US Airways Silver Upgrade?

[Little Evil]

Anyone have any experience with US Airways Silver Preferred? I just logged into my account and it looks like I was upgraded, despite not having the classic requirements for Silver membership. I didn't even think I could get status on award flights, and even if I could my two trips to LOS last year probably don't amount to 25k miles. I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth though. Just wonder what that actually means in real world application. Read that you can get first class upgrades where available, but how often does that happen?  I'm sure gold and whatever is higher get first dibs at first class.  

[bgtp]

You'll rarely get an upgrade at the lowest status of any domestic airline. Rarely, is better than never I guess. Main benefit is being able to reserve an exit row seat for the extra legroom and you can check a bag for free.

[Little Evil]

Thanks for the reply. That's kind of what I was thinking, particularly after realizing that US Airways has not 2, but 3 tiers above silver. Still, nice little unexpected perk. Hopefully it will add some value.

[thawit77]

Sometimes they comp premium status to customers if you have had a lot of flights recently.  Got an early bump on Cathay Pacific to gold status once because of that.  Other times your credit card company might provide you a comp membership, received a gold card from US Airways a few years ago because of that but never used it because I already had gold with United.

 

Upgrades will only be possible on US Airways.  Depending on the flight you are on and how much you paid for your ticket, you might have a chance at getting a domestic upgrade.  US Airways was part of the Star Alliance group of airlines but it will be moving over to the One World group of airlines in the next few months.  You might be able to check in at business class counters of partner airlines but that will probably be the only major perk.  Typically the best perk is that you are exempt from all the checked baggage fees at the silver level for domestic flights.

[Little Evil]

Sometimes they comp premium status to customers if you have had a lot of flights recently.  Got an early bump on Cathay Pacific to gold status once because of that.  Other times your credit card company might provide you a comp membership, received a gold card from US Airways a few years ago because of that but never used it because I already had gold with United.

 

Upgrades will only be possible on US Airways.  Depending on the flight you are on and how much you paid for your ticket, you might have a chance at getting a domestic upgrade.  US Airways was part of the Star Alliance group of airlines but it will be moving over to the One World group of airlines in the next few months.  You might be able to check in at business class counters of partner airlines but that will probably be the only major perk.  Typically the best perk is that you are exempt from all the checked baggage fees at the silver level for domestic flights.

 

I don't fly domestic that often, but good to know about baggage allowances if I do. Still trying to figure out how I got the upgrade. I haven't paid for a flight in since 2008, and none of my credit cards have any direct link to US Airways. I thought award travel doesn't count towards status.  It must be the miles I purchased since 2011 (a sh*tload).

 

I think the US to One World is at the end of March.  I'm seriously debating getting the US Airways World card, then buying miles before the end of this month, as I think that is the last time we'll see the 100% bonus match on up to 50k miles.  Score the signup and buy some of the last cheap miles.