As American Airlines and US Airways begin their merger process, they’ve begun adding benefits to both sides.  As of now, you can redeem American miles for flights on US Airways, and vice versa.  On the flip side, you can also credit mileage earned when flying to either airline (when the merger is complete, the miles you hold with each airline will be merged together).  It seems as though the airlines are trying to get passengers used to the idea of the two airlines becoming one.  So starting today, through March 2, 2014, they’re adding an extra incentive for you to credit miles to the other airline instead of to the one flown.

If you take a flight on American and credit those miles to a US Airways account (as opposed to crediting the American flight to your American account), they’ll actually give a 50% bonus.  You do have to register for the promotion (and you have to register separately with each airline if you want to cross-credit in both directions), but you can register anytime, even if you’ve already booked your flights.

• American Airlines Registration Page (for crediting US Airways flights to an American AAdvantage Account)
• US Airways Registration Page (for crediting American Airlines flights to a US Airways Dividend Miles Account)

Once registered, you would just need to go into your reservation and enter your frequent flyer number for the other airline so that you cross-credit.  The primary down side (and reason why you would not want to cross-credit your flights) would be if you have elite status with only one airline, you would not be eligible for elite upgrades.  For example, if you are a Platinum Preferred member with US Airways, when you travel on US Airways (and book a reservation under your US Airways account), your elite benefits would kick in and give you the opportunity for a complimentary upgrade.  But if you chose to enter your American AAdvantage number for a reservation to take advantage of this promotion, you would no longer be eligible for your upgrade (since you’re traveling as an American Airlines member, not as a US Airways member).  But for the average flyer, this can be a great way to earn some extra miles on an upcoming trip.