How does Continental stack up?
Apr 18, 2008 | 9:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: NWA Platinum, World Club Member, Former Delta Platinum
Posts: 82
How does Continental stack up?
I'm currently platinum on NWA and was the same on delta, before I bailed on delta. But with the merger between Delta and NWA looming, I might be looking for another FF program. I fly between the U.S. and France and U.S. and Tokyo often, as well as a lot of U.S. domestic flights.
For those who have have had both NWA status and Continental FF status, how do they compare on:
1) Ability to get upgrades
2) Ability to get award flights
3) Costs associated with 1 and 2, if any
Thanks,
For those who have have had both NWA status and Continental FF status, how do they compare on:
1) Ability to get upgrades
2) Ability to get award flights
3) Costs associated with 1 and 2, if any
Thanks,
Apr 18, 2008 | 11:05 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
CO makes the cost of international upgrades lower than NW/DL as you can upgrade from any fare, albeit with co-pay. The main advantage there is that you don't have to pay for the extra fee unless the upgrade clears. The availablility is subject of many a debate here, with some saying it is impossible and others saying it happens regularly. I'm 1/2 and that was 4 years ago, so not really a good data point.
Domestic flights you're likely to get more upgrades on NW than on CO.
Also keep in mind that there are really no details out yet about what the new SkyMiles is going to look like after they subsume WorldPerks, so that could change many things.
Domestic flights you're likely to get more upgrades on NW than on CO.
Also keep in mind that there are really no details out yet about what the new SkyMiles is going to look like after they subsume WorldPerks, so that could change many things.
Apr 18, 2008 | 11:34 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montclair, NJ (near EWR)
Programs: CO Plat, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 71
FWIW, I've had good luck with BF mileage upgrades (especially when I was a Plat--waitlist clears by Elite level).
But this year even as a Silver I cleared the list many weeks ago on an outbound to CDG (albeit on a 777--more seats available).
Plus, CO just ISNT NW or DL--that's reason enough to switch!
But this year even as a Silver I cleared the list many weeks ago on an outbound to CDG (albeit on a 777--more seats available).
Plus, CO just ISNT NW or DL--that's reason enough to switch!
Apr 18, 2008 | 1:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAS, SAT, IAH
Programs: Flying Nut
Posts: 6,368
If you do enough flights a year I would try to get elite status (to some level) on both NWA and CO this year as the results of the mergers will be ironed out during 2009 and thus you will secure elite through 2010. This would also cover you in two potential alliances. During 2009 you then can review the changes to the various programs and go with your new program of choice.
Apr 18, 2008 | 5:05 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United LT-GS, AA LT-Plat, Hyatt LT-Globalist, Hilton LT-Diamond, Marriott LT-Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 15,816
I'm currently platinum on NWA and was the same on delta, before I bailed on delta. But with the merger between Delta and NWA looming, I might be looking for another FF program. I fly between the U.S. and France and U.S. and Tokyo often, as well as a lot of U.S. domestic flights.
For those who have have had both NWA status and Continental FF status, how do they compare on:
1) Ability to get upgrades
2) Ability to get award flights
3) Costs associated with 1 and 2, if any
Thanks,
For those who have have had both NWA status and Continental FF status, how do they compare on:
1) Ability to get upgrades
2) Ability to get award flights
3) Costs associated with 1 and 2, if any
Thanks,
Apr 18, 2008 | 7:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: the American West
Programs: Aiming for less
Posts: 4,065
I would just sit tight. Both CO and NW offer great products and similar FFPs with different pluses and minuses. With the NW/DL merger no one knows really how it will turn out, including staff. If you have NW status, I'd encourage to continue status quo until a) we know whether CO/UA/AS/US/VS/SQ/EK/etc. will actually merge b) we know what FFP NW/DL will have adopt if their merger is successful and c) what the entire landscape of FFP realignment will be.
Apr 18, 2008 | 11:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
I'm currently platinum on NWA and was the same on delta, before I bailed on delta. But with the merger between Delta and NWA looming, I might be looking for another FF program. I fly between the U.S. and France and U.S. and Tokyo often, as well as a lot of U.S. domestic flights.
For those who have have had both NWA status and Continental FF status, how do they compare on:
1) Ability to get upgrades
2) Ability to get award flights
3) Costs associated with 1 and 2, if any
Thanks,
For those who have have had both NWA status and Continental FF status, how do they compare on:
1) Ability to get upgrades
2) Ability to get award flights
3) Costs associated with 1 and 2, if any
Thanks,
no idea where you fly out of so I can't answer...
If you go to asia, its NW or UA, no other choices absent you being in a hub with direct service. Re CDG, also a question of where you are. UA and AA give top level elites 6 international upgrades... if you were unhappy, I would consider that, but again its where you fly out of. If it would be IAH, then CO is ok, if its EWR, forget about it...
Apr 19, 2008 | 1:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 179
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I'm thinking of dabbling in CO as well. I had status a while back, but haven't flown them at all lately.
I'm thinking of dabbling in CO as well. I had status a while back, but haven't flown them at all lately.