USAirways FF miles? WTH??

[Charade]

I just went online to see what flights are available for my trip to WDW in April only to discover that USAirways has apparently changed their FF program. Or I'm serverly confused. On their awards chart is says that a roundtrip (coach) is 25,000 miles (I have 26,000) but when I access the schedule, it's telling me that it's 25K each way! WTH heck is going on??

 

[Sherri]

I just went online to see what flights are available for my trip to WDW in April only to discover that USAirways has apparently changed their FF program. Or I'm serverly confused. On their awards chart is says that a roundtrip (coach) is 25,000 miles (I have 26,000) but when I access the schedule, it's telling me that it's 25K each way! WTH heck is going on??

I'd call directly because I was told when I signed up for the credit card that the bonus 25,000 would cover a roundtrip fare within the US.

 

[Charade]

I'd call directly because I was told when I signed up for the credit card that the bonus 25,000 would cover a roundtrip fare within the US.

I get those mailers all the time. I already have a USAirways VISA.


What's strange is the chart says a RT is 25K but the ressie page says 25K each way and when I get to the purchase page, it says 50K redeemed (plus the $5 BS fee). I didn't click past that screen. I will call or chat with them to see what's going on.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Oh good Lord. We've got enough points for at least 2 RTT's. DH is gonna bust a gut if they're changing this.

 

[Sandy51]

Yep, same thing happened to me when I tried for April. Maybe it has to do with holiday travel?


Sandy

 

[Honu]

Most programs have tiered awards now. The 25k tickets are limited and usually for undesirable flight times. The higher point tickets have more seats available and in desired times and days.

 

[Charade]

Oh good Lord. We've got enough points for at least 2 RTT's. DH is gonna bust a gut if they're changing this.

Well it appears there was a drastic change in their program. I put in two other dates in Mar (a week, over sat, lv and arrive midweek) and the redemption now says 12,500 for one leg and 25,000 for other!!! Nice going USAirways and thanks for the notice. Now I've got to change my vacation and find days that are 12,500 each way.

I was just telling my dfi that the program used to be 20K for a RT trip during off peak times and 25K for peak. Then it changed to 25K all year. Now it appears that they've only have limited number of days, dates or whatever for a 25K RT ticket. As soon as I use up these last miles, I'm done with their FF progam.

 

[Charade]

Most programs have tiered awards now. The 25k tickets are limited and usually for undesirable flight times. The higher point tickets have more seats available and in desired times and days.

I just found that out. IThat really sucks. Now I have to decide if I want crappy flights at crappy times on days I really didn't want to travel or find a really cheap fare on based on the vacation days I already have scheduled.

 

[eclectics]

I just found that out. IThat really sucks. Now I have to decide if I want crappy flights at crappy times on days I really didn't want to travel or find a really cheap fare on based on the vacation days I already have scheduled.

Welcome to the world of the legacy carrier. Aren't they fun? That's why I only fly LCC's. Cheaper and better service. I love jetBlue. And the big carriers wonder why they are losing business! They are their own worst enemy.

 

[ducklite]

This isn't a change at all. It's been like this for years now--although the number of miles did go from 20K to 25K about a year ago.

They might ahve become more restrictive with the number of award seats on any given flight, but the program hasn't changed. Like another poster suggested, take flights at less optimal times, or to more out of the way places and it will work out well for you.

Anne

 

[Sherri]

I get those mailers all the time. I already have a USAirways VISA.


What's strange is the chart says a RT is 25K but the ressie page says 25K each way and when I get to the purchase page, it says 50K redeemed (plus the $5 BS fee). I didn't click past that screen. I will call or chat with them to see what's going on.

They gave us this on the way to Vegas this summer. Seemed like a good thing, but i'm now wondering if it is scam (the free round trip tix with 25,000 bonus miles. Oh well, we used the 99$ companion fare.

 

[DebbieB]

The 25,000 mile tickets ("mileage savers") are almost impossible to get. I checked a couple of days ago for early December flights, PIT/MCO, they are all 25,000 each way.

 

[Charade]

This isn't a change at all. It's been like this for years now--although the number of miles did go from 20K to 25K about a year ago.

They might ahve become more restrictive with the number of award seats on any given flight, but the program hasn't changed. Like another poster suggested, take flights at less optimal times, or to more out of the way places and it will work out well for you.

Anne

I don't know how long you mean by years now but I've been cashing in USAir miles for at least 10 years and the last time was in Oct 05 and it wasn't this way. It was 25K for all seats (if available). I now have to pick evening flights midweek. I didn't before.

 

[bicker]

Yes, it has been this way for many years. 25,000 roundtrip for selected flights; 50,000 roundtrip for whatever flights you wish.

 

[ducklite]

I don't know how long you mean by years now but I've been cashing in USAir miles for at least 10 years and the last time was in Oct 05 and it wasn't this way. It was 25K for all seats (if available). I now have to pick evening flights midweek. I didn't before.

I've been a member since 1989, and have cashed in hundreds of thousands of miles. I use my miles for expensive trips to more out of the way places--Philly to Flint, Philly to Seattle, Orlando to Albany, etc. I've never had a problem getting a ticket in the 25K range if I was willing to alter my flight date or time by a day or a few hours.

Like I said, they haven't really changed the essence of the program, they've just put further restriction on the most desirable flights. Because I often prefer the very late or very early flights, it's worked out well for me.

Anne

 

[DawnCt1]

Most programs have tiered awards now. The 25k tickets are limited and usually for undesirable flight times. The higher point tickets have more seats available and in desired times and days.

I think it depends upon how far out you book. Delta has sky awards and sky choice. With Sky Choice, seats are always available for double the miles. With sky awards, the early bird gets the worm. If its somewhere that I really want to go, I call 330 days ahead and get sky choice.

 

[BethR]

We have been redeeming USAirways FF miles for 10 years and it was only in 2006 did we have to play around with times in order to get a 25000 mile round trip for coach travel. (We could always spend more to get a 1st class seat).

I believe that the new rewards system came about when USAirways merged with
America West.

 

[DebbieB]

Even though they retained the USAirways name, America West actually bought USAirways. That merger saved USAirways from bankruptcy.

 

[CarolA]

They gave us this on the way to Vegas this summer. Seemed like a good thing, but i'm now wondering if it is scam (the free round trip tix with 25,000 bonus miles. Oh well, we used the 99$ companion fare.

It's not a scam. Waiting until January for an April flight to a MAJOR desitination is just not a good move IMHO. Milage tickets can be reserved about 330 days in advance. To places like MCO, Hawaii, Europe etc, folks PLAN and book early.

Your other option is to keep waiting. I sometimes get a "cheap" milage DL ticket at the last minute.

 

[DawnCt1]

It's not a scam. Waiting until January for an April flight to a MAJOR desitination is just not a good move IMHO. Milage tickets can be reserved about 330 days in advance. To places like MCO, Hawaii, Europe etc, folks PLAN and book early.

.

I am up at midnight, 330 days before for those Hawaii tickets. I am flexible with my dates and I don't always get the seats I need on the first night. I then wait until its 330 days before its time to come home and do it again. I would NEVER waste my air miles on a flight that costs less than 350 RT. unless I had so many miles I couldn't begin to use them.