Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - NWA Upgrades on Transborder Flights?

I understand that FB Platinums qualify for automatic elites on domestic NWA flights. Does this rule also apply to transborder flights to Canda? I'm planning to take NW 1020 from Edmonton to MSP, connecting to NW 46 to Amsterdam in March. Any insights would be much appreciated.

I understand that FB Platinums qualify for automatic elites on domestic NWA flights. Does this rule also apply to transborder flights to Canda? I'm planning to take NW 1020 from Edmonton to MSP, connecting to NW 46 to Amsterdam in March. Any insights would be much appreciated.

It does apply to transborder flights between the continental US and Canada. It does not apply to flights to Hawaii, or intercontinental flights.

Thanks, tlr, that's good to know. As the flight is coming up in six days, I'm wondering how the process will work. I have entered my Flying Blue card number, is there anything else I should do? When and how do I know whether my upgrade clears?

I recommend using the FT search function since this has been discussed many many times. If your FB # is in your NW reservation your upgrade comes automatically. Log into your reservation and you will see when you get upgraded, usually 6 days out for Plats.

I remember reading somewhere on these forums that if your flying blue number is stored on the system with a KL prefix then NW did not recognise your status. You needed to use the AF prefix if you wanted the system to pick up your status.

Not sure if that's still true, but it may be worth checking and changing your FB number to use an AF prefix if appropriate.

Last year I know if you viewed your booking on nwa.com, the dropdown for your frequent flyer number still had KL as Flying Dutchman and AF as Flying Blue.

Got UG on YYZ-DTW and DTW-YYZ this week. Always good to check with NW 5 days before flight just to make sure your FB number was inserted correctly. I've never had a problem, almost 100% UG cleaarance over last 5 years

I remember reading somewhere on these forums that if your flying blue number is stored on the system with a KL prefix then NW did not recognise your status. You needed to use the AF prefix if you wanted the system to pick up your status.

Not sure if that's still true, but it may be worth checking and changing your FB number to use an AF prefix if appropriate.

Last year I know if you viewed your booking on nwa.com, the dropdown for your frequent flyer number still had KL as Flying Dutchman and AF as Flying Blue.

you have no way of entering a KL number into the NW system, this has been 'fixed' more than a year ago.

Got UG on YYZ-DTW and DTW-YYZ this week. Always good to check with NW 5 days before flight just to make sure your FB number was inserted correctly. I've never had a problem, almost 100% UG cleaarance over last 5 years

Then, I'm probably just particularly unlucky. I have just checked the reservation status with NW and I'm still seated in coach even though the flight is only two days away. Do you think calling them would help?

Then, I'm probably just particularly unlucky. I have just checked the reservation status with NW and I'm still seated in coach even though the flight is only two days away. Do you think calling them would help?

NW agents can't process upgrades by phone. If possible, check in online 24 hours ahead. Early check-in seems to help last-minute upgrade chances. NW seems to be holding more FC seats til the bitter end in hope of actualy selling them. Thus, fewer automatic advance upgrades, more "battlefield" upgrades at the gate.

I remember reading somewhere on these forums that if your flying blue number is stored on the system with a KL prefix then NW did not recognise your status. You needed to use the AF prefix if you wanted the system to pick up your status.

I think that has changed for the better -- on a recent (an an upcoming) NW itinerary, my frequent flyer number was in there with the KL prefix, and upgrades (for the recent) / exit row seat selections (for the upcoming one) worked.

Incidentally, if you want to check whether Northwest knows your status, just go to their web site and try to select preferred seating or exit row. That will tell you what's going on.

I think that has changed for the better -- on a recent (an an upcoming) NW itinerary, my frequent flyer number was in there with the KL prefix, and upgrades (for the recent) / exit row seat selections (for the upcoming one) worked.

Incidentally, if you want to check whether Northwest knows your status, just go to their web site and try to select preferred seating or exit row. That will tell you what's going on.

even better, klick on your FQTV number and on the next window it should read Platinum / Elite Plus (or whatever you are). Is this does not show (correctly), you will be out of luck for EUA.