(Also posting this to the NW forum)

I'm investigating a new FF program (currently a PM at DL), and would like some assistance with the differences between the CO and NW programs.

To the best of my research, the differences are:

CO uses EUA exclusively, while NW allows agent action
CO allows full credit for NW CyberSavers, NW is 250 miles only
Differences on segment qualification (not relevant for me)
World Clubs have more affiliated locations than President's Club
NW limits baggage to 50 lbs, CO is 70 lbs

Similarities are:

Domestic upgrade qualifications
No international upgrades except for mileage upgrades
Cross-airline upgrades probably done after own FF members

Unknown (rumor) factors:

CO's EUA discriminates on the basis of fare
Switch at the gate (from the Nonepass website)
Does NW have any restriction like HoKeY fares?

Anything that I have left out? Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Companion upgrades on CO are much better than NW. The pecking order actually gives preference to Plat and Gold companions over SE on CO.

I don't think NW does that 30 day period for purchasing upgrades with miles. Doesn't CO not allow upgrade purchases more than 30 days prior to a flight? I know of no similar limit on NW.

In regard to companion upgrades, CO is much better in one respect. As a CO Gold elite, when a companion and I fly NW (with me already confirmed in F), I can only upgrade my companion at the gate for each segment. For example, if I fly LAX to MSP to JFK, I can get the companion upgrade LAX to MSP, and then get the companion upgrade to JFK in MSP, not at LAX -- they won't issue the companion upgrade the whole way through.

With CO, past experiences has allowed me to get a companion upgrade the whole way through, or at least get my companion added on a standby list for the 2nd segment if I couldn't get it to begin with. NW will only start a standby list or issue companions at the start of each segment.

Two questions here:

1) I know I read this previsously but can't seem to find the answer through a search. How long is this Frequent Flyer arrangement between NW and CO valid according to the terms of their initial agreement?

2) How secure are CO frequent flyers in the belief CO will not follow suit in the near future with some of the DL changes such as no credit for segments or only partial credit for discount fares?

------------------
Frequent travel to: ABE, BDL, EYW, GNV, MDT, OKC, PDX, and RDU.

SEA - you should definitely consider differences in equipment, if you're considering things like baggage allowances.

NW has an aversion to IFE, which makes a domestic long-haul trip far less interesting. On the other hand, NW does fly the chubbies with FC on short routes.

If you travel to the East Coast frequently, you'll want to be on CO metal. If you travel to the East Coast on award tickets, I think you want to be OnePass.

I'll fly a chubbie over Barbie's Dream Jet any day.... :-)

CO elites have better award inventory on CO and same inventory on NW as NW elites. NW elites do NOT have availability to CO's elite award inventory.

Asia award structure is different. Less miles from GUM to NRT on NW. More miles on NW from GUM to CNS. Careful.

NW gold/plat get upgraded on domestic award tickets. No upgrades on CO award flights.

Redeposit fees are different, or at least have been. More for NW in past.

No longer will be able to Hold NW awards for 2-3 weeks. Can hold with CO.

Dedicated elite line with NW.

No change fee or something similar NW awards when done online. Don't believe that CO will have same type of "no fee" options.

....jl2

Gold & Plat. Silver has nothing.

I don't know about the initial agreement, but it looks like the current one is scheduled through 2025.

www.nwa.com "... Nov. 16 Continental and Northwest execute definitive agreements ... and an extension of their alliance agreement through 2025.


www.continental.com "...Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines executed definitive agreements ... and an extension of their alliance agreement through 2025.

[This message has been edited by ilovemiles (edited 12-29-2002).]

I'd choose NW over CO.

I have recently been treated better as a CO gold elite by NW than by Continental.

About a month ago, I flew on a NW issued reward ticket (using NW miles, NW aircraft) and at the airport, I showed my CO gold card and was kindly upgraded to 1st as space was still available. I know I wasn't entitled to the upgrade as I am not a NW elite, but they were glad to do it.

Then a few weeks ago, I was traveling on a CO issued reward ticket (using CO miles). When I showed up at DCA, I asked about an upgrade, as I saw the flight was practically empty (about 12 passengers in coach, 1 or 2 seats empty in 1st). I was strongly denied the upgrade, even when I asked if they preferred the seat to remain empty. I know the rules, but talk about a bad way to treat a "loyal" customer. Bye bye CO - I am using up the last miles I have - although it isn't easy to find seats......

I don�t know CO allow full credit on NW�s Cyber saver. Can anyone confirm this?

My 2 cents:
CO's Onepass requires 10,000 miles on Hawaiian inter-island rewards, while Northwest Worldperks only asks for 5,000 miles.

CO's partner�s rewards normally require more miles than NW's partner's. (CO's Eva Airways asks 200,000 miles for F class, NW's Malaysian Airways asks only 130,000 miles for the same North America- Asia route.)

CO�s participation to Hilton (1 mile to 2 points) and Amtrak (CO- Amtrak- United Mileage Plus) gives Onepass miles a bit more liquidity.

CO�s domestic First class is generally better than NW�s. Better food and IFE make your long trip goes faster.

I am in the same situation of deserting DL.
If I am a top tier can I expect something similar to DL's unlimited upgrades for elites at time of booking.

Are there certain fare classes that need to be booked to make this work

Thanks

This was the clincher for me; that and the fact that CO allows segment-based elite qualification. I've asked for (and have been told that I will probably receive) a CO comp to Plat, but expect to fly NW most of the time simply because of the greater availability of F seating. I've lived with DL's tundrajets out of CVG for several years now, so I'm not keen to repeat the baby-plane experience on either NW or CO.

My tentative plan is to figure out what routing (on NW or CO) will give me the most exposure to F seating (no Barbiejets, please!), and then buy the cheapest ticket, whether it's ticketed as NW, CO or as a codeshare.

While this is true for cheap tickets, a high fare buyer will qualify for NW Plat more quickly than CO Plat on segments alone. Currently, CO requires 90 segments to obtain Plat, while NW is only 60, albeit in restricted classes. I am trying to plan a way for Mr. Fish to obtain status on both, by using CO for long hauls and leisure trips, and NW on his daytrips where he doesn't really need upgrades anyway. This would enable a seamless switch from CO to NW Plat without having to switch numbers at the gate.

Robin