United and US Airways Announce Benefits For Frequent Flyer Program Members

United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) and US Airways today announced that customers enrolled in each carrier’s frequent flyer programs will benefit from the codeshare agreement between the two airlines beginning next month. The U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday concluded its review of the carriers’ codeshare proposal, allowing United and US Airways to move forward with their agreement, first announced at the end of July.

“We’ve told our customers that they will benefit from this agreement and we mean it,” said Chris Bowers, senior vice president-Marketing, Sales and Reservations. “We understand how important and valuable United’s Mileage Plus® program is to our frequent customers. I’m pleased to announce that our award-winning frequent flyer program just got even better. Now Mileage Plus members and US Airways’ Dividend Miles members can begin to enjoy reciprocal access to each company’s program starting in just a few short weeks.”

Effective Nov. 1, Mileage Plus members will be able to earn accrue flight miles and class-of-service bonus miles on US Airways, US Airways Express and US Airways Shuttle operated flights worldwide. Additionally, US Airways Dividend Miles members can begin accruing miles on United and United Express operated flights. Flights on United and US Airways will earn 500 minimum miles in either program. Miles may only be accrued in one program for each itinerary. Also, beginning Jan. 1, 2003, members in each program can begin to apply the miles they earn toward elite status and earn elite bonus flight miles.

Mileage redemption and other Mileage Plus and Dividend Miles benefits will be available to program members in early 2003.

In the meantime, United and US Airways customers can begin enjoying access to each other’s airport clubs on Oct. 14. This includes access to United’s Red Carpet Clubs® and US Airways Club locations. US Airways Club members traveling on a same-day United ticket will have Red Carpet Club access and vice versa.