US Airways Dividend Miles - Do Blackout Dates Apply to Upgrade Awards?

Searching only resulted in threads from '05-'06 and I really have two questions here.

I realize that 29 Nov. is a blackout date for reward travel but does this also apply to upgrades using Dividend Miles?

I'm ticketed PHL-LAS-PHX o/w for 29 Nov. When I called to book the trip I just happened to be connected to a CP reservations agent. She was pleasant, extremely professional and very efficient. When it came time to discuss the upgrade I was informed no upgrade space was available. No mention of it being a blackout date and in fact when I initially told her the date I was booking for she commented "Oh, the busiest day of the year!" I also asked about waitlisting for a DM upgrade and was told it cannot be done.

So, here are my questions. Do upgrade awards come out of the same bucket as DM travel awards? If so, is that why there is no space being that it is a blackout date? If not, or for non-blackout dates, can an upgrade reward be requested and waitlisted if no space is currently available?

I booked my trip to the east coast on UA the day before Thanksgiving and was able to confirm an upgrade on one segment and was waitlisted for the other with no difficulties whatsoever.

Thanks.

Can anyone answer these questions? Please?

Thank you.

IIRC upgrade awards come from the same bucket as elite upgrades, so there would, in theory, be upgrade inventory available. Now, that doesn't mean they'll take miles as "payment" for it, but it'll be there.

IIRC upgrade awards come from the same bucket as elite upgrades, so there would, in theory, be upgrade inventory available. Now, that doesn't mean they'll take miles as "payment" for it, but it'll be there.

Well, that's a start. Thanks.

If, in your words, they don't 'take miles as "payment" for it', why is this information on the USAirways website (http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/programdetails/upgrades/mileageupgrades.aspx)?

Mileage upgrades

As a Dividend Miles member, you can upgrade to First Class or Envoy Class on US Airways flights. Mileage upgrades are capacity controlled. To upgrade your reservation using Dividend Miles, call Reservations at 800-428-4322.

Platinum and Chairman's Preferred members booked in Envoy Class can buy upgrades to Envoy Sleeper any time before departure. Call the Preferred Help Desk to buy an upgrade with an advance seating assignment for you and a guest.
Where you travel

Mileage required for one way upgrade
Within the contiguous U.S./Canada/ Alaska 15,000 miles

So, here are my questions.
Do upgrade awards come out of the same bucket as DM travel awards?

Yes, they do.

If so, is that why there is no space being that it is a blackout date?

That's exactly right.

If not, or for non-blackout dates, can an upgrade reward be requested and waitlisted if no space is currently available?

US does not waitlist for upgrades.

I booked my trip to the east coast on UA the day before Thanksgiving and was able to confirm an upgrade on one segment and was waitlisted for the other with no difficulties whatsoever.


Completely different upgrade system.

Thanks "AZ" - I had a feeling the blackout had something to do with it.