Free Buy Up to Chairman Status? US Airways’ Misleading Website Design
Poor website design gave one of our reader’s a shock when he logged into his US Airways Account to buy-up to the next status level. It looked like there was a mistake and instead of being impossible, buying up to Chairman’s would be free! Much cheaper than spending $2324.65 for Gold.
Note: Name was changed to protect the innocent.
Of course he immediately tried to purchase it and got an “unable to process request” message. Nothing like the early morning thrill of thinking you’ve found a mistake deal.
The sad thing about this is the layout is intentional! As of March 1, you can only buy up to a status you’re within 25,000 miles or 30 segments of reaching. But rather than removing the other options or at least indicating in someway they’re available, they’ve made it look like there’s no charge.
Not surprising, since the technology has quirks like including flights after midnight when searching tickets for the previous day, but not exactly sporting either! 🙂
Of course, if this is a glitch and someone manages to buy free Chairman’s status, please let us know!
(h/t: Phillip)
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I was Chairman last year, only qualified for Platinum this year. Just checked and it shows $2324.65 to buy up back to Chairman.
I also got the $0 for all levels other than Gold. Comes up error though when processing.
Got it!!
I tried to see if that would come up for me, but when I put my info in, I got a note that popped up saying “Chairman’s Preferred status is the highest Preferred level in the Dividend Miles program.” It wouldn’t let me go any further than the login screen. I’m only a gold, so it’s odd.
Would this be covered under any law that if you show the price you have to honor them? – can worth a try 🙂
I tried it with silver and it worked! Put the number of a Vanilla reload (no balance) and it worked, I’m trying GOLD or Chariman but still not working … anyone know of any way or law under which the U.S. honor the website?