Look, I like US Airways. Yes, I realize that places me a little behind everyone else, but they really are running a reasonably reliable airline. They also sent me an email tonight that details something useful they are offering to some flyers. US Airways is calling it PreferredAccess. Here’s the scoop according to them.
Soon we will extend the PreferredAccess program to allow non-Preferred customers to add priority check-in, security and boarding to their trip during Web Check-in for a fee. This new program will not change your Preferred benefits. You’ll still enjoy complimentary priority check-in and security as you do now. In addition, you and your traveling companions will still board with the same priority – right after First Class and Envoy passengers. Customers who pay for PreferredAccess will board after you. And, you’ll continue to enjoy all the rewards of being a Preferred member, including unlimited complimentary upgrades, waived baggage fees, Preferred seating and more.
This is nothing that the other airlines aren’t doing. Offering certain “preferred” services in exchange for a fee. One thing I will say. This adds fuel to the fire of those who say that entry level elite status is no longer worth pursuing. I mean seriously, most of the airlines are offering the benefits of entry level status to all flyers, either through a credit card or these fee-added offers. Yes, I still get an upgrade to first class from time to time that these benefits don’t offer, but I have to acknowledge that most of the benefits of entry level elite status are now matched by carrying a particular credit card of your preferred airline or by paying a small fee. What do you think?
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Waiting for the day, not far off I’m sure, when a naive economy class flyer arrives at the airport early, and lines up first in the boarding line. Then ends up being the last person to board, since the every other passenger had “priority” boarding. LOL
Interestongly the us airways MasterCard does not offer first bag free unlike must competitor airline cards.
Soon to be known as PreferredAAccess…
In a way, US was already there. After all, you could buy status without every flying on the plane. It’s just a package version of buying a UA Economy Plus membership or paying all the a la carte fees.
It’s refreshing they sent an email to elites letting them know about adding this new ancillary fee for non-elites. A bit more proactive than other (my) airlines just starting to sell or pawn it off without notice to their loyal flyers.
Will the next step be a ‘Main Cabin Extra,’ ‘Economy Plus,’ or ‘Economy Comfort’ product?
They still need to add some sort of priority boarding for star silver. Seems sorta low-rent not providing *anything*. The mobile boarding pass implementation is not good either (seriously they can’t send an attachment rather than a link? Data connections are always sketchy at airports)
With that said, for my purposes, US does a good job when I need them to (namely when delta prices me out or does not have a late return available from locations in the southwest US) They also credit 100% to A3 so the star silver thing should go away fairly soon.
I have little experience with US but as a DL Silver I’m quite happy. About a quarter of my upgrades clear, I get priority boarding and I get a nice chunk of bonus miles that a DL AMEX holder doesn’t get. Even at 25%, it’s still a nice 6000 or so mile bonus
@Stacey I agree. Even as Silver, I get access to these things before others. Not a big deal, bit I still thing worth noting.
I like US Airways too.
Since they’re only offering it at the time of check-in, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I still get my benefits before anyone else đŸ™‚