Silver is worth it. The 50% miles bonus alone is justification enough. Also, you will generally be upgraded on flights that are half-empty. Your first couple of free upgrades are really really nice, let me tell you.

I went from no status to platinum status on CO in the last 5 months, all from 15 trans-con flights I booked during seat sales at CO and NW. I work in SF and my fiancee is in Toronto.
Answer: yes, NW Silver gives you basically the same benefits on CO - 50% miles bonus and a shot at an upgrade. Make sure that you ask to get on the upgrade list when you get to the airport, though, because CO might not know you are an NW elite. Booking on nwa.com would be better, because that way NW tells CO that you are elite, and your upgrade will be processed automatically, I believe.

I was Silver for much of the year last year and it was great. I'm pushing for my BF to get Silver this year as well. On NW metal I had a great upgrade percentage (~66%) and on CO metal closer to 30%. Regardless the 50% bonus miles is great on CO/DL/NW/KLM metal as well. Definately go for it.

Definitely worth it for pre-board luxary alone!! No more checked-in/lost luggage!

DCA is a tough market for upgrades. Consider flying DCA-DTW-IAH. In addition to the 100% EQM credit towards NW (vs. 50% on CO), I think that may be an easier upgrade for you.

Thanks for the tips and info!

peace,
~Ben~

Good idea in terms of upgrades and miles, but since I only get to see her once per month, I go for the non-stop that gives me more time in Houston and less on a plane. Thanks, though!

Also, as absurd as this may seem, when I go to the airport, the CO flights are frequently listed as a NW codeshare, but when I search on nwa.com, they never come up in the search for sale. Weird. Any tips on this? Sorry if this is too tangental to this thread.

I'm also torn between going for Silver with NW and just switching to taking RTs on United to score that free RTW ticket for segments to and from DC. Looks like I have to sit down and think about all of this some more before I book my next flight.

peace,
~Ben~

I agree. If you fly mainly out of DCA, you can pretty much forget upgrades as a Silver unless you fly Saturday mornings.

As a platinum out of DCA, I'm 2/10 for upgrades to MSP this year, and 3/6 to DTW.

That said - DO IT. The 50% bonus miles and ability to grab select seats in advance alone are worth it!

My current thinking is to just book my RT to Korea in July on NW to qualify for silver instead of flying on Korean Air like I was planning because even though it is 2-3 stops each way instead of non-stop IAD-ICN (too bad NW isn't in SkyTeam yet!!!). Then I'll just start going United out of WAS until I get the free Int'l or RTW ticket or if UA flight schedules suck, stick to CO and start enjoying the perks of being Silver.

Do you think it would be feasible to take the KAL non-stop and just not enter a FF# and then hold on to the BP / ticket until NW is part of Skyteam and then ask for credit for the flight in WP? Or would this get negged as a flight having taken place prior to the partnership commencement?

Thanks for all of the input guys! I'm going to go for it one way or another.

peace,
~Ben~

I agree it is worth it as well. I am elite on their partner, HP, and found their recognition even on trips to Asia quite worthwhile to secure aisle seats and pre-board.

Another thing to consider - if you're going to be flying between LAX and MKE, "lowly" Silver would probably be enough for an upgrade on 95%+ of the nonstops between the two cities. First rarely fills up on these flights. Minimal status is enough to secure an upgrade on most of the trips.

Search for them on expedia.com. I do not think they can sell them hub-to-hub CO flights at nwa.com.

Are these 50% bonus miles EQM's or just base miles? I'll be Silver by Sept., for the first time, and Gold by Christmas if the bonus miles are EQM's. Steve H.

Bonus miles are base miles. Generally the only way to get EQM is to have your Butt in a seat.

One thing I have not seen mentioned which I think is a great benefit at the holidays is elites at ANY level are still allowed to check up to 70 lb bags free of charge. If you get upgraded to first class you are allowed to check 3 bags (up to 70 lbs) and coach class up to 2 bags.

Since I live away from my family this is a great benefit during the holidays.

If you are a student this is a great benefit also.

In addition the pre-boarding almost assures you will have overhead space available to you.

So if you can do one run and get it I would say ABSOLUTELY worth it.

All my travel is for pleasure and on my own dime and I have qualified for at least silver for the last 5 years. This year I just hit Plat in June for the first time and it is worth every penny.