Originally Posted by jiburi
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)
This makes no sense. If both NW and UA both give 100% EQM, how can the conclusion be "ADVANTAGE NW"?
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.
UA already has announced 2005 Mileage Plus changes. There is no increase in redemption levels and there is nothing to suggest that this will change. Further, to say that NW provides more mileage earning opportunities is completely subjective. UA has/had a number of mileage promotions (Early Bird, etc) along with everyday online booking bonuses. In this case, your mileage really does vary.