US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - They really don't want UA people upgrading.

I'm a CP. I had an itinerary today BWI-CLT-ORD. My CTO, who gets a load of biz from me for my company, gave me some DS0081's - the NA SPace Positive Upgrades. I called today and there was E space available. I confirmed seats. I have also done this on past reservations, by the way.

When I got to the airport, I found myself in center seats in the back. According to the CP line, someone in inventory management changed me out of those seats. Of course, they didn't give me my exit row seats back.

The rule is (today): A DS0081 like this can be used by anyone, regardless of status, if space is available. It can be confirmed the day before. HOWEVER - If you choose to earn UA miles, it can't be used. You needn't earn miles in ANY program to use the upgrade, but if you want your UA number in there, you can't be upgraded. The same is true for US20 awards - which I suppose I understand more. But a plain old comp upgrade - where it is NOT one of the T&C's, should not be an issue.

A cp supervisor told me "that's the rules that were sent to us". When I asked why it's not on the UG, he told me that he didn't know "when the upgrade was printed".

So - I can handle two short flights in Y. Not a big deal. But why the big deal about using an upgrade that they put out that anyone, regardless of fare (except awards) can use?

I guess if you want UA miles, they REALLY don't want you to UG - unless you want to purchase them. Which, by the way, no one seemed really clear on how to do either.

Best solution: 2 fields for FF#'s.

First (required) field to keep your frequent flyer number in for status/debiting upgrades, etc.

Second field (optional) can be used for overriding which FF account the miles are supposed to go into.

For instance, you're a US CP and UA 2P. You're flying US metal but want it to credit to your UA MP account (building up your MP account). Get the CP upgrades and MP miles.

I know that some reservation systems do include this but I don't know specifics.

-JC

Obvious solution: don't provide any FF # to US Scare. After the flights, send BPs to UA for credit along with MP #.

I would absolutely write to Consumer Affairs on this one. They can pull the Sine of whomever in inventory management changed your record. They should not be arbitrarily downgrading you just because your US# is not in the record. I would have been much more upset than it sounds like you were. I would have asked the airport supervisor for 2-3 cs0007 coupons. Well, maybe I would have just gotten one http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

has anyone flown recently with their UA number in the record and attempt to use a DX0081 to upgrade a domestic flight? have they still tried to move you to the back?

rich

Could you submit the coupon, get your BP, pass security, and then swap out your number at the gate or Club?

shinbal - at least it wasnt a transcon! ;)

let us know what response you get.

Not putting your US number on the reservations probably is not an option, I'd be willing to bet that the certificates specifically state that you must be a Dividend Miles member to use them, and the only way to confirm that is to have your Dividend Miles number on the reservation. I seem to recall the free upgrade certs from Marriott a few years ago had those exact conditions, and I bet the ones you're talking about do also.

Not putting your US number on the reservations probably is not an option, I'd be willing to bet that the certificates specifically state that you must be a Dividend Miles member to use them, and the only way to confirm that is to have your Dividend Miles number on the reservation. I seem to recall the free upgrade certs from Marriott a few years ago had those exact conditions, and I bet the ones you're talking about do also.

Actually the only Terms that mentions Dividend Miles are:

5. Dividend miles program members will receive coach mileage for travel using this certificate.

and

Not valid for use with Dividend Miles Award Certificates, Round-trip Flight Credits or Travel Vouchers.


With US Air part of Star I would imagine this issue would come up a lot now. (ie. not just with UA numbers) Does anyone have access to the actualy Star File?

rich

Hmm, I also plan to use my DS0081/DS0082 coupons on an upcoming US flight while earning MP miles. When someone figures out the best way to do this, please post it! For the record, I have a US Air FF#, my girlfriend (who'll be travelling w/me) does not...

I want to upgrade PHL-SNN and have enough USAir miles; Only the oubound is available to upgrade. I want to earn miles on UA to keep status. Was advised have to have USAir # in records to upgrade w/its miles. If this is so, is it possible to have USAir # on upgraded/outbound portion and the UA # on the return portion?