<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by doglover:
I took another look at the program. The program does seem to be primarily aimed at International Travellers.
Clearly, Northwests existing program benefits DOMESTIC travellers. So a strategy that benefits INTERNATIONAL travellers is very complementary. I applaud NW for it.
But it still doesn't solve the problem of enabling DOMESTIC PLATS to upgrade to WBC with a reasonable program. Buying any fare upgrade certs on EBAY is still the most economical way to fly WBC.
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Not only International Travelers but high-revenue travelers as well. Given that it applies to full-fare classes, it appears to be an attempt to reward those top-tier fliers that direct large sums of money to NW. But as RC says, it is another attempt to reward high-fare fliers without punishing the majority of NW elites.
I am quite happy with the segment that the Platinum Points program targets as I see it as a limited group. The idea of Plats earning points and being able to "gift" elite status to others would concern me, but the very limited nature of the program makes this far less of a concern.