Sep. 27 -- Thinking about cashing in US Airways frequent flier miles? You might want to do it before Oct. 5, when the airline plans to raise the minimum number of miles for a free trip.
With US Airways and America West planning to seal their merger today, the airlines Monday unveiled a new frequent flier program -- one that looks a lot like US Airways' old program but with a few alterations.
Perhaps the biggest change: the elimination of a discount for booking offseason award tickets on the airline's Web site. That means the minimum number of miles needed for a domestic round-trip ticket will increase to the industry norm of 25,000 miles, up from 20,000 miles.
Travis Christ, the incoming vice president of marketing for US Airways, says the higher threshold will make award tickets more widely available.
A chief complaint about frequent flier programs is the difficulty of obtaining award tickets.
Christ says a main benefit of the new Dividend Miles program is the ability to fly to Hawaii, Europe or the Caribbean for a "reasonable" number of miles. It also offers perks for elite travelers.
"You pile all these good things into the basket, it's an extremely competitive program with outstanding reach," he said.
On FlyerTalk.com, a Web site for travel junkies, some hard-core fliers gave mixed reviews to the new program. Some were especially critical of a change that reduces mileage bonuses for Silver and Gold Preferred members, the lowest two levels of the elite traveler program.
Travelers who fly more than 25,000 miles a year receive expedited check-in and boarding and are eligible for free, unlimited upgrades to first class.
"Hmm. Trying to find something good in this," wrote "hoobly," a Gold Preferred member. "Not a good start for elites in this new company."
But "jumpgate," a Silver Preferred member from the Newark, N.J., area, wrote: "Overall I'm happy with this."
- Elimination of discount for off-peak tickets obtained over the Internet.
- Can use frequent flier miles for new Western destinations on America West. US Airways and America West are integrating flight schedules in the coming months.
- Addition of fourth elite tier, Platinum, between Gold and Chairman's. Qualification levels remain mostly the same: Silver requires 25,000 miles flown per year (or 30 segments); Gold requires 50,000 per year (or 60 segments); Platinum requires 75,000 per year (or 90 segments); Chairman's requires 100,000 per year (or 120 segments, up from 100). The higher the level, the greater the odds of a first-class upgrade.
- Reduction in mileage bonus for Silver and Gold Preferred. For paid tickets, Silver members will receive 25 percent extra mileage, down from 50 percent. Gold receives 50 percent extra mileage, down from 100 percent. Platinum receives 75 percent. Chairman's remains at 100 percent.
- Can continue to use miles for upgrades. Details to come.
- Can continue to redeem miles by phone or on the Internet, www.us airways.com.
- Can continue to earn miles the same way: by flying, charging on US Airways Dividend Miles Visa or by using partners such as hotels and car-rental agencies.
- Round-trip coach ticket to Hawaii will cost 35,000 miles. Airline begins flights to Hawaii in December.
Reward Current policy New policy (starts Oct. 5) Free domestic coach ticket (continental U.S.) 20,000 miles if booked online, for travel between Sept. 15 and Feb. 28; otherwise 25,000 25,000 miles Free coach ticket to Caribbean, Mexico, Central America 25,000 miles if booked online, for travel between Sept. 7 and Nov. 14; otherwise, 30,000 30,000 miles Free coach ticket to Europe 40,000 miles if booked online, for travel between Oct. 1 and April 30; otherwise 50,000 50,000 miles
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