Elite qualification question
 

I am platinum ekite on NW, but am wondering what I would qualify for on other airlines since NW has become so difficult about international upgrades. I have flown 87,000+ miles and 42 segments this year. What would that qualify me for status on other carriers?
Thanks.

Esteban

You have to call other airlines and find out.
They may or may not give you a comp status.
It's unlikely that they'll give you one if you live in or near one of their hub cities.

TWA comps Elite 1 (Gold) and UA will comp their 2nd tier level as well. CO will not comp a NW elite. DL will also comp Gold. I think Intl upgrades are becoming more difficult on ALL airlines so good luck.

If you're talking about re-directing your flight patterns next year and plan to fly the same amount, this would qualify you for AAdvantage Platinum status on American Airlines

------------------
I wish I were 1,000 miles away

Is this just an assumption or are you basing it on the experience of others?

I'm asking because I think it is inaccurate. It's very common that when someone moves to a competing airline's hub that the competing airline does comp status.

A colleague who was Gold Medallion in DL moved to Houston. CO comped him to Gold One Pass.

Typically that level of mileage/segments (87K miles/42 segments) would qualify you for mid-level elite on most airlines (Gold or similar), not Platinum like you have on NW ... but I didn't think that level would even qualify for Platinum on NW (though I'm not that familiar with their program)

Thanks for the replies. Given that my main airport is MSP and it is likely as difficult to get international upgrades (most of my flights) with miles on most airlines, I may be better off staying with NW since the platinum threshold isonly 75,000 miles. I'll definitely make that level again. I have already benefited from an operational upgrade due to status on a transatlantic flight.

Esteban

Where are most of your international flights to??

I hope the weather in MSP stays clear this weekend-- I fly in Sat and out on Sun., and the forecast doesn't look good. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

NW is definitely ahead of the rest with top-tier qualification at 75K miles, versus 100 at other major US airlines. They're also ahead with their 125% mileage bonus at that level, versus 100% (same as 2nd-tier) at the others. If NW continues to fit your flight patterns and you don't have any other major problems with them, I'd stay.

I timed my only comping wonderfully, getting UA Exec Prem status through 2/02 for me and Prem for my wife. We were even awarded the "Thank you gift" for loyal Elites, although I haven't had a chance to fly them yet.

NW also sent me "We'll comp you, too!" info (for AA Plat), but we'll save that option for later in life.

I also was just informed about the Hilton Gold fast track promo (on that board, but someone went so far as to e-mail me privately), and will now get extra points and whatnot from my upcoming 3 Hilton stays that were planned even without their current promotions. (dbl dbl dipping, etc.)

So comping can sometimes work out alright!

-KP

CO is 75K for Platinum, their top tier.

Both NW and CO require a nice 75K for their to highest elite level, but please keep in mind as they are approx 4th and 5th in airline size, they have fewer planes going to fewer locations than UA, AA and DL or whomever. Less flights mean less opportunities for elite miles.

Since Intl' upgrades are becoming difficult on all airlines(except with the use of magic UA 1K Systemwide), I don't think it is smart to move to another airline. NW's int'l upgrade policy on transpacific routes is still very good.

If you can adjust your flying pattern to make you a UA 1K, the move may be worth it, otherwise you are essentially move from one difficult-to-get-intl-upgrade airline to another.

By the way, I don't think the suggestion to switch to CO is good for you.
1. CO will not comp you.
2. CO is more diffult about Intll upgrade than NW. (though you can use CO miles to get upgrade on NW)
3. CO's business first is no longer a superior product to NW's new world business class.

Those are just my two cents.


[This message has been edited by VinceLee (edited 12-08-2000).]

Hi, MisterNice

You forgot the perks of NW & CO's elite.
NW elite can earn elite miles on CO and vice versa.
Combining their routes together, the opportunity for earning miles on NW/CO is not less than UA/AA/DL.



[This message has been edited by VinceLee (edited 12-08-2000).]