Jan 6, 2014, 8:28 am
Last edit by: serfty
Per the US Airways website:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/dividendmiles/preferred/upgrades.html
Upgrade notification
We send you an email the first time we try for an upgrade – no need to call. We'll continue to check for upgrades throughout the day and send follow up emails if we change your upgrade status – right up until 24 hours before your flight. If we're unable to upgrade your reservation up to 24 hours prior to departure, we'll process your upgrades when you check in online or at the airport (if they become available).
To be placed on the standby list choose the 'Add to standby list' link when you check in online. You'll only see the option to add yourself to the standby list if all passengers in your reservation are Preferred. If you're traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.
Please check your Dividend Miles account to make sure we have your current email address.
Preferred upgrade priority – advance travel dates
When you purchase a full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket, you are eligible for an instant upgrade to First Class. After your reservation is ticketed, we will automatically attempt to upgrade you around the clock until a seat becomes available. We prioritize full fare economy tickets over all other fares.
If you book a discount fare (any fare other than Y or B class), we prioritize your upgrade by Preferred level and within each Preferred level, by the number of Preferred-qualifying miles you've flown on US Airways and US Airways Express operated flights in the last 12 months. We begin processing upgrades for all discount fares at either 7, 4, 3 or 2 days prior to departure, depending on Preferred level.
If we are unable to confirm an upgrade during our automated process, we'll try again when you check in for your flight. If seats are not available when you check in online, you can choose to be placed on the standby list.
To be placed on the standby list select the 'Add to standby list' link when checking in online. All passengers in your reservation must have Preferred status to have this option displayed at check in. If you are traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.
Preferred upgrade priority – day of departure
•If we're unable to confirm an upgrade seat for you prior to departure, you may request an upgrade when you check in.
•Once check-in for a flight has begun, priority will be based upon Preferred level and then upon earliest check-in.
•Please advise the gate agent at the airport if you're traveling with a companion.
If no First Class seats are open when you check in at the airport, you'll have the option to be added to the standby list, but you must be the only person listed in your reservation.
If there are multiple Preferred members in one reservation, you must ask to have your reservation separated at the airport.
If you're traveling with a non-Preferred member, you will also need to have your reservation separated at the airport; however, your companion will no longer be eligible for a complimentary upgrade.
Companion upgrades
One non-Preferred traveling companion can upgrade when traveling on the same reservation as a Preferred member with a qualifying paid ticket. The companion will be upgraded at the same time as the Preferred member.
more info to add? click, "Edit Wikipost," and make the changes @:-)
Prior thread can be found here:
US Automatic Upgrades (Elite)
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/dividendmiles/preferred/upgrades.html
Upgrade notification
We send you an email the first time we try for an upgrade – no need to call. We'll continue to check for upgrades throughout the day and send follow up emails if we change your upgrade status – right up until 24 hours before your flight. If we're unable to upgrade your reservation up to 24 hours prior to departure, we'll process your upgrades when you check in online or at the airport (if they become available).
To be placed on the standby list choose the 'Add to standby list' link when you check in online. You'll only see the option to add yourself to the standby list if all passengers in your reservation are Preferred. If you're traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.
Please check your Dividend Miles account to make sure we have your current email address.
Preferred upgrade priority – advance travel dates
When you purchase a full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket, you are eligible for an instant upgrade to First Class. After your reservation is ticketed, we will automatically attempt to upgrade you around the clock until a seat becomes available. We prioritize full fare economy tickets over all other fares.
If you book a discount fare (any fare other than Y or B class), we prioritize your upgrade by Preferred level and within each Preferred level, by the number of Preferred-qualifying miles you've flown on US Airways and US Airways Express operated flights in the last 12 months. We begin processing upgrades for all discount fares at either 7, 4, 3 or 2 days prior to departure, depending on Preferred level.
If we are unable to confirm an upgrade during our automated process, we'll try again when you check in for your flight. If seats are not available when you check in online, you can choose to be placed on the standby list.
To be placed on the standby list select the 'Add to standby list' link when checking in online. All passengers in your reservation must have Preferred status to have this option displayed at check in. If you are traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.
Preferred upgrade priority – day of departure
•If we're unable to confirm an upgrade seat for you prior to departure, you may request an upgrade when you check in.
•Once check-in for a flight has begun, priority will be based upon Preferred level and then upon earliest check-in.
•Please advise the gate agent at the airport if you're traveling with a companion.
If no First Class seats are open when you check in at the airport, you'll have the option to be added to the standby list, but you must be the only person listed in your reservation.
If there are multiple Preferred members in one reservation, you must ask to have your reservation separated at the airport.
If you're traveling with a non-Preferred member, you will also need to have your reservation separated at the airport; however, your companion will no longer be eligible for a complimentary upgrade.
Companion upgrades
One non-Preferred traveling companion can upgrade when traveling on the same reservation as a Preferred member with a qualifying paid ticket. The companion will be upgraded at the same time as the Preferred member.
more info to add? click, "Edit Wikipost," and make the changes @:-)
Prior thread can be found here:
US Automatic Upgrades (Elite)
US Automatic Upgrades (elite) [MASTER THREAD 2014]
Dec 29, 2013, 11:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
US Automatic Upgrades (elite) [MASTER THREAD 2014]
I got the upgrade email this morning. I've been upgraded to FC as only SP on both legs of my flight (SFO-CLT-DCA) on Tuesday morning leaving at 7:25am. I'm really surprised I managed to get upgraded on the SFO-CLT leg. I thought my chances were a lot better on 12/26 DCA-PHX, but I wasn't upgraded then. I'm excited to finally get a meal in FC. All of my other upgrades have been on flights under 3.5 hours or red eye flights.
Loads look much lighter tonight (F still available on both PHX-CLT red eyes) and tomorrow.
Jan 3, 2014, 9:42 am
#2
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 715
I'll be flying again next week with a couple of trips planned: MEX-CLT-BOS and PVD-CLT-AUS. Yesterday, I got the upgrades for both 
This for sure makes flying a little less miserable.
This for sure makes flying a little less miserable.
Jan 5, 2014, 2:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: US Chairman's Preferred
Posts: 237
At <24 hours, if a seat has opened you can process it yourself by checking in again Regardless of your position on the upgrade list.
For today's IAH - CLT I wa third on the upgrade list. A seat opened up so I checked in again and selected a first class seat. One and two got skipped. You don't even have to call the call center.
For today's IAH - CLT I wa third on the upgrade list. A seat opened up so I checked in again and selected a first class seat. One and two got skipped. You don't even have to call the call center.
Jan 6, 2014, 6:34 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ALB
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Nexus
Posts: 432
Question: If you had attempted to re-check in in an effort to grab the newly opened first class seat, but someone beat you to it, would you have lost your #3 place in line? The reason I ask is that I am presently #1 out of 10 on the upgrade list for a 6 a.m. flight tomorrow, and EF is showing Seat 1A blocked still. So, if 1A becomes unblocked, I am on the fence about whether I should make a dash to grab it. My concern is that if I don't get it would another chairman presently lower on the upgrade list sudden move up to my number 1 spot as a result of the "re-check in" now being at a later time?
Jan 6, 2014, 7:08 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: PHL / SFO
Programs: free agent
Posts: 797
This is just a guess, but I'd bet it's not actually check-in time that's used under the hood - I think it's more likely to be the sequence (SEQ on your BP).
Jan 6, 2014, 9:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Plat + SPG Plat
Posts: 235
(DATA POINT) I was upgraded on my upcoming flights PDX-PHX-DCA at T-7; lots of seats still open PDX-PHX, but I snagged the last open seat on the ever popular PHX-DCA Monday morning flight which means I'm sitting in row 1. But, I'll take row 1 over row 5 or higher any day! 
Jan 15, 2014, 8:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
It looks like they may have fixed the IT glitch which enabled anyone with us status to check in again to snag a first class seat if one became available within 24 hours... I used to do this frequently and as recently as last week.
Right now my flight tomorrow shows a first class seat available. When I check in again instead of offering it to me it only gives me coach seat choices. I am thinking this loophole is closed. Any other experiences?
Right now my flight tomorrow shows a first class seat available. When I check in again instead of offering it to me it only gives me coach seat choices. I am thinking this loophole is closed. Any other experiences?
Jan 15, 2014, 8:44 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
US Automatic Upgrades (elite) [MASTER THREAD 2014]
It worked for me last Thursday.
Jan 16, 2014, 5:26 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
I checked again this morning and the open seat went a way. I only tried rechecking in using the mobile app and mobile website, maybe I should have tried on the computer web interface.
That or someone bought the first class seat
That or someone bought the first class seat
Jan 16, 2014, 5:31 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Upgraded on all legs of my MR next week..
BWI-CLT-LAS-PHX-ANC all legs (outbound) upgraded.
Waiting on my upgrade notification for the return ANC-PHX-LAX-CLT-BWI.
BWI-CLT-LAS-PHX-ANC all legs (outbound) upgraded.
Waiting on my upgrade notification for the return ANC-PHX-LAX-CLT-BWI.
Jan 16, 2014, 3:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Northern Virginia
Programs: US Airways Silver Preferred, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 44
Upgraded this Saturday DCA-FLL. As of right now it looks like I'm the only one in FC, which is kinda surprising to me.
Jan 16, 2014, 3:59 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
Was it the mobile status that indicated one available on the upgrade list, or was it still listed for purchase on the site?
Jan 16, 2014, 4:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
Mobile status showed one. In my experience, every time it had rechecking in snagged me the seat. Last night first time it didn't work.
Was it the mobile status that indicated one available on the upgrade list, or was it still listed for purchase on the site?
Jan 16, 2014, 5:57 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
The process worked for me today. Last night I had to book onto a flight with first already full. Checked in T-24 and put myself on the upgrade list where I was #1 and stayed at the top of the list (I'm a high miles chairman and the fare was Not Cheap). Checked the mobile site a few hours before the flight and saw 2 F seats opened up. I logged into the full site via my laptop and reran OLCI, chose "Just change my seats" and chose a seat in F.
If it's not working for you maybe they only allow #1 on the upgrade list to do it? In my case today I don't know who got the other F seat that opened, perhaps only #2 on the list could've done it if they've closed this loophole.
If it's not working for you maybe they only allow #1 on the upgrade list to do it? In my case today I don't know who got the other F seat that opened, perhaps only #2 on the list could've done it if they've closed this loophole.
Jan 16, 2014, 8:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SFO / SJC / OAK
Programs: AS / CSR / AMEX
Posts: 266
For my SFO-CLT-PHL flights, I didn't receive any emails checking for upgrades. Is this normal or did the system just realize there were no empty F seats and not check at all?