US Airways Dividend Miles members who aren’t already elite members can receive a 90-day trial of Silver Preferred status this summer. To qualify, register at http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?2678 and purchase a nonrefundable ticket at usairways.com for travel on US Airways or US Airways Express for travel within the U.S. by Aug. 15, 2010.

The Silver Preferred trial status will take effect within one to seven days of when you purchase the ticket. Silver Preferred benefits include two complimentary checked bags per flight, 25 percent bonus miles, 500-mile minimum on short flights, Star Alliance Silver status, space available upgrades and priority check-in and boarding, among other perks.

Your trial Silver Preferred status will be valid for 90 days. The last day to register and purchase a ticket is Aug. 15 and your travel must begin by Sept. 15, 2010.

If you participated in the “Best Trip Ever” promotion in 2009, or have participated in a US Airways Preferred trial program in the last 24 months, you are ineligible for this promotion. You are also ineligible if you received a Preferred elite level status match from having elite status in another airline’s program in the last 24 months or if you did not requalify for the same Preferred status in 2010 as 2009.

Bottom line: If you are planning on traveling on US Airways in the next few months, be sure to register for this promotion. Not only will you get two free checked bags, but you can also take advantage of 25 percent bonus miles and other elite benefits during the 90 days. Don’t count on getting upgraded though. As a lowly Silver, you will be last in line for complimentary upgrades.