage. The Upgrade Request should be very nice ( if done correctly ) and your upgrade status should appear on virtuallythere.com or when using the automated phone system....res will also be making phone calls to advise when upgrade is confirmed. This new system is supposed to start up next week on the 15th I think.</font>

do you know if anything is changing for chairman's preferred for next year?

so many questions....

what is a "q-list?" would this new process, in effect, penalize the last minute (i.e. "business") travelers, since the list will be populated with upgrade requests from those who have made their reservations weeks or months in advance? will more 500 electronic coupons be earned per 10,000 miles than the current silver/gold formula? will US Airways have different upgrade earning rules than United, or are the days of the most lucrative domestic elite program over? did mileshound ever find his holy grail? will catwood realize that there are much easier ways to earn CP than the 20,000 mile challenge?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JL-327:
All "new" upgrades will be electronically issued to your DM account (no more paper cert's), and you will be able to call ANYTIME after ticketing to be placed in a q-list, and be upgraded based on fare, availability and your upgrade window (SP=1 day, GP=3 days), similar to the current CP q-list process. The rep said there will be no change to the CP process...</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ATC:
so many questions....

what is a "q-list?"</font>

It's a queue for the waitlist http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">... would this new process, in effect, penalize the last minute (i.e. "business") travelers, since the list will be populated with upgrade requests from those who have made their reservations weeks or months in advance?</font>

No. Last minute travel implies full fare which means that your upgrade comes out of a different (and senior) inventory bucket.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">will more 500 electronic coupons be earned per 10,000 miles than the current silver/gold formula? will US Airways have different upgrade earning rules than United, or are the days of the most lucrative domestic elite program over?</font>

It would appear that US is emulating UA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif 'nuf said...

The Holy Grail was found (achieved) in Envoy over the Atlantic on Thursday night.

To add to the questions:
How or do electronic upgrades expire? What about SWU?

By the way, no the CP status is not worthless.

will catwood realize that there are much easier ways to earn CP than the 20,000 mile challenge?


Maybe I will, people need to send me emails and help me out!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JL-327:

Before the end of the year (she said Nov-Dec) 800-mile NAUs will no longer be issued...they will start issuing upgrades valid for 1 segment up to 500-miles only. For a limited time, US will offer an exchange option for DM members holding the current NAUs...and will give 2 of the "new" upgrades for each "old" one (a US-CP rep told me he heard it would be something like a 4 for 1 deal).
</font>

This is kind of, well, not nice for a shorthaul airline.

MDT-ROC. 207 miles as the crow flies, but you have to connect in PIT, let's say. Mainline metal on both flights. 2 certs/stickers/credits.

I hope that they alter the earning potential/number of certs per 10k chunk flown for SP/GP, or this change is really going to rot. Or, they will have been sucessfull in "right sizing" or "mirroring" UA MP, which should not be the goal.

You can bet the the "other shoe" will be the loss of unlimited upgrades for Chairman's. Write it down.

------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
You can bet the the "other shoe" will be the loss of unlimited upgrades for Chairman's. Write it down.
</font>

If the unlimited upgrades go, so will many of the CPs. I sure as heck won't pay 50 bucks more (and lose an extra 2 hours) for a connecting flight to go to same place I could go to on Southwest direct if the upgrades aren't there. Flying out of New Orleans, US doesn't exactly have the most convenient schedule for me.

I would hope we would give the same backlash we gave last time if they were to do this. UA's 1K's DO NOT get this perk, so something has to give.

Really, the unlimited upgrades are what distinguishes the Dm program from all others. Without them, well, let's just say that there will be a lot less 100K flyers on US.

In short, welcome to United Airlines, people.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
MDT-ROC. 207 miles as the crow flies, but you have to connect in PIT, let's say. Mainline metal on both flights. 2 certs/stickers/credits.
</font>

They are only supposed to collect one cert, since the upgrade mileage requirements are measured from point A to point C. This is clear in the terms and conditions, and any Dividend Miles service rep will tell you this, too.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHL:
They are only supposed to collect one cert, since the upgrade mileage requirements are measured from point A to point C. This is clear in the terms and conditions, and any Dividend Miles service rep will tell you this, too.</font>

According to the posted rumor the new certs will only be good for one segment.

Ben Baldanza is sitting in his office now thinking, "Man, we got them. We are giving out bonuses left and right, practically handing out CP like candy. They are all flying us like crazy to keep us afloat and earn their silly perks. Now, AFTER they're hooked on the crack that is CP, we will remove their most beloved perk, the unlimited upgrade. I mean, they can't complain, what about all of the 1Ks? It's not fair to them. Anyway, we only used those frequent flyers to keep us going during the Fall slow-time long enough to get ourselves on better footing in the codeshare."

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHL:
Dividend Miles service rep will tell you this, too.</font>

Ok, this is a sore point with me. Somebody call res right now and ask them about this. I have called at least 8 different times. EVERY agent says it is calculated A-B-C. I spent an angst-ridden evening on the phone to determine this.

Beckles, before you reply, I know that it is the gate agent who really matters. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Folks..I wouldn't panic yet. First of all, my office was the first one trained on the Upgrade Request and Interline ETKT ( not mentioned) and I would expect us to be first on the Electronic Upgrades as well. The only info ever put out was in the Res Briefing (little newsletter) on one small paragraph. My guess is that all the comments made by the rep at the top of this thread are speculation . Concentrate on the good things and wait to see about the other stuff.

This place is like a friggen soap opera! I was going through my files yesterday and found between my wife and I I have 10 unused System Wide Upgrades, and 30 unused NAUs. We're both simply not flying (not worth the hassle) so what's the consensus, should I be sending them all in for miles ? I was going to send all but ten in for miles, and extend those ten at the end of the year.

I hope BWI2MCO will give us a sneak preview if the changes above happen!

Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
I have 10 unused System Wide Upgrades</font>

The horror ... the horror ...

I'd send 'em in and ask for credit ... worst they'll do is say no, otherwise they're worthless anyway ...

Remember that UA upgrades are calculated A to C, crow flies, mileage, not A-B-C. So if US is working to align it's upgrade policy with UA, as seems evident with possible switch to 500 mile segments, then I would say it most likely is not going to be A-B-C for certs.

I'm also an AA elite and the upgrades there are of the crappy A-B-C variety so be thankful that UA A-C might be the focus here.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sbtinme:
In short, welcome to United Airlines, people.</font>

Doh! United Airlines is why I started flying US to begin with! Someone's got a fatal attraction with Dingo me thinks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tfjim:
Remember that UA upgrades are calculated A to C, crow flies, mileage, not A-B-C. So if US is working to align it's upgrade policy with UA, as seems evident with possible switch to 500 mile segments, then I would say it most likely is not going to be A-B-C for certs.

I'm also an AA elite and the upgrades there are of the crappy A-B-C variety so be thankful that UA A-C might be the focus here.</font>

This is very true, except it never works this way in reality on United unless you're an 1K, on lightly loaded flights or on very big equipment the reality is that upgrades generally clear at the gate for United segment-by-segment, and then you get dinged for each segment individually.

So PHL-ORD-SFO is calculated as 2521 miles (PHL-SFO). With United's 65-mile grace (at least that's what they tell me...), it's "only" 5 certs to go coast-to-coast... But, if you clear each segment individually, its 2 certs (678 miles PHL-ORD) + 4 certs (1846 miles ORD-SFO)

I guess I'm in a minority here, because I actually find upgrades on United to be well worth the many 500-milers they cost, as I tend to book flights with International configurations (777s or 747s) and the upgrade is typically to a wonderful business class seat. I'm not sure how I'd feel about "paying" that much for the US Domestic first seats. I'm hoping that as a CP, it doesn't matter...




[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 10-09-2002).]

I just got off the phone with a very friendly and knowledgable Gold rep a few minutes ago - we actually spoke for over 30 minutes (I had initially called just to make an award reservation).

I asked him if he knew about changes to the upgrade process.

He told me he just went through training.

* After next Tuesday, you will be able to call in (even to a special toll free number) to request upgrade or indicate at time of ticketing.
* You will automaticaly be queued for upgrade within the appropriate window (i.e. 7/3/1 or immediate if full fare).
* Upgrades will automatically clear based on status and REQUEST DATE (i.e. if you ticket in January for November then you are ahead of someone that tickets in March for that flight of same elite status).
* Virtuallythere.com will show real time indication of if upgrade is cleared.
* If you cancel flight on cleared upgrade, the system is so fast that it will automatically assign it to another PAX who is first in line, you lose it....
* Since they assignment of upgrades is no longer manual (I never realized waitlisted upgrades were all MANUALLY changed to confirmed!!!!!!) agents will no longer be able to see where you are in line.
* My agent did not know if we would be able to request upgrades online but at least we can check them there.

* He was not informed nor has he heard anything about upgrades changing to 500 mile segments or going electronic at this time.

I see we have an employee in this forum and I'm not trying to represent this differently, but I thought I would share what I have heard.

I asked him if there was going to be a change in the buckets for upgrades and he didn't seem to think so.

Oh, he also did mention interlining with UA on e-tickets will be ready soon (not sure if it is Tuesday though) and then they plan to add all airlines at a rate of 1 per 60 days for interlining without paper ticket.

You know what's funny about all of this?

I'm going to end up talking to a human to request an upgrade, anyway. The current routine (for domestic flights, on my part):

1. Buy ticket online.
2. Wait 5 minutes.
3. Call CP line, get my exit row in coach, and have them queue me up.

While I might be able to eliminate 3b (queue for upgrade), I still can't do 3a without talking to somebody.

That, and what's going to happen during the "interim" period--eg, I've got 3 or 4 R/Ts currently "queued" for upgrades--am I going to have to "re-queue" these?

(yes, I am Ben's nightmare. I buy tix for business ahead of time http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).


------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

it's coming....one thing at a time.....patience...it's coming

I learned something new about a 1/1/02 change. There are going to be two new fare buckets.

The caribbean upgrade of 15k will be available for J, P, Y , B

and the 30k award will be for C, M, H, L, Q, V

My assumption is the P is for codeshare customers on fullfare codeshare flights, and the L is for customers travelling on a discounted codeshare ticket.

Also worth noting the DM Center agent hadn't been educated on the upgrade automation supposedly starting next week.

Chris

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
it's coming....one thing at a time.....patience...it's coming</font>

I'm trying but it's hard.

What worries me is that a lot of us here either stay up to midnight (GP and SP) at our window or the CP get in the queue ahead of time. These will now be neutralized if the res agent asks at time of reservation if you want to go into the queue.

OTOH, many people make a reservation without talking to a US rep.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mileshound:
[B
What worries me is that a lot of us here either stay up to midnight (GP and SP) at our window or the CP get in the queue ahead of time. These will now be neutralized if the res agent asks at time of reservation if you want to go into the queue.
[/B]</font>

CPs &gt;7 days on discounted fares should not notice a change. GP and SP will notice a dropoff, as the "early bird" won't necessarily get the worm.

Or, a EUA-lite CO like effect.



------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
I learned something new about a 1/1/02 change. There are going to be two new fare buckets.

The caribbean upgrade of 15k will be available for J, P, Y , B

and the 30k award will be for C, M, H, L, Q, V

My assumption is the P is for codeshare customers on fullfare codeshare flights, and the L is for customers travelling on a discounted codeshare ticket.
</font>

I mentioned the sudden appearance of the P and L fare buckets a few weeks back when I was staring at ITN availability. We didnt have any idea then what they were for. But your guess is as good as any!

P is for a Profitable customer.

L is for someone who Loses money for the airline.

AtlanticBeach -- EVERY passenger makes money for the airline, it's just a question of how much money... if their capacity and inventory management is so screwed up that they lose money (which is the current situation...), then that's their problem. no passenger is individually a money-losing proposition when the commodity is as perishable as an airline seat.

this is precisely what usairways executives need to get into their heads.

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 10-11-2002).]

I would expect to see the number of upgrades earned being reduced from 8/10 per 10,000 miles to 4 per 10,000 miles flown. This would match the policy on AA and UA. Time to burn miles and bail out on this stupid airline!!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyerAl:
I would expect to see the number of upgrades earned being reduced from 8/10 per 10,000 miles to 4 per 10,000 miles flown. This would match the policy on AA and UA. Time to burn miles and bail out on this stupid airline!!!</font>

Let's see if I've got this... we'll implement all of the really bad parts of big airline (AA & UA) FF programs and provide none of the high end benefits, while we simultaneously treat our pax to all of the really bad things that we suppose "low fare" airlines impose while providing none of the benefits (fungibility and actual low fares).

Interesting strategy. I wonder why I didn't think of it?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mileshound:
What worries me is that a lot of us here either stay up to midnight (GP and SP) at our window or the CP get in the queue ahead of time. These will now be neutralized if the res agent asks at time of reservation if you want to go into the queue.</font>

As a new US Silver (soon to be Gold), do I understand correctly that I have to wait until the 24-hour window to call and request an upgrade? Please pardon my ignorance, but I couldn't find anything about the process for requesting an upgrade on usairways.com.

If so, and the system is changing to be more like UA, then I'm all for it. I like being able to request an upgrade at time of reservation and then just wait to see if it clears. I'd like to know though since I have a flight coming up in a few weeks that looks like a possibility (1 F seat assigned on both segments and F7 G7 showing in ITN).

The current process is that all GP and SP must wait until their window to request an upgrade. The exception is if you are on a Y or B fare, then you can request it at time of reservation.

Alright, so then when does the window open for Silver? (I imagine it's analogous for GPs except that the advance window in increased by two days.) Is it 12:01 am the day before my flight or 24 hours in advance? Say I have a 6pm flight on a Thursday.

FOH -- You may call a minute after midnight, Tuesday. (Technically 12:01a Wed)
The computer doesn't care what TIME your flight takes off.....just the DATE.

sbtinme, thanks for the info. I don't know how it will work with upgrades on UA for US FFers but UA clears upgrades at 24/48/72/100 hours before the flight, roughly on the hour.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
I learned something new about a 1/1/02 change. There are going to be two new fare buckets.

The caribbean upgrade of 15k will be available for J, P, Y , B

and the 30k award will be for C, M, H, L, Q, V

My assumption is the P is for codeshare customers on fullfare codeshare flights, and the L is for customers travelling on a discounted codeshare ticket.

Also worth noting the DM Center agent hadn't been educated on the upgrade automation supposedly starting next week.

Chris</font>

You were right on Chris. Here are the changes that are posted on the US web site - effective 1/1/03. Once again, we learn of the official change from a posting on the site.

http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/redeemingmiles/howtoredeem/upgrades.htm

The L class is not upgradable for transatlantic. This must be a V like fare.

An upgrade for C is more expensive.

Also "Members may upgrade one class of service on tickets purchased for travel solely on US Airways."

I'm sure there will be more to come - especially with award tickets.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sbtinme:
FOH -- You may call a minute after midnight, Tuesday. (Technically 12:01a Wed)
The computer doesn't care what TIME your flight takes off.....just the DATE.</font>


And remember, the 12:01 a.m. is Eastern time - meaning if you're on the West Coast, you can call at 9:01 p.m. (midnight on the East Coast) instead of having to wait.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mileshound:
http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/redeemingmiles/howtoredeem/upgrades.htm

The L class is not upgradable for transatlantic. This must be a V like fare.

An upgrade for C is more expensive.

Also "Members may upgrade one class of service on tickets purchased for travel solely on US Airways."

I'm sure there will be more to come - especially with award tickets.</font>

I'm not sure I like this new L fare thing ... we'll have to see if it results in an increase in K/Q fares (typically the cheapest upgradeable Transatlantic fares). I'm sure we'll see L fares non-upgradeable with SWU's at some point in the near future.

Note that they are also increasing the cost of Transatlantic one-way upgrades on cheap fares from 20k to 30k ... will make the choice of using miles over risking the wait on an SWU more difficult, that's for sure!

Why is the C class fare listed under both the expensive fares and the cheaper fares for the upgrading?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nawlinsdoc:
Why is the C class fare listed under both the expensive fares and the cheaper fares for the upgrading?</font>

Because it's cheap this year and expensive next year ... it's apparently a heavily discounted Envoy ticket.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
I'm not sure I like this new L fare thing ... we'll have to see if it results in an increase in K/Q fares (typically the cheapest upgradeable Transatlantic fares). I'm sure we'll see L fares non-upgradeable with SWU's at some point in the near future.

Note that they are also increasing the cost of Transatlantic one-way upgrades on cheap fares from 20k to 30k ... will make the choice of using miles over risking the wait on an SWU more difficult, that's for sure!</font>

I'm not sure I like where this is going either, but boy I'm being suckered in. Just booked two tickets DCA-MAN in March in Q class (not easy to do on the web) to confirm my Envoy seat with 20k each way. Come January that same thing will cost me 30k each way? Ouch.

So let me see. Come January 1, I can pay for a higher fare ticket for permission to blow 60k miles for an envoy seat and collect the miles. Or I can blow 80k miles for a free envoy seat but just won't collect the miles. The tide has shifted to the 80k award seat. Which means, naturally, that sometime soon that 80k award will increase to 100k or so. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Has anyone noticed the total removal of any mention of DUMPSYS/DUMPSYS02 upgrades anywhere?

FYI The implementation of the Upgrade Request has been postponed. No new info yet.
Also on an unrelated topic, starting today the courtesy hold on a DM award reservation will be 3 days , down from 7 days. This does not include International ( I think) or Diners Club mileage transfers. It was done due to the high demand of award requests and the fact that AM EX Rewards needs only 24 hours to convert to DM.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
starting today the courtesy hold on a DM award reservation will be 3 days , down from 7 days.</font>

This is not totally unreasonable. I mean, how long do you need to check on your other plans? Hopefully, more award seats will "seem" to be open this way.

I think three days is more then reasonable. It also makes it easier to know that people aren't "sitting" on flights they may or may not need.

Chris

I agree...with all the effort we put into convincing people to hold something....even if it is not their desired dates or times. It more quickly will open up a flight for someone who wanted those dates or times in the first place. Maybe someone can comment as well since our briefing says this is more in line with other airlines...(UA?). FYI again....the training for the electronic 500 miler upgrade doesn't even start until December.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
the training for the electronic 500 miler upgrade doesn't even start until December.</font>

This is fine with me, too. I like the way things are, for the most part.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BWI2MCO97:
It was done due to the high demand of award requests and the fact that AM EX Rewards needs only 24 hours to convert to DM.</font>

FYI, AMEX Membership Rewards transfers to US Airways Dividend Miles are instant, not 24 hours.

Depending on the time of day that you call..it could take up to 24 hours on AM EX.

3 day hold is reasonable? I don't think so. Most other airlines allow 14 days (and they were at 30 days until recently). How on earth are you supposed to book award flights a year (or 330 days, whatever is the max) in advance for a one or two week vacation to a popular destination if they only hold tickets for 3 days??? The outbound may be available, but the return can't be booked for another week or two. Without a longer hold, the outbound seats are likely to be gone when you try to book the return.

Mileking - that's domestic only. Carribean and Europe award booking hold-times shouldn't be affected if I read BWI's post correctly. Do you plan domestic vacations a year in advance?

PHL, if it's domestic only, that is certainly more tolerable. I'm not certain that BWI's post should be interpreted that way. Perhaps he can confirm.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
Note that they are also increasing the cost of Transatlantic one-way upgrades on cheap fares from 20k to 30k ... will make the choice of using miles over risking the wait on an SWU more difficult, that's for sure!</font>

I don't know how I missed that. OUCH.

The award vs. upgrade will be a tough choice - especially if you do not know what the bonuses will be.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jcrb:
Has anyone noticed the total removal of any mention of DUMPSYS/DUMPSYS02 upgrades anywhere? </font>

I don't remember that it was ever there.

Wife's silver packet which arrived on Sat had the 2 DMUPSYS02.

Count your blessings with respect to award mileage. UA recently raised the number of miles for one-way domestic upgrades to 15k from 10k, matching AA.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
Because it's cheap this year and expensive next year ... it's apparently a heavily discounted Envoy ticket.</font>

..and nearly impossible to buy - all known sources have disappeared.

Any new news on this? If my bonus miles go, and my upgrades go, then there's no remaining reason why I won't go, too.