Northwest WorldPerks (Discontinued Program) - Skyteam Elite Plus Lounge Access for WorldPerks Asia Gold Elite

It's beginning to look like I'm not going to requalify for Platinum (15k miles short), though the Mrs. might. However, it's also looking like I might be moving to Asia in Q2 next year (Thailand or China, unclear at this point).

Following on from this, I have a few questions:

(1) As I understand it, if I do move to Asia, my WorldPerks Gold Elite card would be a Skyteam Elite Plus card, which would mean I could still access Skyteam lounges on same-day int'l itineraries. Is this correct?

(2) Assuming (1) is correct, then it's down to practicalities. At the end of the day, the lounge matrons control access. Many have suffered, or heard stories of, situations where lounge access was wrongfully denied. I suspect that, in Asia, I wouldn't encounter such difficulties. But in other areas, am I actually going to be able to access non-NWA lounges, e.g., KL/AF lounges in Europe, CO/NW/DL lounges in the US, by flashing out a WP Gold card (even if it does say "Elite Plus" on it). What have others' experiences been?

I know there's been a thread on this in the past, but the useless search function isn't finding it. So I apologise in advance and if anyone can paste the link in here, then I'd appreciate it.

IIRC, you don't get the Skyteam Elite Plus designation. Instead, you get full WorldClub membership (your elite card will state that you have WorldClub access).

I don't know how this changes things for your planning.

Edit: Google searches work great when the FT search engine is down (FWIW, it should be up and running once the updated software is on). Here's a thread from May:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-553919.html

Thanks Slippahs, didn't realise that you don't get Elite Plus, just a free WorldClub membership.

Of course, I could always go to Flying Blue if I wanted to keep Skyteam lounge access as a Gold. But dealing with FB's customer service gives me the shivers.

Of course, I could always go to Flying Blue if I wanted to keep Skyteam lounge access as a Gold. But dealing with FB's customer service gives me the shivers.
I don't quite understand? If you switched over to an Asian mailing address, you'd receive a WorldClub membership, which would still grant you access to all NW/CO/DL (and partner WC lounges), and you don't have to be on an int'l ticket.

Are there particular lounges that you're interested in that you'd have access to as a SkyTeam Elite+ as opposed to a [comp'ed] WC member?

I don't quite understand? If you switched over to an Asian mailing address, you'd receive a WorldClub membership, which would still grant you access to all NW/CO/DL (and partner WC lounges), and you don't have to be on an int'l ticket.

Are there particular lounges that you're interested in that you'd have access to as a SkyTeam Elite+ as opposed to a [comp'ed] WC member?
I suppose you're right... I was just thinking about all the hopping around Europe I do, and many of the lounges that I use in Europe are either AF lounges or airport-run lounges (e.g., Servisair) that I get into because I'm flying on a KL international itinerary. These lounges aren't affiliated with WorldClubs in general.

Hmm... so, theoretically, someone who either lives in Asia or has access to a mailing address there can join WorldPerks and immediately receive full lounge access (including the US) while a faithful elite with thousands of miles of annual flying on NW has to sit outside the lounge door!

Fair?????

Hmm... so, theoretically, someone who either lives in Asia or has access to a mailing address there can join WorldPerks and immediately receive full lounge access (including the US) while a faithful elite with thousands of miles of annual flying on NW has to sit outside the lounge door!

Fair?????
No, this is a perk only given to Asia Gold and Platinum Elite members.

Further research has revealed that Slippahs was right, NW Asia Gold Elite is NOT Elite Plus (I thought it was), it is Skyteam Elite.

However, according to http://www.nwa.com/asia/en/freqfly/elite/lngbenefits.html it looks like the lounge benefits are pretty decent. I'm not sure how they exactly match up with Skyteam Elite Plus lounge access, but here's the text:

WorldClubs® and Affiliated Lounge Access†

As an Asia Pacific WorldPerks Platinum Elite or Gold Elite member, you receive complimentary access to all Northwest Airlines WorldClubs, KLM Lounges1, Aeromexico’s Salón Premier Lounges, Alaska Airlines Board Rooms2, China Southern Lounges, Continental Airlines’ Presidents Clubs, Delta Air Lines Crown Room Clubs, Malev Hungarian Airlines Duna Clubs and select Air France3,6 lounges.

When traveling, simply present your WorldPerks Platinum Elite or Gold Elite reference card for admittance. You may bring one guest with you free of charge when you visit a club6.

Located in major airports worldwide, WorldClubs lounges offer:

A quiet, comfortable place to relax during your journeys.
Friendly, personalized assistance with travel arrangements.
Complimentary snacks and beverages, including soft drinks, premium espresso, latte, cappuccino and more.
Current periodicals, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
Productivity-enhancing business tools, including private workstations, free wireless Internet access, self-service fax machines and photo copiers4 and conference/meeting rooms5.
Enjoy the WorldClubs luxurious design – featuring rich wood, stone and leather finishes with cozy fireplaces at select WorldClubs locations in Chicago O’Hare, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul and San Francisco.

Asia Platinum and Gold Elite members do not need to present a same-day ticket or boarding pass for entry to the Delta Air Lines Crown Room Clubs.

† Only Asia Pacific WorldPerks Platinum Elite and Gold Elite members age 21 and older are eligible for complimentary access to WorldClubs locations and affiliated lounges operated by our partner airlines.
1 KLM Lounges are available in most intercontinental and European destinations. Actual information on KLM lounges is available at check-in.
2 Must present valid WorldClubs card and ticket or boarding pass on a same-day Alaska Airlines or Northwest-designated Alaska Airlines-operated flight. Government-issued photo I.D. is also required.
3 When departing on or connecting to/from an international flight operated by a SkyTeam Member.
4 A fee is charged for these services.
5 Conference rooms may be reserved by the hour for a fee.
6 Guest restriction applies for Gold Elite member when accessing Air France lounges.


WorldClubs and Affiliated Lounge Locations*

Acapulco
Amsterdam (3 locations)
Anchorage#
Athens
Atlanta# (7 locations)
Austin
Bangkok (2 locations)
Beijing (4 locations)
Barcelona†
Berlin†
Birmingham, England†
Bombay/Mumbai
Boston (3 locations)
Brussels
Budapest (2 locations)
Cancun
Chicago - O'Hare (2 locations)
Chihuahua
Cincinnati (2 locations)
Ciudad Juarez
Cleveland
Copenhagen
Dallas/Fort Worth (3 locations)
Delhi
Denver (2 locations)
Detroit (4 locations)
Dubai
Dusseldorf
Fort Lauderdale (2 locations)
Frankfurt† (3 locations)
Geneva† (2 locations)
Glasgow†
Guadalajara
Guam
Guangzhou (2 locations)
Haikou (2 locations)
Harbin
Hannover
Helsinki (3 locations)
Hong Kong†** (2 locations)
Honolulu (3 locations)
Houston – George Bush Intercontinental (5 locations)
Jacksonville
Johannesburg
Kansas City
Las Vegas
Lisbon
London - Gatwick (2 locations)
London - Heathrow†
Los Angeles# (4 locations)
Madrid
Manchester, England† (2 locations)
Manila
Memphis
Mérida
Mexico City (3 locations)
Miami
Milan – Linate
Milan - Malpensa†
Milwaukee
Minneapolis (2 locations)
Monterrey
Munich – Franz Josef Strauss (2 locations)
Nagoya
Nashville
Newark (5 locations)
New Orleans
New York City – Kennedy (2 locations)
New York City – LaGuardia (3 locations)
Orlando
Osaka
Panama City
Paris – Charles de Gaulle†
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Portland# (2 locations)
Raleigh/Durham
Rio de Janerio†
Rome† (2 locations)
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco# (4 locations)
San Juan (2 locations)
Sao Paulo†
Seattle/Tacoma# (4 locations)
Seoul
Shanghai
Shenyang
Singapore**
Stockholm – Arlanda
Stuttgart
Taipei**
Tampa
Tijuana
Tokyo - Narita (2 locations)
Toronto†
Vancouver#
Venice
Washington - Dulles
Washington – National/Ronald Reagan (3 locations)
West Palm Beach
Wuhan
Zhengzhou
Zurich†

Indicates WorldClubs location - Northwest Airlines
Indicates Affiliated Lounge location
Affiliated lounges include airport common-use lounges and those operated by one of our partner airlines. Services, amenities and lounge policies may vary by location. Asia Pacific WorldPerks Platinum Elite and Gold Elite members may use the affiliated lounges during normal hour of operation.
* All lounge locations are subject to change, please check lounge availability at check-in.
** Asia Pacific WorldPerks Platinum Elite and Gold Elite members can access the lounge with a valid ticket or boarding pass during Northwest flight operating time.
# Access to Alaska Airlines Board Rooms must present a valid ticket or boarding pass on a same-day Alaska Airlines or Northwest-designated Alaska Airlines-operated flight. Government-issued photo I.D. is also required.
† Access for KLM or Air France lounge when departing on or connecting to/from an international flight operated by a SkyTeam Member. Guest restriction applies for Gold Elite member when accessing Air France lounges.

Further research has revealed that Slippahs was right, NW Asia Gold Elite is NOT Elite Plus (I thought it was), it is Skyteam Elite.

However, according to http://www.nwa.com/asia/en/freqfly/elite/lngbenefits.html it looks like the lounge benefits are pretty decent. I'm not sure how they exactly match up with Skyteam Elite Plus lounge access, but here's the text:

You don't get a separate WorldClubs lounge membership. Your Asia Gold/Plat Elite card just says "Access to all WorldClubs and affiliated lounges" or something to that effect. I've never needed to show my card at WorldClubs for access (they can look it up from your WP#), but affiliated lounges require you to have the physical card. Also, you can bring in only one guest (as against two with a WorldClubs membership).

No, this is a perk only given to Asia Gold and Platinum Elite members.

I may be wrong, but aren't those who apply for WorldPerks with an Asian address immediately comped to Gold status?

I may be wrong, but aren't those who apply for WorldPerks with an Asian address immediately comped to Gold status?

No this is not the case.

Northwest Asia did run target promotions for uping to Gold for asia based members for a limited amount of time (2-3 months), if I recall last year it was a 3 month gold period. No promotions this year to my knowledge.

I have a friend who's just a base member in Japan, no immediate or temporary comp offers.

You don't get a separate WorldClubs lounge membership. Your Asia Gold/Plat Elite card just says "Access to all WorldClubs and affiliated lounges" or something to that effect. I've never needed to show my card at WorldClubs for access (they can look it up from your WP#), but affiliated lounges require you to have the physical card. Also, you can bring in only one guest (as against two with a WorldClubs membership).
Technically, you do get a separate WorldClubs lounge membership. You just don't get a separate card. Being an Asian Gold/Plat elite cardholder means you have access to all the lounges normally provided with a WorldClub membership.

Technically, you do get a separate WorldClubs lounge membership. You just don't get a separate card. Being an Asian Gold/Plat elite cardholder means you have access to all the lounges normally provided with a WorldClub membership.

Fair enough...except for the number of guests rule.

No this is not the case.

Northwest Asia did run target promotions for uping to Gold for asia based members for a limited amount of time (2-3 months), if I recall last year it was a 3 month gold period. No promotions this year to my knowledge.

I have a friend who's just a base member in Japan, no immediate or temporary comp offers.

Last year's offers were for a status match plus a bunch of bonus miles.
The website for the status match is always available:
http://asia.nwa.com/asia/en/oaconversion/index.jsp