I am platinum on CO. Have been since they decided gold was no longer elite enough and they wanted to get rid of bronze. 53,000 miles flown over 94 segments. I fly out of ORF and primarily fly NW, since they transfer to my OP account. I book most of my travel 2 weeks in advance, as my company requires it. With the new change to OP, I am thinking of transfering my status to NW, since they require fewer segments to reach plat than the new OP rules. I will fly the same amoumt, but get half the segments. I will make gold on miles, but no more Mr. Platinum. American also flies out of ORF, as does USA and SW. I am so pissed at CO fpr changeing so much over the last 7 years. I remember when we used to get mileage bumps when we hit elite levels each year. When Gold was #1, but then I digress. Any thoughts on switching? Thanks!

I am currently (2004) OP Platinum. An associate of mine is NW member.

The biggest difference we have compared against is that when I fly on NW using OP account, ALL segments flown on NW count for CO OP, regardless of fare class paid.

When my associate flies NW using his WP number, he only gets credit for certain segments depending on the class of the fare....thus he gets gold for 2004 and I get platinum.

Of course if you get the miles, this isn't applicable...but usually I go be segments for my account status.

The new changes to the OP program would do the same as the NW program. According to the rules as I read them, I would only get half the segments based on my fare pattern. Unless? the segments booked on NW count full on CO?

I've never bothered to read the rules/policies, but you might be interested to know that of the 110K miles I logged on NW last year, I only had ONE elite qualifying segment and that was due to a computer glitch.

NW has always been a stickler on awarding segments.
... which means you have to fly more expensive fares to get segments and with the changes in OP, from what I understand, if you book a ticket on CO.com until the end of 2004 that is flown on NW booked in V, L, T, or K class, you'd earn 1 segment, otherwise 0 segments will be offered for those flights.

Depending on what fare classes your flights are normally booked in, NW is the obvious choice with CO's recent change to EQMs. Under NW's Elite Qualifying Segment rules (which has been pretty constant for a few years now), however, you might just make Gold on NW too. Doesn't look like a win-win situation for you

Don't know how you'd transfer the status since NW won't comp (unless in rare circumstances) CO elites and gate agents are cracking down on the switch-at-the-gate strategy.

Good luck on your decision.

aloha

[This message has been edited by slippahs (edited Jan 02, 2004).]

I believe you only receive full credit on discounted fares booked via co.com only on CO metal...so the NWA equipment would still be subject to the new rules (50% credit) and same for DL

I think you should stay with CO OP. We don't need anymore elites on NW!

(tongue planted firmly in cheek)