PHOENIX, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA) announced today that it is offering customers a shortcut to earning FlightFund Silver Elite status. The airline recently became the first low-fare carrier to win Inside Flyer magazine`s prestigious Freddie Award for Best Elite-Level Program in the Americas. As a result, America West created this special offer to give even more travelers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the award-winning program. Customers simply register for the shortcut to elite offer at www.FlightFund.com , book their travel at www.americawest.com , and fly six roundtrips from now through Sept. 30, 2003, in order to earn FlightFund Silver Elite status through Feb. 2004*.

Nearly 250,000 frequent flyers cast ballots and voted America West`s FlightFund Elite the Best Elite-Level Program in the Americas in the Freddie Award competition. This category is the most coveted Freddie Award because of the value airlines place on their frequent flyers. America West is the first low-fare carrier to earn the prestigious honor.

“Our frequent flyers constantly tell us how much they value the benefits we offer our elite members,” said Kenneth I. Feldman, vice president, marketing. “Our special shortcut to FlightFund Silver Elite status is designed to give more travelers an opportunity to experience FlightFund`s robust offerings.”

America West`s FlightFund Elite program offers a wide variety of perks including generous mileage bonuses; priority check-in and security line access; preferred seating; early boarding; priority reservation phone lines; and unlimited, space available, first-class upgrades.

FlightFund has more than 50 partners that allow members to earn miles for everyday activities including hotel stays, renting cars and dining out. In its 16th year, FlightFund continues to offer one of the most generous mileage earning and redemption programs in the industry. Domestic award travel begins at just 20,000 miles year round. Members can redeem miles for award travel to over 300 destinations on five continents.

Founded in 1983 and proudly celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2003, America West Airlines is the nation`s second largest low-fare airline and the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline status. Today, America West serves 94 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

   
* Qualifying flights will begin only after the customer registers for the elite shortcut offer.  Travel must be on America West Airlines and America West Express qualifying paid fares.  All terms and conditions of the FlightFund program apply.  Customers should allow four weeks upon date of qualification for elite membership credentials to arrive in the mail.

 

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