Any US Airways flyers?

[YepsenCP]

If so... What is your opinion of it?
I recently upgraded my debit card to a US Airway Bonus Card in hopes that this will create more opportunities for Dis trips, but I've never flown them...

Any opinions?

 

[safetymom]

I am preferred with USAirways and they are a great airline. The front line employees are the best. Anytime I had a problem it was resolved quickly and to my satisfaction.

 

[Pete W.]

The merger with American West is supposed to close in about two weeks so there will undoubtedly be some changes (even though the new merged airline will be called US Airways, it is America West which is buying US Airways).

 

[YepsenCP]

Good to hear, and thanks for the reply.
I've read alot of mixed, but mostly mediocre reviews.
But as long as mediocre gets me where I want to go, I'll be happy!

Now to start spending my way toward my first free flight to WDW!

 

[safetymom]

To maximize your miles I suggest you visit www.flyertalk.com then go to miles and points, then the USAirways forum.

 

[YepsenCP]

The merger with American West is supposed to close in about two weeks so there will undoubtedly be some changes (even though the new merged airline will be called US Airways, it is America West which is buying US Airways).

Really... I could have sworn I read the buy-out was vice-versa... althought US Airways stock is selling for a measly 23cents which would not imply much buying power.

 

[safetymom]

Yes it is America West that is buying USAirways.

 

[ducklite]

I am preferred with USAirways and they are a great airline. The front line employees are the best. Anytime I had a problem it was resolved quickly and to my satisfaction.

What she said!

I've got to fly MCO to ATL for a busines meeting in a couple weeks, I'm taking a US flight routed through Charlotte rather than the other option--Delta.

Anne

 

[YepsenCP]

What she said!

I've got to fly MCO to ATL for a busines meeting in a couple weeks, I'm taking a US flight routed through Charlotte rather than the other option--Delta.

Anne

I don't know many --if any-- that would choose Delta over any other alternative.

 

[honeymo78]

We always fly USAir to Orlando and haven't had a problem. Oh except last time DH2B's seat cushion was detached (think ready to use as flotation device) so he couldn't sit comfortably since it kept sliding out from under him. The flight attendant was nice enough to move us up to first class. Poor mom and brother had to stay in coach since there were only 2 first class seats available - they didn't really care since they had 4 seats to spread out over. So I guess that wasn't really a problem after all.

 

[HayGan]

USAirways Gold Preferred here USAirways is a good airline for the most part although it has its problems just like any other company. Customer service was suffering for awhile during the bankruptcy but morale seems to have improved significantly.

I will say that redeeming miles can sometimes be difficult unless you are redeeming for a premium award (40,000+ miles) so don't be expecting to get the exact flights that you want for low award levels (20k & 25k) If you are flying out of a hub (Phila/CLT) or focus city (PIT) you will have better luck in getting a reward than if you are flying out of a less serviced city.

 

[shelly3girls]

We have fine experiences flying USAir. The one problem we have had out of Philly is their schedule changes. We have twice been bumped from our flight (although compensated well) and twice had MAJOR flight changes due to downsizing of aircraft (we paid for n/s and they bumped us to a flight with a layover and different time by 8 hours). They told me as long as they notified me in advance of any changes they were not obligated in any way to get me on a flight around my time (and that n/s was not guaranteed).
My other complaint of them is that they broke my stroller (gate checked it) and they told me that it was my problem. They do have signs posted that they are not responsible for broken strollers but it was clear that mine had been completely abused. Needless to say I was very disappointed since it was an expensive stroller (Mac). Just months before that I had flown SW who broke my original stroller. They gave me a check within minutes and offered me a cheap stroller (to keep) to get me by until I could replace mine. That is what I consider good customer service.
We also have had a hard time redeeming miles. If we book as soon as the schedule opens up it is not really a problem though it just requires you to book around 11 months in advance. We have never had any luck at 4 to 6 months prior to the vacation.
Overall I will fly USAir again if the price is right, but usually SW is cheaper.

 

[ducklite]

I've almost always been able to use FF mlies when I wanted to. I don't try to use them last minute for spring break locations. I usually use them to go to more expensive, or out of the way airports, like SEA, DTW etc.

Anne

 

[quietgirll]

i always use usair as my first choice, and i love it...

 

[YepsenCP]

Thanks for all the comments everyone!
I hope that my miles work out for me, a little scared that I may have trouble getting the flights I want to get on. But if I do, maybe they'll be for free!

How many miles do you usually accumulate before you try to book a flight? Is there a standard that most use, or a rule beyond the required miles?

 

[justcruisin]

It's usually 20,000 or 25,000 for a domestic flight. Start calling about 11.5 months prior to travel - they'll tell you when the flight is available for booking. (on line works well too). Can never get "free" flights on weekends and peak travel weeks are definitely never going to happen.

Booking that far out just about guarantees some flight changes (that will happen with any carrier though)

Using FF miles for a January trip - Thurs to Tuesday. Albany-Orlando, but we'll need to change planes (bummer). US Air had a ALB-MCO "shuttle" til 9/11. SW flies direct but since these tickets were "free", we'll change planes!

Been very happy with USAir.

 

[djh96]

I guess I'm the only one that dislikes Usair. We will drive 90 minutes out of our way to not fly Usair.Some of the things we don't like: $100 change fee, unable to use FF miles unless planning 1 year out, constant changing of schedules and aircraft which results in our party of 4 having our seat assignments changed & therefore separated, some of the smallest seats in the business. I wish they were better so we could fly out of an airport 20 minutes from our home.
At one time we also had their CC but when we added up the cost for the card each year & the amt of miles we got combined with ability to use them it didn't make sense for us.

 

[beccasmom]

We mostly fly USAirways out of PHL. We are heading to WDW in November on SW because they had a great sale (and USAirways eventually matched those fares). Since SW “moved in”, it has become a much more competitive market, at least for travel to Florida. Retrieving luggage after you land back in PHL continues to be a hit or miss proposition; sometimes it takes over an hour, sometimes it appears right away. No such issues when traveling with SW.

We took two voluntary bumps back in June from a 6:30 a.m. Orlando flight. Frankly, that surprised me because that flight is rarely full. But it was a pleasant surprise and came in very handy for our flight to Dallas in two weeks. SW does not (cannot) fly directly to Dallas from PHL because of the Wright Amendment, so fares to Dallas remain fairly high, IMHO. Flights on other carriers (American, Delta, etc.) were pricey as well. So, the bumps were fortuitous for us.

I have noticed service trending downward since 9/11 on USAirways, but not to an egregious degree. Whether the merger with American West will be a positive situation remains to be seen. Since they are the dominant carrier in PHL (and seem to be committed to the area), we will continue to use them as well as SW. I am happy SW is here because it does help keep pricing lower. If Jet Blue were to serve here, I would be delirious, but I’m not holding my breath waiting for that to happen.

 

[maciec]

The carrier that flies out of our little airport is USAir so we really don't have a choice unless we want to drive 2 1/2 hours to BWI or Philly. We don't have problems flying out of our airport unless there is a lot of fog. We do have problems, however, in Philly. I think that our flight has never taken off on time from there for various reasons. I don't have to deal with that anymore if I don't want to because now they are doing layovers in Charlotte. We didn't have any problems in August flying through Charlotte.

We also have a USAir credit card and are almost at the point to get a free ticket. We don't fly on Friday's or Saturday's due to our work schedule so I am hopigng that getting our free tickets won't be a problem.

 

[plutospup]

US Airways has treated my family very well. We fly them almost exclusively, since they are the only airline that serves our nearby airport. Their FA's, and pilots are friendly and helpful. I believe US only has a few gates at ORD/Chicago, so that might make getting to your gate easier. Enjoy your flight.
As SafetyMom has said, for more US Airways info check out Flyertalk
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=505