As of last month, AAdvantage elite status members can upgrade to first class on US Airways flights within 24 hours of departure for flights within and between the U.S. (excluding Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America on a first come, first served basis. If a seat is not available, you can add yourself to the upgrade standby list and your status will be taken into consideration comparable to US Airways elite status members. Just as for US Airways elite members, these upgrades are complimentary for the member and one traveling companion. You can read more about these changes at http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?11554
US Airways Chairman’s Preferred members will get upgrades within 24 hours of departure, while all other elites, Dividend Miles Gold, Platinum and Silver Preferred members, will be able to upgrade at the cost of $30 per 500 miles of travel. The upgrades are available for the destinations mentioned above, except Hawaii is included when US Airways members are upgraded on American flights. US Airways members do not have the option to add themselves to an upgrade standby list and will have to resort to asking for any upgrade at the gate. You can read more about these changes at http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?11555
As of Aug. 1, 2014, US Airways Dividend Miles travel booked will see a rise in redemption levels for roundtrip travel on medium and high awards between the continental U.S. and Canada to match AAdvantage AAnytime mileage award levels, as well as see a rise in first class awards on three-class service within and between the continental U.S. and Canada on oneworld and partner flights from 50,000 miles to 65,000 miles roundtrip (the same amount that Dividend Miles members have been redeeming to fly on American Airlines).
Bottom line: Complete integration of the two FFPs will occur in 2015 and all award mileage balances, Million Miler balances and elite-qualifying activity from both programs will be combined into the new program at that time, although no exact date has been mentioned.
