US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Any US flyers using HP out west?

In anticipation of the merger, are any US DM members flying/collecting miles with HP? What routes are you flying?

I just flew OAK-PHX-EWR on HP and back instead of my typical SFO-PHL/PIT/CLT-EWR on US. The fare was significantly cheaper on HP and previous to the announcement I would have still booked on US (and prayed for an upgrade and gotten my 50% bonus). I know the merger is by no means guaranteed, but I'm trying to stay optomistic that soon my FlightFund and DM accounts will merge.

It was perfectly reasonable Y service. Flights were on time.

I've also just been notified that I'm going to be transferring to the EWR/NYC vicinity permanently. So it looks like I'll be flying more US and less HP.

Just before the merger announcement I was granted a comp to HP Platinum. As I reported here, (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=436864) my first HP experience was great. They will win all of my NYC-PHX business, and possibly other West Coast routes.

I also received the comp to Platinum, and will be trying HP in the very near future--one maybe 2 transcon runs in July.

It will be interesting to see how they compare, but from what I have heard, I am encouraged!!

Moved from WV to SLC in August 2003. DL refused comp twice - HP comped platinum for US1. They've been great !! Around 90-90% upgrade rate and service to most places except itnl east /west. Great phone service as well - and nice auto-upgrade notification via email. Free standby, etc ... etc ...

~Keith

I've started the other way -- a HP Platinum now flying US in the East. May as well build up the US miles in anticipation of the combination. I've got little to lose.

Come to think of it, do you think US would comp my HP status at this point? I'd qualify for Chairman's Preferred, though it would probably be tough to prove given that HP doesn't have that level.

Do you suppose that if the programs get combined at some point before the end of the year that EQM's for both airlines will be merged and counted toward '06 qualification? That would sure be sweet! :)

I've started the other way -- a HP Platinum now flying US in the East. May as well build up the US miles in anticipation of the combination. I've got little to lose.

Come to think of it, do you think US would comp my HP status at this point? I'd qualify for Chairman's Preferred, though it would probably be tough to prove given that HP doesn't have that level.

Do you suppose that if the programs get combined at some point before the end of the year that EQM's for both airlines will be merged and counted toward '06 qualification? That would sure be sweet! :)

Interesting question. It is now official that US Airways and America West are merging, so it is just a matter of time before they combine their frequent flyer programs. However, if you want to experience the already existing benefits of Chairman's Preferred membership, then you can try to fax US Airways a copy of your HP Platinum card as well as a recent statement. Please note that US Airways will only match Chairman's Preferred status if you have flown at least 100,000 miles, certainly not 75,000.

I've done roughly 4-5 PIT-SBA flights on HP. My only bad experience was a b*tchy FA. Otherwise, good all around.

SLC
Same here, have used HP to get to SLC.

I've always flown HP out west and always have had great service. Like I've said before, US does some great things and flies where I need to on the east. Likewise, HP does some really great things too, and can get you just about anywhere out west. They each have their strengths, and hopefully with the merger we'll see the best of both airlines prevail.

. . . Please note that US Airways will only match Chairman's Preferred status if you have flown at least 100,000 miles, certainly not 75,000.

I would expect that -- I think it's only fair. The difficulty is that while I had well over 100K FlightFund EQM's last year, the top tier in the program is Platinum, which requires only 75K for qualification. Consequently, I don't have a 100K card to show them, or any real good way to prove it.

In reality, though, even if I was only comped to Gold, I'd be far better off than I am with the zero status I enjoy now.

I would expect that -- I think it's only fair. The difficulty is that while I had well over 100K FlightFund EQM's last year, the top tier in the program is Platinum, which requires only 75K for qualification. Consequently, I don't have a 100K card to show them, or any real good way to prove it.

In reality, though, even if I was only comped to Gold, I'd be far better off than I am with the zero status I enjoy now.

They normally take your statement into account in addition to your actual FF membership level when judging comped status. My guess is when they see that you're Platinum on HP and that your statement says you flew 100,000+ miles (does it?), they'll probably give you CP.

Interesting question. It is now official that US Airways and America West are merging, so it is just a matter of time before they combine their frequent flyer programs. However, if you want to experience the already existing benefits of Chairman's Preferred membership, then you can try to fax US Airways a copy of your HP Platinum card as well as a recent statement. Please note that US Airways will only match Chairman's Preferred status if you have flown at least 100,000 miles, certainly not 75,000.

Just a note of warning: it's absolutely NOT official that the two airlines will be merging, only that they have discussed a merger and have a plan in place. The court gave US 30 days to find a different alternative and we are still within that period. Additionally, I believe the break-up fee was quite low, so anything could still happen. Not to say that it is unlikely that the 2 will merge, but just to use caution when assuming that your miles will be combined at this stage in the game.

Just a note of warning: it's absolutely NOT official that the two airlines will be merging, only that they have discussed a merger and have a plan in place. The court gave US 30 days to find a different alternative and we are still within that period. Additionally, I believe the break-up fee was quite low, so anything could still happen. Not to say that it is unlikely that the 2 will merge, but just to use caution when assuming that your miles will be combined at this stage in the game.

Agreed. Although I suspect that they will, in the end, merge. It really seems like a great pairing -- although I'm PO'd about the cut of JFK-LAX service from the route network :mad:

although I'm PO'd about the cut of JFK-LAX service from the route network :mad:

I share your feelings about that route.

I would expect that -- I think it's only fair. The difficulty is that while I had well over 100K FlightFund EQM's last year, the top tier in the program is Platinum, which requires only 75K for qualification. Consequently, I don't have a 100K card to show them, or any real good way to prove it.

In reality, though, even if I was only comped to Gold, I'd be far better off than I am with the zero status I enjoy now.

When I worked for US, until 2003, no one was ever comped Chairman, or matched status. However, times they are a changin.' I recommend sending a letter to Carol Blazer at the DMSC along with a copy of your last statement of 2004 and see what she has to say. Don't forget a copy of your new HP elite card. I definitely agree with your feelings regarding a Gold match if not CHP. Unlimited domestic upgrades and 100% bonus miles are what they are. Good luck...let us know what they say.