We've taken the guess work out of upgrades. You don't have to worry about the ‘best time’ to call; we’ll process your upgrade automatically.

Special rules apply for travel to/from Hawaii and Europe. Preferred upgrades are valid for travel within the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Canada, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Upgrade notification

We send you an email the first time we try for an upgrade – no need to call. We'll continue to check for upgrades throughout the day and send follow up emails if we change your upgrade status – right up until 24 hours before your flight. If we're unable to upgrade your reservation up to 24 hours prior to departure, we'll process your upgrades when you check in online or at the airport (if they become available).

To be placed on the standby list choose the 'Add to standby list' link when you check in online. You'll only see the option to add yourself to the standby list if all passengers in your reservation are Preferred. If you're traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.

Please check your Dividend Miles account to make sure we have your current email address.

Preferred upgrade priority – advance travel dates

When you purchase a full fare (Y or B class) economy ticket, you are eligible for an instant upgrade to First Class. After your reservation is ticketed, we will automatically attempt to upgrade you around the clock until a seat becomes available. We prioritize full fare economy tickets over all other fares.

If you book a discount fare (any fare other than Y or B class), we prioritize your upgrade by Preferred level and within each Preferred level, by the number of Preferred-qualifying miles you've flown on US Airways and US Airways Express operated flights in the last 12 months. We begin processing upgrades for all discount fares at either 7, 4, 3 or 2 days prior to departure, depending on Preferred level:

Preferred upgrade time frame
Chairman's7 days prior to departure
Platinum4 days prior to departure
Gold3 days prior to departure
Silver2 days prior to departure

If we are unable to confirm an upgrade during our automated process, we'll try again when you check in for your flight. If seats are not available when you check in online, you can choose to be placed on the standby list.

To be placed on the standby list select the 'Add to standby list' link when checking in online. All passengers in your reservation must have Preferred status to have this option displayed at check in. If you are traveling with a companion, request that you and your companion be placed on the standby list at the airport.

Preferred upgrade priority – day of departure

  • If we're unable to confirm an upgrade seat for you prior to departure, you may request an upgrade when you check in.
  • Once check-in for a flight has begun, priority will be based upon Preferred level and then upon earliest check-in.
  • Please advise the gate agent at the airport if you're traveling with a companion.

Companion upgrades

One non-Preferred traveling companion can upgrade when traveling on the same reservation as a Preferred member with a qualifying paid ticket. The companion will be upgraded at the same time as the Preferred member.

Preferred upgrade terms

  • Preferred members enjoy unlimited complimentary upgrade opportunities in valid markets.
  • The number of seats allocated for upgrades are capacity controlled.
  • Travel must be booked using an e-ticket (electronic ticket).
  • If there are multiple Preferred members traveling within the same reservation, upgrade priority will be determined by the highest-level Preferred member in the reservation.
  • Flights must be sold as a US Airways operated flight to be eligible; flight purchased as a codeshare through one of our partners will not be eligible for upgrade.
  • Certain discounted fares and award travel tickets may not be eligible for upgrades.
  • Your frequent flyer number must be included in your reservation and the name on your frequent flyer account must match the name in your reservation.
  • Attempting to use another Preferred member’s account number constitutes a violation of the rules of the Dividend Miles program.
  • If you've received a Preferred upgrade, you cannot replace your Dividend Miles account number with another program’s account number unless you choose to be downgraded to Coach.
  • US Airways reserves the right to change, temporarily suspend or discontinue any or all aspects of the Dividend Miles program at any time with or without notice.
  • All terms and conditions of the US Airways Dividend Miles program apply.