US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - The Richest Program in the World?"

Stacked up against the competition,
the new US Airways Dividend Miles
program is being hailed as
“...the richest program
in the world.”

Randy Petersen, Inside Flyer

Looks like the new program is about to be rolled out.....

You can decide for yourself. Page has links to other aspects of the new program.

Richest Program in the World (http://www2.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/programdetails/preferredguide.aspx)

<Barf> :p What hubris :td:

One way upgrades 10K. Good move. The star alliace/partner award chart (which is now readable) had no shocking bad news that I saw. Qantas still at 105K/135K for BC/FC. Royal Jordanian is expensive but there are other options. I actually think they did a good job on the presentation of the chart.

In trolling around the site, I didn't see any really bad news that we haven't heard about before. I'm sure it is there somewhere though.

One more thing. Note that it is the new site. I don't know if I've just been dense not to see this, but I assume this is the new usairways.com. Not too attractive, but not horrible either. Let's hope functionality is good.

P.S. Why couldn't they have gone with that usairwaysinfo.com design. That was one of the best I've seen!

Regarding award tickets:

"# A quick ticketing fee of $50 will apply to all award reservations purchased within 14 days of travel."

Shame FT does not have an "FU" smiley, if you know what I mean.

The list of blackout dates is as long as BBB's last game of risk.

Off-peak awards are history (altough this may have already happened and I missed it).

The gofirst thing is now legit, and you can assume it's being peddled before your upgrades are clearing at the gate.


And I just booked off another 120k of award travel. As I'd have to stretch go get silver, I see no point in trying to hoard these miles anymore, and I figure I'd book them before they spring the rule changes.

Hey Doug??????


BITE ME

Try answering an e-mail!! You and your sycophant Scott. Just remember without customers you aren't worth a crap!

You can tell this site was designed by the HP people. The left-descending banner, left column, and pulldowns all scream America West.

http://www2.usairways.com/awa/default.aspx (new US website)

http://www.usairways.com/ (old US website)

http://www.americawest.com/awa/ (old HP website)


OH, for crying in the sink.........I hate the old HP online checkin process. It takes too friggin long and involves too many pages. I can only hope this has been streamlined like the original US online checkin. Maybe they need to look at every airlines online checkin webpages to create a user friendly version, but somehow I doubt that they would. :mad:

FYI.....I figured I see if I could access my DM account on the new website. NOPE. Not ready yet.

I'm going to miss the old US website. Atleast I could use it without wanting to strangle someone.

The good news ? Free Club memberships.

The bad news ? You need to fly 150k miles....or 150 segments...

I pity the guy/gal that flies 149,000 miles this year. 49k miles will not roll over...and you won't even get a club membership out of it.

No reduced $$$ rate for CP's....and no ability to cash in miles for membership.

I echo the sentiments expressed earlier.

Stacked up against the competition,
the new US Airways Dividend Miles
program is being hailed as
“...the richest program
in the world.”

Randy Petersen, Inside Flyer

:rolleyes:

Sometimes I really have to wonder about Randy.


and no ability to cash in miles for membership

Gotta love AA on this one.

Level -- New/Renewal

Dirt --- 70k/60k
Gold -- 55k/50k
Plat --- 50k/45k
EXP --- 45kk/35k

In addition, they have this 25th Anniversary offer. (http://www.aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewPromotionsDetail.jhtml?fileName=elite_rewards_ 2006.xml&repositoryName=PromotionContentRepository&itemDescriptor=PromotionContent&anchorLocation=Homepage_Bottom)

I don't care if the site is attractive or not. I just want the darn thing to work correctly. I see a place on there that we will be able to bring our profile over from the OLD US Airways site. Let's see if that will work in the future. Where in the heck did the terminal maps go? I hope they pull that over.

T

Regarding award tickets:

"# A quick ticketing fee of $50 will apply to all award reservations purchased within 14 days of travel."

Shame FT does not have an "FU" smiley, if you know what I mean.

The list of blackout dates is as long as BBB's last game of risk.

Off-peak awards are history (altough this may have already happened and I missed it).

The gofirst thing is now legit, and you can assume it's being peddled before your upgrades are clearing at the gate.


And I just booked off another 120k of award travel. As I'd have to stretch go get silver, I see no point in trying to hoard these miles anymore, and I figure I'd book them before they spring the rule changes.

Anybody yet see whether Elites are still not abused by blackout dates? Or, are they for the 19th time now screwing us in that regard as well?

Of course, up until now there has been nothing for standard award availablity...not one...on otherwise blacked out dates for elites. 100% of them have, interestingly, been at premium mileage levels. So, if US has canceled this elite benefit it will be because "usage was too low to continue this elite benefit". Once again, redeeming twice as many miles for something that is worth have as much is a sign of ignorance.

Some day they will learn...or another better airline will before them...that they soon need to choose a couple of FF populations that they are just not going to screw with under any circumstance. No blackout dates, no capacity controls, no nickles and dimes, no change fees, no miuimum fare for upgrades, no nothing. Then whatever airline that is will learn that their revenue, P & L and margin will improve by 8% to 14%. Then, they will stop screwing with all passengers and improve things by a little more than twice that.

I don't think that Doug has the brains or the guts to do that, so it is likely that it willl be AA. Doug and his team are still thinking in the calcified terms that have created so many bancruptcies in the airline sector, including in the companies that have employed him and them.

I like Randy generally and find him to be a good source of valid information so I certainly hope that his view is not driven by ad revenue with so many other advertisers on this sight. But, he apparently doesn't fly US much, has not tried to book an Envoy or standard mileage ticket in the last 3 months, has not researched the newly tripled capacity controls and blackout dates, has not waited for one of these "rich" upgrades to clear at the window, has not dined on US, has never spoken to Lufthansa, Air New Zealand or 2 other star alliance carriers who now drastically restrict DM redemption on their systems because of tripled lack of availability on US for the customers of those carriers, and has never sent a suggestive letter to US so that he can see the ignorance that ensues on the part of US.

Awards with newly tripled capacity controls and blackout dates, and awards that are simply never available even when no seats are yet sold on a given flight are not awards at all. They are simply false advertising and marketing that is fraudulently intended to mislead flyers.

The US program is, in a very quiet way, now bordering on the worst one out there...even at the CP level unfortunately.

[QUOTE=ByrdluvsAWACO]:rolleyes:

Sometimes I really have to wonder about Randy.[QUOTE]

Leave Randy alone!

He happens to be a "Stand Up Guy". Does he have to from time to time deal with the realities of his business? Of course he does, just like all of us.

Randy and I have had a somewhat rancorous relationship, but when push came to shove he did the right thing and I'm on his side. Did he say what he needed to say to keep US's ad dollars flowing so this site could be free? Probably and I'm OK with that.

Did he say what he needed to say to keep US's ad dollars flowing so this site could be free? Probably and I'm OK with that.

That's what I was wondering about. You just answered it.

I said that!

Not Randy. Mellow out OK? Let's see what happens.

Looks like the old HP A&B program will continue. The best way of saying thanks to an employee.


edited to add: I'm shocked. They actually put that they've received the Freddie Award for the best elite program three years running. The nerve! What happened this year?

I said that!

Not Randy. Mellow out OK? Let's see what happens.

Hey, I'm mellow. I wasn't trying to verbally assault anyone.

However, I have to question someone who pronounces DM as the "richest program in the world" when the evidence here and on HP's site screams to the contrary.

FlightFund was going downhill well before the merger, and I see no evidence that the trend will be reversed.

Is it my imagination or does the platinum preferred page talk about use of the chairman's preffered desk liason's as a benefit. Could they be adding the Chariman's desk as a perk for Plats? It may just be a typo since this looks a lot like a beta site to me.

So I must be missing something here -- I see precious little changes to the overall program. What major nuggets have I overlooked?

As a long time Gold, I'll hardly be affected from what I can gather here.

Why are some up in arms over this??

:confused: :confused: :confused:

So I must be missing something here -- I see precious little changes to the overall program. What major nuggets have I overlooked?

As a long time Gold, I'll hardly be affected from what I can gather here.

Why are some up in arms over this??

:confused: :confused: :confused:


I have the same question. The only real decreases in value I can detect is the % of bonus miles for silver and gold and the loss of the rollover option for CP.

I have the same question. The only real decreases in value I can detect is the % of bonus miles for silver and gold and the loss of the rollover option for CP.

Isn't the 50% drop in bonus miles for Golds enough? No other major airline gives a 50% bonus to their mid-tier elites. I'll be a Platinum this year but I'll drop back to Gold for next. When the time comes I may see if UAL will do a match to PE and I'll be off to the friendly skies.

I have the same question. The only real decreases in value I can detect is the % of bonus miles for silver and gold and the loss of the rollover option for CP.

The major point is that US hopes you will fall for assuming that what is not in print and what has not been fully disclosed is not a big deal. The bottom line is this: every mile you have, or earn, is now worth 1/3 as much as it was in 2005.

Capacity controls for everything from free US seats to free US upgrades have been increased by 200%. US Blackout dates were increased by 200%. Available free seats on 4 of the star alliance carriers have been reduced by 70%. You now pay $50 for free reservations within 14 days, a transaction that costs US $0 in cost of goods sold. Standard mileage awards have been reduced by 45% forcing you to redeme twice as many miles for a ticket. If you don't believe these facts, go ahead and try any or all of the above transactions. The longer the uninformed people stay committed to flying US, the worse those numbers are going to get.

All of the people who think this new program is great are unfortunately thinking in terms of mileage accrual instead of mileage redemption. That is precisily what US is hoping for. 1,000,000,000 miles that you can't redeem for when you want to travel are a waste. BUT, because some mistaken people think that mileage accrual is the key to happiness, they keep forking over money...while fares are continually increased by this "low fare carrier".

For as long as you breathe their exhaust you will be lulled into the false euphoric state that US wants you to exist within.

Did we ever get a definitive answer on companion upgrades (i.e. will a CP still be able to upgrade their companion with them at the 7-day e-upgrade window on domestic flights)?

Did we ever get a definitive answer on companion upgrades (i.e. will a CP still be able to upgrade their companion with them at the 7-day e-upgrade window on domestic flights)?

It appears so. The new Preferred Upgrade Chart (http://www2.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/preferred/upgradeschart.aspx) states:


Companion traveling on the same itinerary* = Same as member

* Request through reservations

longing4piedmont, I'd like to read what Randy had to say. Where did you find his "richest program in the world" comments?

Thanks!

It appears so. The new Preferred Upgrade Chart (http://www2.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/preferred/upgradeschart.aspx) states:


Companion traveling on the same itinerary* = Same as member

* Request through reservations

Thanks, AZ! For me, this was a key benefit and I am glad that they are keeping it. ^

I don't see any huge surprises there, but I wish they would stop using the term "unlimited upgrades" when they are really quite limited, especially if you are silver.

:td: The Dividend Miles program is a shadow of its former self. Award costs have increased, the off-peak awards are gone, award availability is much more restricted, and elite benefits have been chopped. Can't see how this qualifies as being a "rich" program, let alone "the richest in the world.

:td: The Dividend Miles program is a shadow of its former self. Award costs have increased, the off-peak awards are gone, award availability is much more restricted, and elite benefits have been chopped. Can't see how this qualifies as being a "rich" program, let alone "the richest in the world.
Thesaurus was on the fritz.

Should read "The Costliest Program in the World".

-JC

longing4piedmont, I'd like to read what Randy had to say. Where did you find his "richest program in the world" comments?

Thanks!
The quote was on the CP benefit page on one of the links provided (which now appears to have been taken down by our friends in the castle)

I'm also guessing it was taken out of context. If you read it closely he says it was being hailed as the "richest" and did not say he said it.

The quote was on the CP benefit page on one of the links provided (which now appears to have been taken down by our friends in the castle). . .

Yep, the site seems to have been taken down.

Yep, the site seems to have been taken down.
Looks like they really do read FT after all. :D

My concern in posting this, although it was already posted on another thread in this forum was that this was a test site. Many of the things I've been told were getting ready to happen were not borne out by these pages. If the information I've heard is real, there are in fact some changes coming. I can only hope I'm wrong on that front.

Yep, the site seems to have been taken down.

They also had a link to a bonus "Fly AWA for 15,000 bonus miles" or something like that.

And we know that ain't gonna happen.

I like Randy generally and find him to be a good source of valid information so I certainly hope that his view is not driven by ad revenue with so many other advertisers on this sight. But, he apparently doesn't fly US much, has not tried to book an Envoy or standard mileage ticket in the last 3 months, has not researched the newly tripled capacity controls and blackout dates, has not waited for one of these "rich" upgrades to clear at the window, has not dined on US, has never spoken to Lufthansa, Air New Zealand or 2 other star alliance carriers who now drastically restrict DM redemption on their systems because of tripled lack of availability on US for the customers of those carriers, and has never sent a suggestive letter to US so that he can see the ignorance that ensues on the part of US.



And what would be those two other star alliance carriers to whom you've spoken and been given this detailed information?

Personally, I called this morning for an early July award from SIN to PHL and was given FC choices going east on SQ, transferring to US FC in LAX or going west and transferring to US Envoy in AMS. Multiple SQ FC choices: nice! ^

It couldn't have been easier.

And what would be those two other star alliance carriers to whom you've spoken and been given this detailed information?

Personally, I called this morning for an early July award from SIN to PHL and was given FC choices going east on SQ, transferring to US FC in LAX or going west and transferring to US Envoy in AMS. Multiple SQ FC choices: nice! ^

It couldn't have been easier.

SQ is not one of them. The other two out of the 4 I cannot share here because I have been sworn to secrecy by my internal contacts.

I cannot say this for sure, but it appears preliminarily that the star alliance might be coming apart somewhat reportedly because of the inability of the non-USA carriers to get seats for their FF members as the result of excess capacity controls on US. Apparently, UA is the only USA star alliance carrier that makes reasonable numbers of seats available.

Yep, the site seems to have been taken down.

:D I was called derogatory things a few weeks ago by two people on this board when I referred to Doug and his yes-men as "disingenuous" and "unseasoned". They apparently didn't even know enough to hide their new website on a secure server within their web development firm's domain (like we and everyone else always does with new web designs).

The funnest part about watching the failure cycle and increasing velocity thereof at US is observing the downstream (future) evidence of it. Everyone will continue to see more of this evidence as the failure unfolds in terms of US travel demand disintegration...unless Doug wakes up, ignores his employment contract, and says to himself, "it is now time to start doing this stuff alot smarter". :D

SQ is not one of them. The other two out of the 4 I cannot share here because I have been sworn to secrecy by my internal contacts.

I cannot say this for sure, but it appears preliminarily that the star alliance might be coming apart somewhat reportedly because of the inability of the non-USA carriers to get seats for their FF members as the result of excess capacity controls on US. Apparently, UA is the only USA star alliance carrier that makes reasonable numbers of seats available.

Personally, I have come up against more capacity controls on UA than on other *A airlines. Flying from ROC - KIX in late 10/06, I was able to book a business class award on a combination of US and ANA or US + Asiana + ANA, but not on UA for any of 4 possible dates. The US CSA was very friendly and helpful, taking several minutes to try 5 different combinations for me. She said "it's almost impossible to get business class award tickets to Asia on UA".

SQ is not one of them. The other two out of the 4 I cannot share here because I have been sworn to secrecy by my internal contacts.


As the OP I guess I can ask an OT question? When do you get a chance to fly? Going back over all your post, you have not missed posting but one day since you signed up. I fly six to eight legs a week and there are many days I don't get a chance to even log on.

Just wondering.......

As the OP I guess I can ask an OT question? When do you get a chance to fly? Going back over all your post, you have not missed posting but one day since you signed up. I fly six to eight legs a week and there are many days I don't get a chance to even log on.

Just wondering.......

I am in Montreal now as a matter of fact. I actually have internet wherever I am. I have it in flight as well on our two corporate aircraft. I am usually on 3 to 5 times a day from wherever I am for many other reasons than this board. Last week it was Mexico City and Porto Alegre, Brazil. It's actually pretty easy.

I am in Montreal now as a matter of fact. I actually have internet wherever I am. I have it in flight as well on our two corporate aircraft. I am usually on 3 to 5 times a day from wherever I am for many other reasons than this board. Last week it was Mexico City and Porto Alegre, Brazil. It's actually pretty easy.
How do you do it inflight. I could use that info to help keep caught up on the 100 or so emails I get everyday. :cool:

Personally, I called this morning for an early July award from SIN to PHL and was given FC choices going east on SQ, transferring to US FC in LAX or going west and transferring to US Envoy in AMS. Multiple SQ FC choices: nice! ^


Finding one SQ F seat is generally doable if you are somewhat flexible. Finding two SQ F seats is a whole other story. The rumor is that SQ only make 1 F seat available per long haul flight for *A award redemption. I'm not sure if the same restrictions are in place for using Kris Points...

How do you do it inflight. I could use that info to help keep caught up on the 100 or so emails I get everyday. :cool:

We have a Lear and a G4 and both the phone and the internet are satellite systems. They are flawless.