US Airways Dividend Miles Elite Status

US Airways has a four-tiered Elite Status program with tiers called Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Chairman’s Preferred. You can earn each of these levels by flying 25,000 miles (or 30 segments), 50k miles (or 60 segments), 75k miles (90 segments), or 100k miles (120 segments).

All Elite Status members get unlimited upgrades for themselves and for a companion, luggage and standby fees waved, and they will not face any blackout dates when booking rewards (though this does not mean that reward seats will necessarily be available on every flight on every day). Gold members also get upgrades that clear a bit earlier than Silver members, while the real rewards kick in at Platinum, as they also get upgraded to Envoy Sleeper seats on flights to Europe where they’re booked in Envoy (business) Class.

Chairman’s Preferred members previously received free lounge access, though that is not longer available unless you fly 150,000 miles a year. Chairman’s members do get 2 Envoy Class upgrades to Europe each year, a personal liaison at the airline, and upgrades to first class whenever they fly on a full coach ticket.

How to Get Elite Status without Flying: US Airways previously had a program where you could purchase Elite status. Like many US Airways programs aimed at business travelers, those days are gone. However, the US Airways Visa Signature card offers not only 25,000 bonus miles with your first purchase, but also Elite-like features such as priority check-in and priority boarding. In addition, you can purchase unlimited space available upgrades. Since the free upgrades are so rare anyway on US Airways, you’re basically getting the majority of the Elite benefits just by having the card. Yes, restrictions apply, and the card caries a $90 fee.

US Airways Secret: US Airways flies some 757s where they do not sell any first class seats. However, there are a handful of first class seats on each plane. Dividend Miles Preferred members can get these seats for free, while others can purchase for as little as $5 per segment. When booking your flight, be sure to ask if you’re on a 757 and if the first two rows are considered “Choice Seats” for purchase.

Mileage Expiration

Dividend Miles expire after 18 months without activity. As with other airlines, any activity – even if you don’t fly – will keep your account alive.

Learn More About US Airways Dividend Miles

US Airways Dividend Miles Overview
US Airways Hubs and Routes
US Airways Earning and Using Miles
US Airways Dividend Miles Elite Status
US Airways Dividend Miles Elite Status Matching