American Airlines, US Airways to offer reciprocal first class upgrades

IN BRIEF | American Airlines and US Airways are offering free first class upgrades to elite travellers in the opposite airline’s loyalty program.

From July 11, status-bearing members of American Airlines’ AAdvantage can be upgraded to first class on US Airways at no charge when flying within the United States (excluding Hawaii) and to Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America.

Frequent flyers enrolled in US Airways’ Dividend Miles program are eligible for upgrades on AA – including to Hawaii, but a charge of $30 per 500 miles flown applies to all but Chairman’s Preferred members.

In both cases, upgrades can be requested within 24 hours of wheels-up, so we’d recommend checking-in online and snapping up an upgrade if one is available.

For more details: One Mile at a Time

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.