Chairman’s Preferred status holder with US Airways (there are many from the challenges offered last year) receive two one-way upgrades and matching companion upgrades every year. American Airlines indicated that these would need to be spent prior to their loyalty program mergers anticipated in the second quarter – which has been updated ahead of schedule to this weekend.
Loyalty members of both programs were notified that award travel using US Airways miles would need to be booked by March 28th.
Lucky, an excellent source, had stated here that Chairman’s Upgrades should be bookable (and confirmed) through Friday night at midnight which seemed reasonable to me based on the lack of discussion regarding the matter, but that no longer looks possible. I called in this evening to ask about some availability and was informed that Chariman’s upgrade bookings were not possible after tonight at midnight. It was then explained that after they are confirmed or waitlisted tonight, the process is closed, locked out until next week where confirmations for waitlists will again resume.
I cannot find any information on AA.com’s dedicated landing page regarding this specific case, though the airline did suggest that Chairman Preferred members use any of their Special Dividends (upgrades included) as early as possible prior to the merger.
I spoke with a rep, who triple checked this was the case, then also with a supervisor. If you have any Chairman upgrades left, burn them now… before they burn themselves.
– Sherpa
Interesting… was on with a USair rep earlier dealing with a schedule change (a AA fllight canceled… replaced with USAir flight at very different time). No mention of it.
@Alan – That wasn’t very polite of them…
asked if I was interested in an upgrade, but never any of the upcoming program changes or deadlines… guess it’s their way of ditching them.
Giant pain the butt actually… 4 separate records, total of 11 passengers (my parents 50th anniversary trip). Took more than a bit of time on the phone.
@Alan, luckily the AAngels have a better track record than US Agents so maybe your luck will be better starting tomorrow.
thanks… she got it done eventually… lost half of the existing seat assignments, but not the end of the world.
…I wouldn’t count US Air agents out yet. I booked an AA award yesterday home from LXR. two AA agents told me it couldn’t be done as LXR-DOH isn’t a valid city pair for awards (for whatever dumb reason). It wasn’t until I ex CP agent picked up the phone did he work with the help desk for an hour to find a way to book the award and most people in the AA EXP facebook group are still in awe wondering how I was able to get a ticket out of LXR using AA miles. So some US Airways agents are amazing!