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If you’ve got reservations on US Airways for flights on or after September 20, you’d better check your itineraries after September 4. As reported in Travel Weekly (registration required), the airline is merging the fare class structure and codes between America West and the old US Airways. Flight numbers are changing as well for all reservations made before September 1. The changes will go into effect between September 1 and 4.

What this means:

Travel agents will need to accept the schedule change and cancel the old segments to ensure their clients have a smooth experience with Web and kiosk check-in, automated first class upgrades and seat assignments, the airline said.

Anytime I see “cancel segments,” I get nervous. And with reason: I’ve had itineraries get completely messed up after a schedule change required an agent to cancel and rebook segments. On US Airways, no less!

Hopefully tickets purchased directly from the airline will automatically update, but you’d be wise to check your itineraries after September 4. Look for missing segments, seat assignments, frequent flyer account numbers, and upgrade requests.

An FAQ, aimed at travel agents, but illustrative of the scope of the changes, is here.

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tags: travel | US Airways