US Airways Dividend Miles - Possibility of Upgrading to Envoy

It's been a while since I've flown US, but I have a Q class ticket to AMS, US42, in October....I'm silver now bailed to NW during the dark days but slowly coming back, anyway...but, I saw something on the new web site that said you could request a cash upgrade within 30 hours of the departure, is this true? I'm flying out on a Friday night, I'm I just delusional or are there success stories?

It's been a while since I've flown US, but I have a Q class ticket to AMS, US42, in October....I'm silver now bailed to NW during the dark days but slowly coming back, anyway...but, I saw something on the new web site that said you could request a cash upgrade within 30 hours of the departure, is this true? I'm flying out on a Friday night, I'm I just delusional or are there success stories?

It's called GoEnvoy and it is only 3 weeks old. It costs $500 each way and it is only good on the Trans Atlantic segment. If you want to do it, call US exactly 30 hours before departure and request it. Then give them your credit card over the phone and get a seat assignment. Do NOT do it iof they cannot give you a seat assignment over the phone.

Most really frequent TA flyers don't think that Envoy is worth that, but it is up to you. It's better than coach but it is not a competitive business class product.

It's been a while since I've flown US, but I have a Q class ticket to AMS, US42, in October....I'm silver now bailed to NW during the dark days but slowly coming back, anyway...but, I saw something on the new web site that said you could request a cash upgrade within 30 hours of the departure, is this true? I'm flying out on a Friday night, I'm I just delusional or are there success stories?

Unless you're very very tall, like to drink a lot, or have a lot of discretionary funds I wouldn't bother with paying $500 each way for an upgrade. Envoy, though enjoyable and comfortable, is not what you'd expect flying in C across to Atlantic on any airline.

If you've got a good seat in back, particularly if the seat next to you is empty, don't worry about it.

The AMS flight is the boeing 767 not the airbus so not worth it.

I think it's all relative. If you have $500 spare, yea do it. If funds are relatiavely tight (as they are for most of us) then no I don't think it's particuarily worth it.

If arriving awake is important, then that increases the value relative of course to your discretionary spending.

The point is, yes you may well have an opportunity to upgrade. Yes, Envoy isn't the best transatlantic business product out there. However, of 6 Envoy flights in the past year and a half I have thoroughly enjoyed 5 of them. The crew on the 6th was too new and I was halfway to London when the meal was finished but that's another story. Yes, 767 isn't nearly as good as the 330. But then again, coach on the 767 is far worse punishment than on the 330 so the difference margin is still similar.

Coach on the 767 is horrible indeed, no matter your height. Envoy old and tired looking, but better than in the back.
If you have Q and you can manage to upgrade witin the window, by all means, However, I've been trying to do that with a Q ticket and upgrade with ff miles for the 42 to AMS on 8/24. Nearly full coach, nearly empty envoy but am constantly told (today again) that they will "waitlist" me, no direct upgrade. October is not as busy, so you may luck out. I won't take my chances anymore and go E+ on UA.

If you can get seats 12C or E you should be "OK" in coach. Rest is hopeless,

The AMS flight is the boeing 767 not the airbus so not worth it.

AMS will likely be a very tough upgrade to achieve for those relying on the "Go Envoy" program only.

Does the window open 30 hours before the flight in question, or the first flight in your itinerary?

Does the window open 30 hours before the flight in question, or the first flight in your itinerary?

GoEnvoy kicks in 30 hours before the flight in question.

It'll be interesting to see if they continue the GOENVOY after the 767s are completely refurbished with the new Envoy sleeper seats and iFE.

It'll be interesting to see if they continue the GOENVOY after the 767s are completely refurbished with the new Envoy sleeper seats and iFE.


Maybe I missed something - will all the envoy seats be sleeper seats, or just a few rows? It seems like an update to all sleeper would make the 767s far more in-demand than the A333s...

I'm not sure why they would stop the program regardless of any aircraft updates - it's $500 cash they wouldn't otherwise have, and the only additional cost they have is perhaps $5 for a better meal (unless of course you can down a few gallons of free vodka... :D) But it does bring up an interesting question - would all seats be $800 (since they're sleeper seats) or would they only charge the $500? And if they only charged the $500, would that go into effect system-wide (essentially dumping row 1 on the A333 back to CPs and full-fare envoy pax?)? If it wasn't system-wide, it seems like the savvy travellers would book on a 767 wherever possible.

I guess personally, I might be willing to pay $500 once or even twice for an envoy seat, but I most certainly wouldn't pay $800 ever.

Maybe I missed something - will all the envoy seats be sleeper seats, or just a few rows? It seems like an update to all sleeper would make the 767s far more in-demand than the A333s...
....... But it does bring up an interesting question - would all seats be $800 (since they're sleeper seats)....

The entire Envoy cabin will get a makeover. Since the seats have 8" more of pitch(going from 55" to 63"), it's unknown if they will shrink the cabin to 3 rows, or keep it at 4 and nix the first row of coach.

While they are "lie flat", they are not horizontally flat. They will probably be similar to the new AA biz seats (http://www.howwillyourtimefly.com/?anchorLocation=Homepage_Top) . As you can see, they are flat, but slope at an angle. So, row 1 of the A330 will still have an edge. But I imagine the 767 will become more desireable for business travelers who want a product that's not worn out and 10 years old. Similarly, it's not known if the 757-ETOPS Envoy upgrade slated for this Winter will have these "lie flat" seats or something more like what's in the A330 Envoy cabin now.

I think 500$(+the Y-Ticket) is really ok for flying Business. Compare that to the price you are paying for a full-fare C ticket.

I think 500$(+the Y-Ticket) is really ok for flying Business. Compare that to the price you are paying for a full-fare C ticket.


Dunno, full fare C to FCO is only $1100-$1400 each way, which seemed entirely reasonable when the discounted coach (Q/V) fares are $400-$500 each way. I realize it's the same as paying cash for the upgrade, but this way you get the 50% CoS bonus and confirmed, guaranteed seating, plus access to departure (and arrival?) lounge that you might not otherwise receive.

Thanks, Warbo. Will give this a try.

...full fare C to FCO is only $1100-$1400 each way....

That sounds more like a Z (restricted Envoy) fare to me, as full fare C runs north of $6,000 PHL - FCO

I've been doing B fares transAtlantic this year and using Miles to upgrade at time of booking.

That sounds more like a Z (restricted Envoy) fare to me, as full fare C runs north of $6,000 PHL - FCO

I've been doing B fares transAtlantic this year and using Miles to upgrade at time of booking.


That's what I would have thought, but it shows as an A fare basis... Is A restricted or unrestricted?

That's what I would have thought, but it shows as an A fare basis... Is A restricted or unrestricted?

Normally A is restricted I don't know about US Airways but normally has change and cancelling fees which full fare C or F hasn't.

Just a quick update from recent experience - there still appears to be a good bit of confusion about this program with the airline's staff. Believe it or not, however, this wound up working to my advantage.

I called right at 30 hours to attempt a GoEnvoy on an award ticket for the overnight flight out. First call - told pretty brusquely you can't do it on an award ticket. Second call (immediately thereafter), told by a different, helpful, agent there was no inventory available. Gave up, because I was on the fence about whether it was worth $500 anyway. Out of curiosity, called again the next morning, and once again got the *same* unfriendly first agent. He again told me, more brusquely, no go on award ticket.

At the airport for my first flight, my request as to availability elicited confusion at the desk. After extensive internal consultation, they told me the only they could see to do it was as a GoFirst upgrade for $250. (Yes, for an Envoy upgrade to Europe.) I'm no fool - I took it at that price. I'm certainly not complaining about the outcome, but I wouldn't expect it to work this way for anyone else. In any event, US certainly doesn't make it very easy if they want to sell these.

......
While they are "lie flat", they are not horizontally flat. They will probably be similar to the new AA biz seats (http://www.howwillyourtimefly.com/?anchorLocation=Homepage_Top) .....

i hope not. I saw those AA seats before and they are really cheap and uncomfortable looking - like a plastic coffin. But then again, US is not LH or BA, so I guess I shouldn't complain and accept that any cosmetic change to those aircraft is positive.

Anything better than coach, especially on US Air. Envoy is not great, but I would gladly pay $ 500 for an upgrade.
It is actually cheaper than with miles: the B or Y ticket is about $ 1000 more expensive than a V or W ticket, and you loose 10,000 miles. Most times I tried I did not even get upgraded. Empty envoy, except for two upgrades which is the limit.
If you want to upgrade using miles, book months ahead of time.

It's called GoEnvoy and it is only 3 weeks old. It costs $500 each way and it is only good on the Trans Atlantic segment. If you want to do it, call US exactly 30 hours before departure and request it. Then give them your credit card over the phone and get a seat assignment. Do NOT do it iof they cannot give you a seat assignment over the phone..


Could you explain why I shouldn't give them my credit card if they don't assign the seat on the phone? I am SO hoping that I can buy 2 upgrades from PHL to CDG in Oct. I know, fat chance!!

Bobi

I'm told that US does NOT oversell in Envoy. If they have seats for GoEnvoy sale at the 30-hour mark, they should be able to assign you seats as well. Better yet, ask the phone rep if 2 seats side by side are available before you commit to buy with a CC charge...this way, there'd be no surprises.

Actually, there's a good chance for GoEnvoy upgrades PHL - CDG in October. It's off-peak season (and the best time to visit Europe in my opinion - better weather, less crowded, etc), it's an A330 with plentiful Envoy seats, and it's hard to believe that most transAtlantic would be booked solid (special occasions excepted, e.g. Ocktoberfest in MUC). Best of luck!

E+ on UA is no longer available for US Preferred members, which makes this an even more interesting offer. Most likely though, Envoy will be fuller (less empty) and it will be hard to get upgrades - standby, GoEnvoy or miles.

Coach on the 767 is horrible indeed, no matter your height. Envoy old and tired looking, but better than in the back. I won't take my chances anymore and go E+ on UA.