I knew I upgraded from the standard battery to the extended range option on the new laptop for a reason; just didn't know what that reason was

It sounds like someplace, somewhere 25K has become some kind of internal standard. I remember a thread in another forum once upon a time about someone getting a cert for EQM miles (obviously not NW).

I did get three of those 500-mile vouchers in coach last year when power port didn't work. I used them eat in one of the restaurants during connection.