Partner Elite - What does it mean?
 

I'm not sure if this belongs here or on the DL forum, but here goes:

I am a lowly DL SM and CRC member, I am also only a NWA WP BUT a WC member...when I go to do seat assignments on NWA do I get "Partner Elite" privileges for seat assignment?? Do I get "Partner Elite" boarding preference?? Would NWA comp me to 'silver elite' ???

Thanks, and sorry if there's a thread with these answers already!

Delta SM will get you premium seating as well as preboarding privs.

You can always try for a comp, but I doubt they'll give you one.

aloha

You can get priority seating, but you need to call NW directly. The DL/NW/CO systems do not talk directly like the CO/NW do.

Good question, the answer is: Depends on whom you ask.

My Story: Booked a business trip on NW earlier this month. I used my DL SM number for the FF program. So, now that DL and NW are one big happy SkyTeam family, I decided to cash in on the "Alliance" elite benefits.

Reservationist 1: She confirmed I could book preferred seats but my DL SM status wasn't in their system, so no luck on the preferred or exit seat. She also told me, in no uncertain terms, that exit row seating canNOT be reserved by ANYONE (elite or otherwise) on any NW flight until check in. She then told me that even DL does not allow advance exit row seating. As a DL MM, this really torqued me off :mad:, and I politely told her (in no uncertain terms) that she didn't know what she was talking about. I couldn't feel the love in the conversation after that, so we parted ways. No seats on MSP/MCO for this Medallion scum bag... :confused:

Reservationist 2: This guy at least heard of SkyTeam. Said that not all of the DL member info was ported to the NW system yet, and that if I call back after 9/15 the two systems should be merged. OK, I can buy that. :rolleyes:

Today, Reservationist 3: Not a clue. She told me NW does not have an elite arrangement with DL and there is no way to get (as a regular WP member) a Preferred seat in advance. I read her the NW seating chart that said:

"Available premium seat (Available to customers with WorldPerks Elite or partner Elite status, business fare purchase and customers with disabilities or specific needs.)"

She said that it did not apply to Delta and I could not get a seat until check in and there was nothing she could do. :confused: Request denied...

Wondering if SkyTeam was really just a dream (albeit a bad one at this point)...One last try.

Today, WorldPerks Rep.: This guy also said there was no elite level reciprocity with DL (say whuh?). So I read him the SkyTeam page and also information from the NW website. He knew nothing about it. I pressed and asked why NWA would put this on the web site? Reply: no web access to check it. (Can you say "brush off" ?) I persisted, so he put me on hold and came back and said I was right (it wasn't a dream!) and offered me preferred seating. He also somehow added my elite status into the system.

Prologue: I went online and was able to reserve EXIT rows on all of my flights!(..and cancelled appointment with therapist to talk about bad dreams.) :p

Good ending, but we shouldn't have to go through this. Good luck and keep asking until you get the right answer.

Thanks, I got lucky!
 

Thanks for the input, I got very lucky... the World Perks agent got me right into the system as an elite and even changed my seating to the priority seats. Now, we'll see what happens when I print out my boarding pass and try for elite boarding at the gate, I wonder if the GA's are as knowledgeable as the WP RA is....






^

Maybe the systems are finally talking to each other. That would be a nice switch from the surly DL GA at SLC who gave me the business about presenting my CO Platinum card with their SM elites.

The other GA must have been a supervisor, because he came up right behind the surly GA and said (with clenched teeth and voice that reeked of anger), "We've talked about this! Now do it and stop complaining!"

growing pains...
 

sounds like there are lots of growing pains, which btw, are recipricol when flying DL by us NW elites.....I was expectings lots of growing pains as each airline gets use to everything and each employee learns about the new changes....CO & NW had lots of growing pains when they hooked up but now it's smooth riding, for the most part....give em a break and be appriopirately pushy when needed....time will heal

I got a letter today saying that NWA Plats get...
 

access to all Skyteam lounges on an international ticket. Did I read the letter correctly? I posted the same question in the CO section. Thanks to all.

Under the original codeshare agreement between DL and NW, I don't think there was any reciprocity as far as prefered seating went. I know there was and still is no reciprocity as far as Elite Upgrades go.

Under the Skyteam alliance elites from any of the 9 partner airlines are supposed to have access to the preferred seating on all the alliance companies.

Yes, Benjoe I got the letter from Beth today also and it has been posted on the websites now for two weeks. As a Platinum (or top tier in any Skyteam program)you are considered a Skyteam Elite Plus, therefore when traveling on INTL itineraries on any partner airline you have acess to their lounge on the day of the flight. I think it is arrival or departure. A nice benefit if you ask me.

A great benefit -- has anyone had success (or failure or been given a hard time) in using their Plat cards to access ST lounges on international itineraries? Thanks.

To address a point in TechToot's post, DL does permit advance exit row seating, but you need to be at least Gold to make that happen. DL GMs can log on and select exit row seating.

I think that the platinum card should do until all carriers get their computers updated. However, you are supposed to use your boarding pass and it should state ELITE PLUS on it. NWA is behind the ball and they still say Platinum/Gold/Silver. By the first of the year, all carriers should be printing out the same info on the BP.

A CO PC rep told me the other day that they were supposed to be accepting Plat cards until the BP's all come into line on Intl reservations. I have a WC membership, so it was not an issue with me.

Thanks for the affirmation. I'll put this to the test on October 12.

Help!...NW Plat...Need Exit Row Seat on Delta
 

ok...I'm a NW Plat...how do I get a exit row seat (if not yet assigned) when I fly on Delta? The agent on the phone said it was not available to me because I'm with NW, not Delta....is there a special number I should be calling?

I am not sure you are entitled to an exit row. The Skyteam website says you have access to Prefered seating. DL may not classify Exit as Preferred.

However, I would call back and explain to the agent that Skyteam rules are now in place and they are more liberal than the original DL/NW agreement. Tell her you would like to be afforded the benefits of any SkyteamElite Plus member, NOT the benefits afforded a NW Plat.