American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Exclusives Spam

I received a marketing e-mail in my inbox from Centurion today.

It talks about some of the exclusive amenities, which doesn't include much new stuff.

Here's an excerpt, though:

A Good Night's Sleep at 30,000 Feet on US Airways
Purchase a GoEnvoy upgrade aboard US Airways for $500 and your flight to Europe becomes much more comfortable. Or upgrade to GoEnvoySleeper for $300 and rest easy all the way. Choose either 30 hours before departure, when space is available.1

First of all, I don't understand it. Second of all, 30 hours before departure? Doesn't our Dividend Miles gold already get us an upgrade for free, 72 hours before departure?

First of all, I don't understand it. Second of all, 30 hours before departure? Doesn't our Dividend Miles gold already get us an upgrade for free, 72 hours before departure?
To Envoy? On transoceanic flights?

anyone can buy these.. $800 for upgrade to lie flat isn't too bad i guess..

http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/intheair/envoyfirst/goupgrades.aspx

people with status should get some kind of discount though...

To Envoy? On transoceanic flights?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking.

And why are they calling it a Centurion exclusive if anyone can buy it?

yes, to envoy and to envoysleeper on transatlantic.

because they want you to believe them when they lie. :D

First of all, I don't understand it. Second of all, 30 hours before departure? Doesn't our Dividend Miles gold already get us an upgrade for free, 72 hours before departure?

Name one US airline that gives INTERNATIONAL (transatlantic/transpacific) upgrades FREE to elite level members. The answer is none, including USAirways. I think you're thinking of the free domestic upgrades that are offered to all elite members of USAirways at advance windows.

And shame on Centurion for promoting this as an "Exclusive" benefit when it's available to anyone with $500 or $800 to spare.

The buy-up program has gotten mixed reviews from the USAirways elite members who used to get transatlantic upgrade certificates. The full fare Envoy and Chairman's Preferred members used to get those sleepers for free too.

But now everyone else - elite or not - can upgrade in advance with miles, or at the 30 hour window for $500 (to Envoy) or $800 (coach-->envoy-->sleeper) each way. Note that paid GoEnvoy/GoSleeper upgrades are only available after mileage and certificate upgrades have been processed. Often you won't get them until the last minute at the gate.

These are the fully horizontal "coffin" lie flat seats that USED to be first class when USAirways actually sold it as such and provided the service.