ifette

In addition to being NW PE, I'm also Gold on Delta. I just got the following email. Key points: will still get the 50% MQM bonus on Y/B/M DL fares (i.e.w ill probably keep 50% EQM bonus for Y/B on NW), and upgrades are coming to DL for award tickets.

MikeMpls

They bought off the DL side of the aisle, the NW side is still screwed.

Jaimito Cartero

If they can be bought off so cheaply, then they deserve what they get.

GUWonder

So true. DL has won this battle against the customers as long as the customers are fooled into thinking they have won anything from DL management.

DL management taking a lot away from "loyalty" program customers and then giving back a fraction of what DL management has taken ...... this is not a victory for the customers -- it is a victory for con artists.

ADLFO

I don't agree. I'm still ready for the Shareholder Meeting DO. I think a great number of posters on the DL side are still cautious. A little perfume in the stockyard won't cover up the smell for long. You'll need to forgive us for celebrating DLs very small retreat. Sentrys are positioned and no peace treaties have been signed.

I do empathise with those of you on the NW side. You had a fine a/l with an even better FFer program. It is a shame that those in current managment don't recognize both that fact and the reality that keeping its FFers happy is just good business.

MikeMpls

Oh, I'm still going to shareholders meeting. Wouldn't miss it!

Guess I'll have to buy some new stock. I believe my prior holdings were kind of wiped out.

Daytona

Looks like NW just matched the changes at Delta:

-----

Dear xxx,

Here's the latest on the WorldPerks program.
We're working hard to bring together the frequent flyer programs of Northwest and Delta Air LinesŪ. As a part of this effort, we are aligning the WorldPerks and SkyMilesŪ programs with the goal of creating a single, best-in-class loyalty program for our combined members by the end of 2009.

What does this mean for our most-valued Platinum Elite customers in 2009?

We will continue to offer several core benefits that you have told us are important to you including: Unlimited Complimentary Elite Upgrades on all Northwest and Delta operated flights - the only top three carrier to offer complimentary upgrades for all elite customers Preferred security access, priority boarding, and preferred seating Select fee waivers including the direct ticketing charge, award redemption fee, and baggage fees A new three-tiered award system and removal of the Saturday-night stay restriction on Award Tickets giving you more options and choices when booking award travel

Along with these benefits, we will modify the reissue and redeposit fee waiver for Platinum Elite members. Effective March 1, 2009, we will waive this fee for two different reservations per year and collect $50 for each additional award ticket change. Also, the Platinum Elite mileage bonus will change from 125% of mileage flown to 100%.

Remember, you can now re-qualify for Platinum Elite status by earning 75,000 Elite Qualification Miles or 100 Elite Qualification Segments. And coming soon: Bookings in Y, B, and M classes will earn a 50% mileage bonus which also counts towards Elite Qualification You will be able to link and transfer your miles between your WorldPerks and SkyMiles accounts in early February Platinum Elites will now enjoy six new system-wide upgrades allowing upgrades on both domestic and international flights

Thank you for your loyalty and this summer we will share more details of our 2010 Elite program, which will offer more choices, benefits and access.

Stay tuned for more WorldPerks news.

Bob Soukup
Managing Director
WorldPerks Marketing
-----

This brings up an interesting point: Will NW M-fare earn 50% EQM then?

ashi_seattle

Nice compromise on the award ticket re-deposit/re-issue fee, I can certainly live with 2x per year.

I wonder what the timeline for "Coming Soon" is on the 6-systemwide upgrades and M-class Elite bonus...

ADLFO

From the DL side, I'm wondering if PMs/PEs are going to get 6 NW style (read: better) SWUs or just the same lame DL PMUs.

SAT Lawyer

While I guess very few of us are oblivious to these changes, I think the title of this thread is misleading in that it implies that NW (the new DL) has reduced Platinum award redeposit fees that already existed, when in reality it has merely blunted the impact of the fees it recently announced. The end result is still a significant net loss, yet the threat title suggests that NW/DL have done us a favor.

slippahs

Better now?

(Original thread title wasn't mine but one of the OPs, hopefully this clarifies things. And of course we're all limited to character limitations with thread titles)

Fredgoblu

It looks like some of the upgrade questions are answered in today's email.

Exactly how well the "complimentary upgrade" works, and how well the 6 system-wide upgrades work will be a question. But, for this trans-Atlantic flyer, I'm at least happy now to have a shot at some upgrades. I've got to be about 1 for 60 (roundtrips, not segments) over the last few years by now...even with the phantom program last year.

------------------------------------------------------

Here's the latest on the WorldPerks program.
We're working hard to bring together the frequent flyer programs of Northwest and Delta Air LinesŪ. As a part of this effort, we are aligning the WorldPerks and SkyMilesŪ programs with the goal of creating a single, best-in-class loyalty program for our combined members by the end of 2009.

What does this mean for our most-valued Platinum Elite customers in 2009?

We will continue to offer several core benefits that you have told us are important to you including:

• Unlimited Complimentary Elite Upgrades on all Northwest and Delta operated flights - the only top three carrier to offer complimentary upgrades for all elite customers
• Preferred security access, priority boarding, and preferred seating
• Select fee waivers including the direct ticketing charge, award redemption fee, and baggage fees
• A new three-tiered award system and removal of the Saturday-night stay restriction on Award Tickets giving you more options and choices when booking award travel

Along with these benefits, we will modify the reissue and redeposit fee waiver for Platinum Elite members. Effective March 1, 2009, we will waive this fee for two different reservations per year and collect $50 for each additional award ticket change. Also, the Platinum Elite mileage bonus will change from 125% of mileage flown to 100%.

Remember, you can now re-qualify for Platinum Elite status by earning 75,000 Elite Qualification Miles or 100 Elite Qualification Segments. And coming soon:

• Bookings in Y, B, and M classes will earn a 50% mileage bonus which also counts towards Elite Qualification
• You will be able to link and transfer your miles between your WorldPerks and SkyMiles accounts in early February
• Platinum Elites will now enjoy six new system-wide upgrades allowing upgrades on both domestic and international flights

Thank you for your loyalty and this summer we will share more details of our 2010 Elite program, which will offer more choices, benefits and access.

Stay tuned for more WorldPerks news.

Bob Soukup
Managing Director
WorldPerks Marketing

GUWonder

The DL PMs like myself got 6 of the same lame DL PMUs that I toss into the garbage each and every year going back a good number of years now.

MikeMpls

It's quite underwhelming, actually. They squandered a lot of customer good will & drove many members to the competition in the process. We never should have had to invest any time and resources fighting these idiotic changes.

And don't forget that NW elites are still being inflicted with:

1. Close-in redemption fees
2. Reduced mileage bonuses for Silvers & Plats
3. Increase award redemption costs
4. 3-tier award calendar

etc.

And no, 2 freebies & reducing the fee to $50 thereafter is not a compromise. It sucks. The two freebies are what we now know as a Jeffie:.

FlytheTail

I received the same E-mail. Interesting verbiage:I take this to mean that if we have multiple tickets/passengers in the same reservation, that only counts as one reservation. Do others interpret the same thing?