US Airways Dividend Miles - DM Mile upgrades vs. "Status" upgrades

I am a long time US2 and I am traveling next month DCA-LAX connecting in CLT both ways. I have upgraded the flights using 20K mikes. I have cleared all flights except for the LAX-CLT return on a Sunday afternoon. The return is on a A321 and there are 11 seats open.

Since, I have 3 out of 4 of upgrades already, when they release the other seats for upgrades, do I get them prior to any complementary upgrades that are requested by a US1? When would you call back for the upgrade to clear? I'm thinking I should do it before the US1 7 day window is open.

This has happened to me on 2 occasions. Theoretically, if mileage upgrade inventory opens up prior to the 7-day CP window, your return upgrade should clear automatically. The first time, I called back a day or so prior to the CP window opening up, and my upgrade had cleared. The second time, it did not, so I did web check-in and had to do the upgrade dance at the gate. The gate agent informed me that I would still have to take my rightful place (as a US2) in the queue, and the fact that the miles were deducted from my account was irrelevant. However, I was the first one they paged (and this was a Thursday AM out of LAX), so I'm not sure if the GA was wrong. My best advice if you do not clear in advance is to do web check-in at the 24 hour mark, and then politely inquire at the gate (or at the Club, if you're a member and it's re-opened by the time you fly). Logically, anybody who has "paid" for an upgrade using miles should clear before a free upgrade. However, once the upgrades are under gate control, I believe all upgrades are handled manually, so there's no telling what will go down.

just curious as to why a 20,000 mile upgrade would be used if you can upgrade free as a US2?

just curious as to why a 20,000 mile upgrade would be used if you can upgrade free as a US2?

Upgrades for US2s are hit or miss and more miss on peak days to LAX, SFO and almost impossible LAS. Using miles allows confirmable upgrade at time of booking.

Upgrades for US2s are hit or miss and more miss on peak days to LAX, SFO and almost impossible LAS. Using miles allows confirmable upgrade at time of booking.


Exactly why I used the points!!

However, once the upgrades are under gate control, I believe all upgrades are handled manually, so there's no telling what will go down.

There really is no telling what will go down. A great conversation with a friendly gate agent can go incredibly far in getting upgraded! Or not far at all...