US Airways, an airline that has become famous for monetizing its frequent flyer program, is now offering a buy-up to elite status at a price low enough to merit consideration.
For years US Airways has sold elite status in their Dividend Miles program, but usually at rates (~$10K for top-tier status) that made little sense to even consider. This year, however, the prices are much more reasonable.
As Gary explains, during the first five months of the year, you can elect to either top-off the elite qualifying miles you earned in your account in 2010 or deposit the credit toward 2011.
Staring in June, you will only be able to top-off 2011 elite qualifying miles. In both cases, the status is only good through January 2012 (you’re not buying actual elite miles or segments).
Preferred miles needed |
Preferred segments needed |
Buy up to Preferred fee* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 1,999 | 1 – 2 | $249 |
| 2,000 – 4,999 | 3 – 6 | $399 |
| 5,000 – 9,999 | 7 – 11 | $579 |
| 10,000 – 14,999 | 12 – 18 | $789 |
| 15,000 – 24,999 | 19 – 29 | $989 |
| 25,000 – 49,999 | 30 – 59 | $1,299 |
| 50,000 – 74,999 | 60 – 89 | $2,199 |
| 75,000 – 99,999 | 90 – 119 | $2,999 |
| 100,000 | 120 | $3,999 |
For those not familiar with the US Airways elite structure, here’s how their four-tier program breaks down:
Silver |
Gold |
Platinum |
Chairman’s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred-qualifying miles needed | 25,000 | 50,000 | 75,000 | 100,000 |
| Preferred-qualifying segments needed | 30 | 60 | 90 | 120 |
So say you flew 50,000 miles on US Airways last year. For $2199, you could "double upgrade" your status to Chairman Preferred.
The benefits of Chairman status on US Airways can be found here and are not all that impressive, but among other things include unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades, two free systemwide upgrades, and free changes or re-deposit of award bookings.
If you are planning on doing a lot of flying this year on US Airways and do not currently have status, this offer is definitely something to consider. Just remember, you still have to earn the EQMs or EQSs if you wish to keep your elite status next year. At these prices, however, a businessman who might have paid full fare for a couple domestic trips in first class might as well buy this and two economy tickets.
(tip of the hat to Gary)
Only two SWUs? 😮
@FriendlySkies Remember, it is US so there are not as many places that you could use the SWUs anyway 😉
@Nick
Thanks for the laugh 😀 Seems like they are pretty USeless 😉
Even with chairman status US Airways does not release first class seats on cross country for upgrade until the day of the flight. Even though they say chairman get upgrades 7 days in advance.
Randy’s comment about not releasing first class seats until the day of the flight is absolutely false. Even though I’m only Gold on US, I get my upgrade notification 2 to 3 days before my cross-country flight. (3 is the max allowed for Gold.) Of course there are times I don’t get an upgrade.
sometimes things are not what they seem and money can buy you what you need AND it is not about the seat it is about the ride
My experience is that the system wide upgrade certificates are completely useless for international flights (which is where they have some value). Even with Chairman’s status, USAirways has not ONCE honored an advance upgrade request on an international flight, and it isn’t realistic to take a risk on a last minute upgrade if you have an important meeting in Europe and need a good night’s sleep on the redeye over.
Paying to upgrade to Chairman’s Preferred status (which I mistakenly did) is a complete waste of money, a fraud (USAirways’ own reps claimed that the system wide upgrades had no restrictions, which is a blatant lie), and not recommended.