I must be in this love/hate relationship with NW... and at least I didn't note it as a hate/love relationship! And I'll even say it... this is exciting!

(And I've had my overdose of morning caffiene, so watch out... )

Let's start with the love... praise all that is good and holy that NW has finally started to recognize people for the $/time they invest, to achieve Platinum. For the first time ever, it appears that Plats, via normal flight patterns, can receive awards that are flat-out not purchasable, in any way I know of... 2500 EQM at 60k, Silver Elite gift at 90K, Gold Elite gift at 120k, SWUs at 120k and 160k. And I hear harps playing... and start the chanting... SWUs are here, SWUs are here! On any paid fare! Somebody get me an AED! (And yes, almost all of these were achievable with Platinum Points, but we've discussed to death the rediculous RIO for Plat Points... 30 TATL flights in paid-C for 50k RDM?!?!)

Next, to the hate... stop with the offering of under-valued repemptions options! It's insulting! 10K RDM for 90k EQM? ...?!?! Someone plops down how many $k, and you offer something worth $100? How can NW offer something such as Gold Elite Giveaway, and a 90-day WC pass, in the same promotion? And no SWUs at 90k? I'm with some people here... I at first thought all of the bullet-points were being offered, then when you read the bold, it's a choice of the bullet-points. C'mon, what's the 60k worth? Day passes are $45/per, sweepstakes entries have no value, and $50 is $50. $110 + 2500 EQM for 60k BIS miles, instead of a choice? Let's see it!

What would it take for me to say that this isn't just a game-winner, but an out-of-the-park World-Series-in-4-games promotion? Add (2) SWUs at 90k, change to (4) SWUs and 25k bonus miles at 120k, change to (4) SWUs and 50k bonus miles at 160k, change to 25k EQM increments (from 30/40k increments), have a reward selection for every 25k after that (for those that fly 200k a year)... and make it all items, not a choice of items. To repeat... stop with this confusing increment stuff... 25k EQM increments is required for Elite status, ExtraPerks qualification and rewards should be in 25k increments.

And did I sign up? Better believe it! I was 90% committed to requalifing as Plat in '07, and this is the push over the edge to keep Plat. I can measure the cost to get to 90K (Silver gift), and 120k (Gold gift), and now I'm 25% commited to 90K, just for that reason. And for the first time ever, I'm thinking of flying past 75k. But 40k more to get (2) SWUs? Nope. (4), most definitely (2 pax R/T)... (2)? Nope.

And how about a sense of humor? How about at each level, you get a baggage tag that says "I flew X EQM this year, and all I got was this lousy baggage tag". Talk about being able to poke fun at yourself, and the industry.

I don't want NW to walk away from this thinking "geez, why can't these customers be happy?!?!", but let's consider this a start to the great, incredible, and rediculously exciting things to come, in '08...

Steve B.