Originally Posted by
ajacpril
Hi folks,
A bit intimidated trying to learn about a new airline after flying AA almost exclusively for 4.5 years.
I found this thread very interesting when considering whether to make NWA my second airline, and would appreciate help with a few questions:
1. Any chance NW will match AA EXP to Plat?
2. Plat Elite benefits did not include anything similar to AA's VIPs. Is the only way to upgrade intl itineraries using WP miles? Are there any base fare restrictions?
3. What's the success % NWA Plats have on the LAX-EWR route with CO (Mon red-eye out and Fri evening back) assuming its a mid-tier economy fare?
Thanks in advance.
1. I wouldn't necessarily count on a match to Plat, even if you're EXP on AA. Generally, AFAIK, most airlines won't match top-tier to top-tier. But you can always ask for a straight-up match. And if they only offer Gold, ask for a Platinum challenge (i.e. fly X number of flights in Y days in some fare class or something like that).
2. As mentioned, there are elite extraperks. There are also NW AnyFare upgrades floating around. I think those are awarded through the BizPerks program and you might have to trade for those. Short of those, I think mileage upgrades are the best routes, and right now, you can only upgrade trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific itineraries on eligible paid Northwest Y and B type fares, Continental Y and H type fares, and on KLM S and B type fares.
3. I don't know, but generally on a flight like that, I think CO is going to have a lot of its own Plats. Plus, CO generally has fewer seats in FC on the same aircraft type as NW. Although, they do have 7 (7?!) flights daily between LAX-EWR, so maybe you'd have a shot?
If you're going to be flying CO a lot, it may be worth considering a match over to CO. What is it about earning in WorldPerks but flying CO that you like?