US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Questionos about switching to US Air

Sorry 'bout the typo in the subject... cought it too late

Hello,
In my continuing effort to move away from Delta over to US Air I have been researching a few things. I know most- if not all- of these questions have been covered in the past on this board; however I could not find much.
One of my biggest ties to Delta is my Crown Room membership. I am seriously considering a US Air club membership. When I went to do some research I found this language on the site:
• Complimentary soft drinks, juice, coffee, cappuccino, espresso, breakfast pastries and afternoon snacks.
• Cocktail service, including premium spirits, wine and beer, for a nominal fee.
If cocktails are not free, how much are they? In the delta club food and drinks are free… this was easy to justify b/c I used to spend $15 at the airport before each flight for a beer and snack.

Secondly, can someone explain upgrades for silver folks? From what I can tell everyone from the top tier down through silver can use their upgrades at anytime before the flight. Am I mistaken here?

Finally, if anyone has experience with Delta and UA and has any pros or cons to share, I’d be much appreciative.

My main reasons for leaving Delta are uncomfortable coach seats (I really like UA’s newer planes) and their changes to their frequent flyer program. My company requires me to purchase lower fares which results in the in ability to upgrade and earning only ½ the miles flow on Delta. Delta has also dropped segments; on US Air I’d earn 4 almost every trip (every other week).

Again, any thoughts/suggestion would be appreciated

Nick


p.s. sorry for my

[This message has been edited by SpaceBass (edited 04-15-2003).]

I might be able to answer a few of your questions...

First, In 20 years of flying, I have found US Airways's customer service to be VASTLY superior to Delta's...and most other airlines for that matter. that alone keeps me giving my business to them.

While my "general dividend miles member" level is roughly equivalent to pond scum, I do know that for Silver status, upgrades are permitted anytime in advance ONLY when traveling on a Y or B fare class. IF your company instructs you to only travel on restricted tickets, you can only upgrade within one day of departure even with your silver status.

My father was silver preferred 2 years ago (currently gold), and he had trouble with using upgrades many times last year. Remember, after 9/11 many airlines cut the minimum levels to reach preferred status. this resulted in more people than normal reaching those preferred levels, and in turn, more upgrades than normal flooded the market. more Joe Travelers with preferred status means that 737 First class cabin fills up MUCH quicker. As the levels required to reach preferred have returned to their "original heights" those excess preferred flyers and their upgrades will also return to more normal levels...which SHOULD help you securing that FC seat a little eaasier!

...Sorry if this was rambling...its 12:30am and I'm tired! hopefully others can answer the rest of your questions.

On US, all miles (except bonus miles) count towards status with a very few exceptions (trips obtained through PriceLine, Cruise companies). Paid FC nets a 50% bonus of status miles. Additionally, you can earn US miles (that do count for status) on any UA flight.

US does have some of the nicer clubs, but alcohol is not free. Mixed drinks are $5 and beers are $4. The snacks are very basic. Things like pretzels and trail mix. Additionally, US club members can use UA clubs if they are flying UA that day.

I think that it is rather difficult currently for Silvers to upgrade. The reasons for this are decreased mainline capacity and the fact that most of the 'big' fliers are still out there every week. Note that US does give it's Silvers transatlantic upgrades (not sure if Delta does).

If you are flying 4 segments every other week, you might contact the Dividend Miles folks about a challenge that would allow you to reach Gold status more quickly. At the rate you mention, you should be able to obtain CP status when you have a full calendar year of flying in with US.

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 04-16-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BillMorrow:
Note that US does give it's Silvers transatlantic upgrades (not sure if Delta does).
</font>

Delta does not, I just got these in the mail and am quite excited about them
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">


If you are flying 4 segments every other week, you might contact the Dividend Miles folks about a challenge that would allow you to reach Gold status more quickly. At the rate you mention, you should be able to obtain CP status when you have a full calendar year of flying in with US.

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 04-16-2003).]</font>
Does anyone know more about this?
I tried with Delta a year ago and they just brushed me off. I would love to call US and tell them "hey, I'm going to fly about 80 more segs this year... can I challange CP or Gold?" I'd do it in a heart beat.
Does anyone have expirence with this?

Thanks again for the help!
Nick

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">can I challange CP or Gold?" I'd do it in a heart beat.
Does anyone have expirence with this?</font>
Please do a search.

Thank you, Upgrade Me.

There is plenty of "expirence" to go around if you take the time to look.

Call and find out. The current state of promotions is unknown. Find out. As most of us are US1's or US2's we are not in the loop to current promotions for those lower than us. Nor do we care really.

Good luck.



[This message has been edited by trvlr64 (edited 04-16-2003).]

trvlr64,

Could you please remove the phone numbers for the Gold/CP desks? A LOT of people read these boards. The Gold/CP staff are rather limited (especially today). If non-Gold and CP members start calling those numbers, it will make it tougher for those of us who are Gold/CP to get through on a timely basis. Non-disclosure of these type of phone numbers has always been a generally-held standard of FT members from the beginning.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BillMorrow:
trvlr64,
Could you please remove the phone numbers for the Gold/CP desks? A LOT of people read these boards. The Gold/CP staff are rather limited (especially today). If non-Gold and CP members start calling those numbers, it will make it tougher for those of us who are Gold/CP to get through on a timely basis. Non-disclosure of these type of phone numbers has always been a generally-held standard of FT members from the beginning.</font>

I agree. The mods should delete these numbers, since USAIR themselves basically tells you not to give these numbers away. The Chairmans number won't help anyone anyway, since it will kick you out.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nawlinsdoc:
The Chairmans number won't help anyone anyway, since it will kick you out.</font>


True.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by trvlr64:
Call and find out. The current state of promotions is unknown. Find out. As most of us are US1's or US2's we are not in the loop to current promotions for those lower than us. Nor do we care really.

Good luck.

[/B]</font>

Better now?!

FYI.....if you press "ZERO" 4 times fast you can bypass all the recorded messages and being placed on extended hold even if there are only a few agents working. I did it tonight with United after waiting for over 30 minutes for an agent. It works.


Second comment....if USAirways really cared about the "elite" status then they wouldn't have these promotion challenges that dilute the US1 and US2 levels.

What I suggest this original poster does is email or call the airline and ask if he can be given a complimentary status upgrade. Lord knows America West does it, American did it for me with conditions, and now I'm waiting for Northwest's card.

trvlr64,

Thanks!

Thirty minute wait times on the CP line...Ouch!

Was the hold time for CP or United? I have not had to wait more than 30 seconds for a CP line.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by planeluvr:
Was the hold time for CP or United? I have not had to wait more than 30 seconds for a CP line.</font>

This HOLD time was for United Airlines last night. Actually I tried earlier in the day and after 15 minutes I gavce up thinking it would be better later at night.....wrong.

So remember.....4 "zeros" and you get right in.