Preferred upgrades

Valid markets

Special rules apply for travel to/from Hawaii and Europe. Preferred upgrades are valid for travel within the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Canada, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean area.

Upgrade notification

We send you an email the first time we try for an upgrade – no need to call. We'll send follow up emails if we change your upgrade status. If we're unable to upgrade your reservation up to two days 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 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're traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.

Check your Dividend Miles account to make sure we have your current email address.

• Log in to your Dividend Miles account

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 chose 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.

How to upgrade

Full fare (Y or B class) economy tickets

• Full fare (Y or B class) economy tickets are tickets booked in Y or B class on US Airways flights.
• To upgrade, contact US Airways Preferred Reservations immediately after ticketing if you book through a travel agent.

All other economy tickets

You don't need to call for your upgrade. However, if you book travel or make changes to your reservation within two days of departure we will not auto-process your upgrade. Contact US Airways Preferred Reservations for help. We will automatically try to upgrade you when you check in.

If you aren't upgraded prior to check in, request an upgrade when you check in. We will prompt you when you check in online or at the kiosk. Otherwise, you can ask the gate agent.

Companion upgrades

One traveling companion per Preferred member is eligible to upgrade when traveling in the same reservation with a qualifying paid ticket. Companions will be upgraded at the same time as the Preferred member. If there are multiple Preferred members traveling within the same reservation, upgrade priority will be determined by the highest-level Preferred member in the reservation.

If the number of non-Preferred members is greater than the number of Preferred members within your reservation, we will not automatically process your upgrade. Please call US to modify your reservation.

Preferred upgrades to Hawaii

Full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket

• Chairman's, Platinum, Gold and Silver members are eligible for complimentary first class upgrades at time of ticketing with a qualifying full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket.

Companion upgrades to Hawaii

Full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket

• Chairman's, Platinum, Gold and Silver members are allowed to upgrade one traveling companion when both individuals purchase a qualifying full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket.
• Upgrade is available at time of ticketing.

Preferred upgrade terms

• Preferred members enjoy unlimited complimentary upgrade opportunities in valid markets.
• The number of seats allocated for upgrades are capacity controlled.
• Travel must be booked using an e-ticket (electronic ticket).
• Flights must be sold as a US Airways flight to be eligible; flight purchased as a code share through one of our partners will not be eligible for upgrade.
• Certain discounted fares are not eligible for upgrades including bulk or consolidator tickets and award travel tickets. Consolidator tickets include tickets sold by hotwire.com and priceline.com or any other internet site where the airline name is not disclosed prior to purchase.
• Your frequent flyer number must be included in your reservation and the name on your frequent flyer account must match the name in your reservation.
• Attempting to use another Preferred member’s account number constitutes a violation of the rules of the Dividend Miles program.
• If you've received an upgrade, you must retain your Dividend Miles account number in your reservation in order to be seated in First Class.
• US Airways reserves the right to change, temporarily suspend or discontinue any or all aspects of the Dividend Miles program at any time with or without notice.
• All terms and conditions of the US Airways Dividend Miles program apply.