Backpedaling on policies announced in August, US Airways is closing the year with a Scrooge-to-Santa metamorphosis by reinstating some benefits for Dividend Miles elites.

Most notable is the return of Preferred bonus miles to as-if-it-never-happened status. Beginning November 20, and retroactive to flights since August 6, Chairman’s-level Preferred members will again receive 100% bonus miles per flight; Platinum-level members, 75%; Gold and Silver, 50% and 25%, respectively.

Also, like United (see page 5), US Airways is reinstating its 500-mile-per-segment minimum accrual, retroactive to May 1. Again like United, the perk is being restored only for elites. All program members, however, will receive the 500-mile minimum for flights on US Airways Shuttle, also retroactive to May 1.

We can only assume that these un-changes have been brought about by an uprising of Dividend Miles’ elite members pro-testing the carrier’s self-serving restructuring of the program. Good for them. Maybe now more mileage programs will realize that you should never underestimate the power of the elite.