US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Redeeming miles (25k vs 50k availability)

Was looking into a flight to MSY on a Saturday in March. 25k ticket was "sold out". 50k ticket came back green.

How legit is something like that? Wasn't there a web site (seatmap.com or some such) that listed seats available in certain classes? Do they show availability of coach award seats?

Is availability of award seats based on FF status? (In other words, if I check back at a later date will more award seats open up for that particular route?)

BTW, you need to be logged into your DM account to be able to see the 25k and 50k options (which come into play March 1). If you try to book awards from main page it shows 20k/40k options (not 25/50) for dates March 1 and beyond.

PS: 20/25k tickets require, I believe, a sat night stay. But several times (a year or two ago) I booked them and paid something like $25 to change the return date (after departure) because these tickets allow(ed) it (US agent told me about that trick). Is that still the case, or have they eliminated that ability?

Don't think it terms of seats, think in terms of "buckets." The buckets for the 20/25k tickets are very, very small on each flight.

The 40/50k tickets, OTOH, come out of the Y (full fare coach). This basically means that a premium coach award will get you any remaining coach seats available in the Y bucket (and these are typically the last actual seats on the plane). In this sense, you should always be able to get a "premium" coach award, if there are actual seats on the plane to be sold.

Sometimes they will open award inventory, although MSY any time during and around the Mardi Gras period might be impossible for the 25k awards. Also, if you are a CP, they waive the redeposit fees. Also, if you are any kind of US elite, you can upgrade the premium coach awards at the time of booking.

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Don't feed the trolls.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
Also, if you are any kind of US elite, you can upgrade the premium coach awards at the time of booking.

</font>

When you say upgrade, do you mean free for a CP, or with 10,000 miles.

I took a 35,000 last minute premium award this past weekend and neither the CP desk nor the TA, GA asked me about this. However flight to PHX was kind of full. When I got
to the gate at PHL, I didn't bother to ask
as I figured the usual 'can't upgrade an award ticket' response would be pending.



[This message has been edited by gar777 (edited Jan 12, 2004).]

MSY from Mardi Gras to the Jazz Festival is a difficult destination. People plan those trips very far in advance. Even now, a weekend ticket for the Jazz Festival (late April) is not easy to find at a cheap rate.

My guess is that all the limited coach awards were snapped up quickly. Also, instead of searching for a premium coach, you can also search for a restricted first class. Depending on your status, one or the other may be a better deal for you.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
Also, if you are any kind of US elite, you can upgrade the premium coach awards at the time of booking.

</font>

Apparently an elite can only upgrade his/her own award, and one other.

I just ticketed 3 Premium (40K) awards for next month. When I called to inquire about an upgrade, the agent first said that award travel could not be upgraded. When I pressed a bit, and mentioned the "P" bucket http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif, I was placed on hold and he/she checked. He/she then said I could upgrade only 2 awards (and I chose not to do that).

Anybody know if this is correct, or if I should try another call (another agent)? If true it doesn't seem an unreasonabe limitation - wouldn't want all the front seats going to award travelers (even Premium travelers). ....Though presumably the size of the "P" bucket should keep that from happening.

An elite (CPs use their existing unlimited supply, golds and silvers need to use e-upgrades out of the current bank) can upgrade themselves and one companion on the premium coach awards. Think of it like a full fare Y ticket--you can upgrade you and a companion, and do so at the time of booking (if P bucket is available).



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Don't feed the trolls.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Anybody know if this is correct, or if I should try another call (another agent)? If true it doesn't seem an unreasonabe limitation - wouldn't want all the front seats going to award travelers (even Premium travelers). ....Though presumably the size of the "P" bucket should keep that from happening.</font>

You are upgrading under the same rules as if you paid for the ticket, I believe. You can only upgrade yourself and one companion using upgrade certs. How the changes in March will affect this is still yet to determined.
I've UGed premium awards twice and when I have checked in at the airport, I have gotten a hard time doing this... I eventually prevailed, but had to argue a little bit ("Show me the rule that says you have to pay for a ticket to upgrade it, please.") When I've checked in online or at the kiosk, everything has worked out fine - and without the drama.

Cx4; thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dcjono:
[B] When I've checked in online or at the kiosk, everything has worked out fine - and without the drama.

</font>

dcjono- Interesting tidbit. Ever tried upgrading more than yourself and one other when you checked-in online or at the kiosk?

so what if there isn't a premium award available?
i am flying to paris on 40,000 miles standard award. but a quick check of the award chart reveals that US Air doesn't offer a premium coach award option for this trip. am i entitled then to an upgrade as silver? should i request at check in? or prior to flying? i don't have any e-upgrades, but can i use 10,000 miles from another account? for example, the ticket was secured using 40K from my wife's account, but i've 10K in my acccount to use to support an upgrade? is this possible?
thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rives21:

i am flying to paris on 40,000 miles standard award. but a quick check of the award chart reveals that US Air doesn't offer a premium coach award option for this trip. </font>

There is a premium award available to Europe ...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rives21:
so what if there isn't a premium award available?
i am flying to paris on 40,000 miles standard award. but a quick check of the award chart reveals that US Air doesn't offer a premium coach award option for this trip. </font>

The year-round premium coach award from N. America to Europe is 100k miles. It is impossible for there to be a standard award available and not a premium.

As for upgrading your current 40k award - there is no way unless you get a last minute comp upgrade if coach is oversold.



[This message has been edited by geo1005 (edited Jan 15, 2004).]

I've never had a problem from phone agents or check-in agents upgrading a premium coach award. For CP's I think premium coach is actually preferable to a standard first class ticket because it is much more flexible if you want to change it and securing the FC seat should be easier.

thanks for the quick responses. you guys and gals are great.