America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - Elite status match info

I'm Chairman's preferred on US Airways and fly from phl to west coast quite often. I
have some recent issues with them and have requested an elite status match form from AW.
If I join now, and become Platinum will I have to fly 75,000 tier miles this year to
qualify for for the following year. Or should
I wait til the beginning of the new year?

Thanks in advance for advice to a AW newbie!

Just did that exact thing...comped from US Chairman's to HP Plat....you are expected to fly the full 75k by the end of the year to maintain PLAT for next year....but if you are "reasonably close" or are on a 75K per year pace... you can write a letter asking for an extension....I have this in writing.

I received Platinum status for the end of 2002 until 2/2003. Then they renewed my Platinum status for all of 2003 till 2/2004. I have only had 4 segments so far. Try it they might do the same when it's time to renew for you.

Upgrade

As this becomming more inevitable and I probably could approach 75,000 miles in 6 months, plus the fact that US is not planning
to continue their offer to post any 100k+
spillover to the next year's preferred mile ticker, give you give me any insight as to
1) the upgrade process for platinum members
and their companions;

2) what to expect from 1st class PHL-LAS &
PHL-PHX and shorter connecting fligts thru
LAS and PHX

3) Frequency of targeted and non-targeted
Flight Bonus mile promos.

I'm aware of the benefits compared to US as
far as 125% Bonus and only 75,000 required
miles, and other obvious facts from AW website. Thanks...

Upgrade process- 3 days out for PLATS...at airport only for companions...the 3 days out is suppposed to be automatic but is spotty...you're wayyyy better off calling at your wundow.

Service- PHL-LAS you will get a cold plate...no more cooked meals. It's usually chicken,beef or smoked salmon with a cinnamon apple crunch warm dessert....nothing special. And this is only if you're upgraded....if you go coach...you get NADA...NOTHING...ZILCH....AWA has a "no-food" policy in effect now and they welcome you to carry aboard anything which you may wish to eat...oh yeah...they do still have a drink service.
Short-hauls- In first you will get a pre-flight drink service ....in flight drink service and you may or may not get a bag of mixed nuts...sometimes yes....sometimes no.
Coach...you get in flight drink service only...I believe.
Remember ...they are touting themselves as a "low-fare" carrier nowadays...don't expect much and you'll be happy. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

What about award travel redemption? I have
heard it's a challange in that non-elites
must stand-by?

non elite= you're screwed. Again...don't expect much and you'll be fine. They get you from one place to the next and you'll never pay $2000 for a coach midweek ticket again.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by IMStill4Travel:
non elite= you're screwed. </font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif How so? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif