US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Upgrading E-fares

I have seen some discussion over on the United forum about US's change in policy toward upgrading E-fares (United still won't allow it, officially, but some have claimed to hear differently from agents).

I searched through the US forum to find more information on this, but was not successful. I am curious because I fly fairly often SFO-PHL on weekend E-fares and they are never upgradeable. The last time I checked was two weeks ago when I flew.

I tried upgrading via the website, and got a message back that my fare was ineligible for upgrades. I also tried via telephone when changing my seats (even though I'm Gold, the website still offers only awful seats and the Gold desk seems to have no trouble switching me). But the Gold agent also said no upgrading on E-fares, period. I also tried at check-in and even at the USAirways Club at SFO and was told, "No, no, no!"

So, I am wondering where the information comes from that since the start of 2002 E-fares have been upgradeable. Is it only with miles? Or with 800-mile certs? What about international E-fares, using Systemwide coupons or miles?

Thanks for any guidance.




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~ Friends don't let friends fly coach ~

Wow ... you've gotten some pretty bad agents. E-fares are upgradeable, they were not upgradeable in 2001 (after having been upgradeable previously), but that change was rescinded at the beginning of 2002 and have been upgradeable all year. Basically, the only time they weren't upgradeable was 2001, before and after that they have been.

Horrid agents.

The key language in 2001 when e-savers were not upgradable was there was a note to that effect in the fare rules.

This year's e-savers are typically V fares, and if you check the fare rule do not mention anything about not being able to upgrade.

I've done in half a dozen times easy (including to/from SFO) this year.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Does this include the special E-savers that USAirways announces weekly?

Are either the domestic or internation versions of those upgradeable?

When referring to E-savers, I'm referring to the weekly web specials that US e-mails out on Wednesday (and can be found elsewhere a bit earlier if you know where to look http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).
The domestic e-savers should be able to be upgraded via e-upgrade, NAU, miles, cs007, SWU, or any other means of typically supporting a North American upgrade.

I have not purchased an international e-saver in some time; however, I would assume that those come from a fare class which is [b]not[b] able to be upgraded by miles, SWU, or any typical avenue.

I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

International E-savers are "V" class, which are "not upgradeable", but I've heard of people using old (2001) SWUs to successfully upgrade (at the mercy of the res/airport agents)