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.
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.
Sub-500 mile itin upgraded at T-7d. Transcon itin says no availability at T-7d (flightstats shows empty F on both segments). But that has been the pattern this year - US waiting for someone to buy in F, and then upgrading me at T-4d if any F were left.
Programs: US Air Chairman; Hilton Diamond;Marriott Gold; Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 12
This is a first. I have been a chairman for over 3 years and this is the first time I have been unsuccessful on an east coast upgrade ( CLT to Ewr). Also does not look good for trip home being that I am within a 3 day window. What gives? New upgrade system? People actually paying for 1st? As Chairman, the only flight without success upgrade is CLT to PHX, very disappointing. I now know what it feels like to be diamond and fly Delta!
This is a first. I have been a chairman for over 3 years and this is the first time I have been unsuccessful on an east coast upgrade ( CLT to Ewr). Also does not look good for trip home being that I am within a 3 day window. What gives? New upgrade system? People actually paying for 1st? As Chairman, the only flight without success upgrade is CLT to PHX, very disappointing. I now know what it feels like to be diamond and fly Delta!
Last night, passing through CLT while changing planes, I was struck by the fact that they were showing FC available on flights going virtually everywhere ...
except to EWR, where they were looking for volunteers.
I think it is the route, not a policy change. In fact, I have been struck this summer how empty some of the FC cabins have been at OLCI (although they get filled by flight time), and I'm talking cross-continent, too.
This is a first. I have been a chairman for over 3 years and this is the first time I have been unsuccessful on an east coast upgrade ( CLT to Ewr). ...As Chairman, the only flight without success upgrade is CLT to PHX, very disappointing. ...
If these are your only US flights with upgrades missing in 3+ years as Chairman's Preferred, I'm envious because my upgrade % is not as good as yours!
Transcon upgraded at T-4d. Seatmap shows one vacant seat in F. Flightstats shows F9 A9 availability (possibly not updated yet). Real availability is F2 A0 - I'm able to dummy-book in F a party of two, but not a party of three; A is unavailable for a party of one.
Programs: US Dougie's Preferred, UA Gate Louse, HH Gold, National Emerald Club, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 12,698
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlightNurse
This is interesting, So far this year, I have bought only Refunded FC tickets, and not once have I had this issue.
I didn't get one on a previous F ticket, but that was also before US "upgraded" the system. I was quite surprised to see this. The return is also in paid F, so I'm curious if I'll get another message next week when the plat window hits again.
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US Upgades as a CP: Total 3/4, Short Haul 2/2, Midcon 0/0, TCON 1/2
Programs: DL Silver, AA PLT, US CP, SPG PLT, IHG PLT, Marriott Silver, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,609
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superguy
I didn't get one on a previous F ticket, but that was also before US "upgraded" the system. I was quite surprised to see this. The return is also in paid F, so I'm curious if I'll get another message next week when the plat window hits again.
I flew from DTW-PHX this past friday and no e-mail, I just made CP 3 weeks ago, wondering what my changes are of Upgrades these days, I'll have to buy a Y ticket and find out.
Programs: HH Gold, A3 *G, Husband of SPG Plat, US Plat, TK *G
Posts: 150
Quick question... If I try to look at the seat map for a flight (not through my reservation, but as if I'm trying to buy a seat on the flight) and the first class seat map shows up as "unavailable" does that mean F is booked full?
Programs: DL Silver, AA PLT, US CP, SPG PLT, IHG PLT, Marriott Silver, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,609
Quote:
Originally Posted by RZachSmith
Quick question... If I try to look at the seat map for a flight (not through my reservation, but as if I'm trying to buy a seat on the flight) and the first class seat map shows up as "unavailable" does that mean F is booked full?
You don't have to go that far, try a dummy booking and if there are no FC fares then either the aircraft as no FC seat on it, or it is full.
I just got off the phone with the usair platinum desk and found out about a "rule change". Apparently usair is not upgrading four or 7 days out any longer for platinum and chairman members. According to my status rules I should receive a first class upgrade "if available" fours days prior to departure. I have a flight from Atl to Philly this week and received an email stating that I didn't receive an upgrade. I checked the flight and THREE first class seats were available. When I called to inquire, I was told that "3 months ago usair starting saving those seats to see if we could sell them first". If they can't sell them, they will release them for upgrades??? Am I the only one realizing this and is this the policy for other airlines??? If so, I'll just deal but it just seemed to go against what my platinum benefits stated.
These seats are for sale not upgrade. Read other posts you will see.
Because seats show up on their site it doesn't mean that they are available.
I know it's cruel but that's how it works
Since seats are not in the upgrade bucket they are not available. This has been like that for years. And no, hardly the only airline. I would be surprised if you find one that doesn't do that.
New US upgrade policy???
