Originally Posted by Jano
I think there is an "inflation" in NWA miles. I have a "monetary theory" about this.
NWA is letting us earn more miles (Milezilla, etc.). So, there are more miles earned out there per person per year (than let say UA miles). So, value of 1 NWA mile depreciates faster comparing to 1 UA mile, because 1 NWA mile is less scarce than 1 UA mile. To fight this depreciation, NWA has to increase the cost of award fares in some markets.
Now, if "1 NWA mile is less scarce than 1 UA mile" is true and if we suppose that it costs about the same in $ to fly someone on an award ticket, then in some markets NWA may want to charge us more miles per award ticket than let say UA.
It's only my theory. I could easily be wrong and this may not make sense
I believe this is true in many ways, but contradicting those thinking of switching to UA, I think NW miles are just as valuable, if not more as UA.
EQM:
ADVANTAGE NW
As an elite, UA provides 100% EQM, just like NW, but platinum requalification is 75,000 with NW, 100,000 with UA. The only spoilers to NW's 100% EQM policy is Continental and Delta's 50% policy on deeply discounted tickets. I must add that UA does have a fee based "double EQM" promotion going on right now though. (This promotion can be a major heartbreaker to fee paying double EQM'ers if UA decide to change mileage redemption levels)
MILEAGE EARNING POWER:
ADVANTAGE NW
Both airlines provides standard "mileage flown" miles of its flights and its partner flights. The marked difference is the elite bonus miles. UA will only provide elite bonus (25% Premier, 100% Premier Exec and 1K) to United, US Airways, and Lufthansa(transatlantic only) operated flights. No elite bonus miles are awarded for any of its other Star Alliance member flights(eg. Air Canada, SAS, ANA, BMI, etc). NW provides elite bonus miles (50% silver, 100% gold, 125% platinum) to
EVERY AIRLINE PARTNER in addition to the regular flown miles. (Obviously, the region where you begin and end your flying can definitely impact this, as you may not see service to your region) Also keep in mind that if your flying more than 75K, your NW platinum status will earn more miles than 1K at UA.
UPGRADE:
Advantage NW-Domestic,
Advantage UA-International
Upgrading is a different creature all together, where NW will provide its elites, high percentage of complimentary domestic upgrades. UA scores better on international upgrades for elites. Domestically, as a NW Plat, I'm 100% on NW upgrades (34 segments out of 34), and 87.5% at Continental (7 out of 8), and 67% at Alaska Airlines (4 out of 6). As a UA Premier Exec, I have to pick and choose where I get my domestic UA upgrades. I've only gotten 3 UA segments upgraded out of about 24 segments. UA, however scores better on international upgrades, as they provide for complimentary systemwide upgrades to some of its higher elites. They are, however limited to amount of certificates you earn.
MILEAGE REDEMPTION:
Advantage UA for 2005 non-elites, Draw for Elites
Since Non-elites don't see any additional bonus miles, United is probably the winner (for 2005) with its lower award level. United, however, hasn't announced changes for 2005. For the 2004 levels, I think UA and NW is a draw. For frequent flyers, however, it would be a wash. NW provides more mileage earning opportunties(flown miles, bonus elite miles and non-flown promotion) than UA, but due to an upcoming 2005 increase in redemption level, NW elites may need to cough up more miles. UA hasn't announced any award changes yet, but despite its current lower redemption levels, United doesn't give out as much elite bonus miles as NW. In addition, United has less "non-flight" bonus miles earning opportunities.
Jiburi '04