Airline reroutes frequent-flier program

Dawn Gilbertson
The Arizona Republic

The combined America West-US Airways frequent-flier program unveiled Monday isn't drastically different than each airline's individual programs, but traveler reaction will vary by mileage junkie.

If you liked to use your America West miles for a short hop like Phoenix to San Diego, San Francisco or Denver, you probably won't be thrilled. The trip will take 10,000 more miles.

If you've dreamed of jetting to the Caribbean on a free ticket, you'll be happy to know it'll be easier to get there and cost 10,000 fewer miles.

If you're a super frequent flier, that account balance won't balloon quite as fast because mileage bonuses are going down in many cases. But you'll be able to snag a free first-class upgrade farther in advance.

"This whole business is about trade-offs," said Travis Christ, vice president of marketing for the combined airline. . . (more here)

Frequent flier changes

-- The most prominent changes for America West fliers as part of the soon-to-be combined America West-US Airways frequent-flier program:

-- No more 15,000 mileage award level for short trips, such as Phoenix to southern California. The minimum mileage level is now 25,000.

-- Reduced mileage for free flights to the Caribbean. It was 40,000 on partner Northwest Airlines and will be 30,000 on the new US Airways.

-- A reduced mileage bonus for members with preferred frequent-flier status. For top members, it's going from 100 percent to 75 percent.

-- Earlier bookings for first-class upgrades for top frequent fliers.

-- Charges for Internet service and drinks in airport clubs. (Drinks will remain free at the Las Vegas club.)

-- A new $25 charge for flying standby.

AmWest, US Airways marriage takes off today
Union plays out on Wall Street and at Sky Harbor

There was the cross-country courtship.

The four-month-long engagement.

And today, America West Airlines and US Airways are making it legal, complete with a "wedding" at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The official union will take place on Wall Street this morning, after the deal merging the two airlines and creating the nation's fifth-largest carrier closes and the new company's stock begins trading as "LCC."

But there'll be a marriage outside the America West gates as well, complete with blue-and-white tulle, flowers and a wedding singer.

On Monday afternoon, preparations for the mock wedding were the most outward sign of the pending change.

Directional signs won't change at the airport for another week, when US Airways moves its operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4. The planes will bear the US Airways name, but the paint jobs are being staged over the next year, so planes will continue to have the AWA logo and colors. . . (More here)

What's in a name? Well, a load of excess baggage, for one thing
Richard Ettenson
...
Naming the new entity US Airways is a bad idea. It creates a winners-and-losers mentality inside the new organization (and possible confusion - remember, America West is the lead firm here) and signals "business as usual" with a brand that does not exactly enjoy a best-of-breed standing among domestic carriers. (more)