Life is better when you're Preferred. Here's a peek at all the perks you'll enjoy…

First Class upgrades

Enjoy the comforts of First Class. If an upgrade becomes available, we'll automatically upgrade you and a companion to First Class (when traveling in the same reservation). Complimentary upgrades may be awarded up to 3 days in advance.

  • Complimentary upgrades are subject to capacity controls and exclude travel to/from Hawaii, Europe, South America and the Middle East. Full-fare (Y or B class) economy tickets may be upgraded anytime after ticketing and include Hawaii. Complimentary domestic upgrades are subject to capacity controls and may be awarded up to 3 days in advance. Companions must be booked on the same itinerary and be processed at the same time as the Preferred member.
  • Beginning August 15, 2009, mileage upgrades are available to/from Europe, South America and the Middle East for 30,000 miles and $300 (Europe/South America) or 40,000 miles and $300 (the Middle East).

Priority baggage handling and extra baggage allowance

Get your bags faster and take more with you.

  • You and everyone in your reservation are exempt from the first, second and third bag fees
  • Your bags will be loaded last which means they'll be among the first on the conveyer belt at your destination
  • Allowances vary by airline, so please contact the airline you’ll be traveling on for details

Bonus miles

Earn award travel even faster with an automatic 50% mileage bonus for all paid, qualifying flights on US Airways, US Airways Express carriers, US Airways Shuttle and United, Continental Airlines and Lufthansa.

  • Preferred flight bonus miles do not count towards Preferred status.

500 mile segment minimums

Gold Preferred members earn a minimum of 500 miles on all US Airways operated flights.

Reserve Preferred seats

You’re able to reserve the best seats, including those in the front of the aircraft and exit row.

Help with reservations

Enjoy dedicated, personalized service from our Preferred Reservations Desk by calling the toll-free number on the back of your Preferred card. Traveling abroad? A private email address and toll-free number (also on your card) will get you in touch with our Preferred Desk from Europe as well as select destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Remember to let us know if you experience spectacular service from one of our employees by filling out one of the Above and Beyond Employee Recognition cards that came in your Preferred kit.

Star Alliance benefits

Enjoy special privileges when you travel on any participating Star Alliance airlines. Just present your Gold Preferred membership card and same-day international ticket to access the US Airways Club and more than 600 Star Alliance lounges.

  • Eligible international destinations for lounge access include Asia, Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America and the following cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Jose (Costa Rica)

Priority check-in and boarding

Skip the line and check in at designated Preferred ticket counters. In airports where none are available, check in at one of our First Class counters (within the U.S. or to Bermuda, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean) or at our Envoy Class counters for travel to/from Europe, South America or the Middle East. And if you're traveling on one of our Star Alliance partners, go ahead and use the Star Alliance Gold check-in counter.

Get to your seat faster, too. Gold Preferred members board US Airways operated flights with Zone 1.

  • Priority boarding is not provided at all airports, by all airlines.

Priority security lanes

Sail through security at the airport and get to your gate even faster. Just show your Gold Preferred card, a valid form of I.D. and your boarding pass at our Priority Security Lanes at participating airports. You can even bring your travel companions along with you.

Priority standby

Get that open seat before someone else. When you're traveling on US Airways and Star Alliance™ member airlines, you're the priority. If there aren't any seats left on a flight you wish to take, you’ll have priority over Silver Preferred and base members as well as other customers should a seat become available.

Standby fee waived

Move up to an earlier flight for free. We waive the standby fee for our Gold Preferred customers who want to move up to an earlier flight on the same day of travel.

US Airways Club membership discount

Come in, be productive or just relax at the US Airways Club. As a Preferred member, you'll enjoy a member discount on an annual membership.