US Airways hasn’t been doing status matches for a while, but have rather allowed you to Buy Up To Preferred (now only one level) or purchase Trial Preferred Status (still going on).
If you start the Trial Preferred program on or after July 1, 2014, and successfully complete the requirements, the status will now be valid until February 29, 2016.
You can access US Airways web page for Trial Preferred here.
US Airways Dividend Miles program will merge to American Airlines AAdvantage one in Early 2015 and taking advantage of Trial Preferred program now would allow you to get up to the Executive Platinum status (Chairmans maps to EXP).
Flights operated by American Airlines and American Eagle are also qualifying under the Trial Preferred program.
You need to decide at what level you would like to start your Trial Preferred. Silver costs $200, Gold $400, and Platinum $600. You will get the status for 90 days during which you need to complete:
- Silver: Fly 7,500 miles or 10 segments
- Gold: Fly 15,000 miles or 20 segments
- Platinum: Fly 22,500 miles or 30 segments
- Chairmans: Fly 30,000 miles or 40 segments
If you start with the Silver level for $200, you can go up to the Chairmans level just by flying the required number of miles or segments. The status is now valid until February 29, 2016, for successfully completed challenges.
Conclusion
I am actually surprised that the US Airways hasn’t yet withdrawn this offer when the timescale of the program merge to AAdvantage has already been communicated.
This is an easy way to get up to the Chairmans/Executive Platinum status IF you can fly the required 30K miles within 90 days. Perfect for those that would like to start with the Dividend Miles/AAdvantage program and don’t have status with any other airlines.
Here are the terms and conditions of this Trial Preferred:
This program is available only to non-Preferred members. Dividend Miles members must fly a minimum number of miles or segments to keep Preferred status for the remainder of the program year. Members may enroll in the Trial Preferred program only once in any consecutive 12-month period. Members who did not requalify for Preferred status for the current year are not eligible to participate in the Trial Preferred program. Only elite-qualifying miles earned on flights operated by US Airways, US Airways Express, American Airlines and American Eagle can be applied toward the Trial Preferred program. The program participation fee is non-refundable. Federal excise tax of 7.5% will be added to the purchase price. Only bookings made after the member’s status has been upgraded reflect his or her new status. Preferred status earned through the Trial Preferred program is only valid in the Dividend Miles program through February 29, 2016 for members who purchased Trial Preferred after June 30, 2014. Members who purchased Trial Preferred on or before June 30, 2014 will receive their earned Preferred status through February 28, 2015. Associated First Class upgrade benefits are based on availability and only available on US Airways and US Airways Express-operated flights.