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.