US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Upgrade Premium Awards to Europe?

Does anyone know whether or not it is possible to upgrade premium coach award tickets (100K) each to Europe using DMUPSYS02 systemwide upgrades? If so, then can I do this at the time of reservation??

I'm thinking of trying to book two last-minute award tickets to Europe for just after Christmas until just after New Years. I'm guessing that standard awards in just about any class of service will be nearly impossible, hence the reason for asking about this option. Thanks!

You can only upgrade with paid tickets, not award tickets unless you get very lucky. And even then only fares above 'V' class.

I couldn't find it on the US Airways site, but Domestic Premium Awards are certainly upgradable. Wouldn't International Premium be the same?

Yes, premium awards are booked into Y class and can be upgraded at the time of booking.

Well I took a coach award from Norfolk to San Diego and another to Toronto. I tried from Norfolk to Charlotte & Pittsburg & then on to San Diego and Toronto, and then back again from both places through connections, so that's 6 attempts at trying to upgrade and playing dumb with a coupon. 5 times I was told "on mileage awards you cannot upgrade." Once from ORF-CLT the gate agent who sees me every single Monday morning said that he would do it, but I elected at that time as a Gold not to waste a coupon since there was no availability from CLT-SAN. If others are having success at upgrading I'd be really surprised. Perhaps it's easier at CP than at Gold. I haven't tried since I was gold.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Heinrich:
Well I took a coach award from Norfolk to San Diego and another to Toronto. I tried from Norfolk to Charlotte & Pittsburg & then on to San Diego and Toronto, and then back again from both places through connections, so that's 6 attempts at trying to upgrade and playing dumb with a coupon. 5 times I was told "on mileage awards you cannot upgrade." Once from ORF-CLT the gate agent who sees me every single Monday morning said that he would do it, but I elected at that time as a Gold not to waste a coupon since there was no availability from CLT-SAN. If others are having success at upgrading I'd be really surprised. Perhaps it's easier at CP than at Gold. I haven't tried since I was gold.</font>


It sounds as you were travelling on a standard coach award. Those are not upgradable. The premium coach awards which cost many more miles are booked in Y class and you can upgrade those awards with certificates at the time of booking.

Premium awards are definately upgradable.

The way US choose to say this is interesting. The US documentation/rules never state they are upgradable. What the do say is "Standard Awards and special fares like those purchased via auctions on priceline.com (E, W and Z fare classes) are not valid with upgrades."

They do not say awards are not upgradable but they say "standard" awards are not upgradable. By default, premium awards are upgradable because they are not excluded.

OK Thanks for clarifying.

Okay...well it sounds like I might be able to use a few SWU's to upgrade a premium award to Europe. Now the question is when--at the time of reservation or at my 7 day window? The North American upgrades seem to allow anytime in advance because the award is booked in Y. However, the back of the SWU certificates doesn't have "anytime in advance" language for transatlantic travel. What do you think?

If I do have to wait until seven days out, do you think I'd have any problems as a CP for a pair of upgrades (me + companion)?

I had this same question a few weeks back. I was told by the DM service center that you can not upgrade international awards. If you find out differently, please let me know.

Did anyone find out the answer to this question?

The answer this afternoon was

CKB-PIT (Beech 1900)
PIT-PHL (on list for first class)
PHL-LGW (Envoy across)

LGW-PIT (Envoy back)
PIT-CKB (Beech 1900)

This was a call TODAY for 100,000 premium award - International awards upgraded it at time of booking. Now, understand that the trip is only two days away, and my upgrades are the ones that specifically state that Y codes (which is what the 100,000 premium award books as) can be upgraded anytime (thus, at time of booking today) - I know there are some other types of upgrades out there, but as for the answer to the question ...

YES, premium awards over the pond can be upgraded.

The miles have come out of my account, but I'll believe it when I see it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Let you all know what happens ... leaving Friday !

What kind of upgrade did you use?

Using DMUPSYS02 certs

Called today and got same seat confirmations again (still crossing fingers as seats don't show up on virtually there). A co-worker did the same - and his seats show up virtually there -- bottom line is still a "yes" answer it appears.

Good luck !

Will be in 7B PHL-LGW tonight - might even be sporting a "pin" on my shoulder strap (glad it's a black strap - lol) - Will report on ticket story as it unfolds ...