Of course it is highly flawed, simply giving an example. None of this is science!

My point was that a coach domestic award is a quarter of a trans-atlantic WBC award but rarely will the fare be a quarter. I simply used an example that recently came up during some travelling. You certainly can find examples to contradict me if you wish.

That doesn't change the fact that NW has made a devaluation that some of the other main carriers have not made. My miles were worth more before than they are now. Price isn't an factor for me in terms of worth - I personally will never pay 7,000 or even 3,000 to fly in WBC - its just a fact.

UA vs NW:

Domestic US in UA's biz class is comparable to NW's F-class - UA is 40K, NW is 45K

US48 to Hawaii - UA's biz is 60K, F is 80K, NW is 75K for F

US48 to Asia/Oz - UA's Biz is 90K - NW is also 90K to Asia, but 110K to Oz, try finding award availability.

With UA, you can upgrade - in early 2004, I was able to buy an H-fare that came out to about 940 after taxes for IAD-SEA-NRT-BKK-NRT-LAX (2-day stopover) -IAD - then I upgraded (in theory, using miles, but in actuality, using SWU's) - that cost me effectively 940US + 60K miles to fly in business (not $3K-7K) - for NW, one has to buy an M-class fare - there's no way you can get that for 940 inclusive of taxes & even if you do, there's rarely upgrade availability between DTW/MSP & NRT. There may be some between PDX or SEA & NRT, but that adds an extra flight out of the US!

NW has devalued their miles - simple.

If the example is highly flawed, then the example is useless.

That's right, the fare will rarely be a quarter. The fare difference between a "domestic" fare and a trans-atlantic WBC fare can be large or small (or even negative as some 'domestic' fares can be higher than some WBC fares).

So then, "NW basicaly wants more miles for a more expensive product" is just not true, is it?

Have it your way.

WP begins and ends with domestic EUA. Beyond that the program is less than stellar in most respects. I cannot imagine what it is like trying to get decent WBC awards if you are not a Plat...it is difficult enough if you are.

I already cast my vote a while ago 'cause NW's my domestic carrier, and so it would be irrational to fly them but not vote for them. However, I am starting to regret it. Maybe not voting for them would send some sort of message.

I am trying to get two J tix to AMS for March and as of right now, there is just no way in heck that the date I need is going to happen. Meanwhile, CO (!!!) shows wide open availability pretty much all month long. And this to an airport to which NW has roughly five times as many seats in J.

If you enjoyed the promotions VOTE NW and VOTE NOW!

I think we should show our appreciation to Russ Hinckley and Beth Shultis and the other folks in Worldperks Marketing for launching some of the best promotions in the frequent flyer industry.

Mile Zilla, 123Free (domestic and intl awards options), great hotel, rental car, telecommunication promotions and the WP Mall, to name a few of the many promotions NW is offering.

I haven't seen anything comparable on any other airline, have you?

RC

While I understand your love of NWA the facts don't bear out their advantages

AA UA and DL all give Intl upgrades to Plats
DL give free club membership
UA have a 1-2-3 award in First Class

NWA upgrades on domestic are clearly the best, but to conclude from this that they are the best elsewhere is very strange.

It's a shame that MileZilla was not included in the voting for the Freddies - by far the best promo of any airline!

NW is what it is.

Miles are easy to get vs. Not so easy to spend

Free domestic upgrades vs. worst domestic first (although US is right there)

Poor international upgrade policy vs. decent-to-good (IMO) international coach product


The thing I find bizarre is anyone who cares enough to encourage or discourage voting in this. It's like they gain personal redemption if NW does (or does not do) well.

Exactly - ^ Why do people lose all sense of balanced judgement when it comes to an airline. To say "I vote NWA across the board" is an emotional decision not based on data. NWA are the best in areas and worst too.

Anyone who has flown First from DTW to IAH on NW and CO knows how much better the CO sevice and food is. The problem is CO First is harder to get into. Better NWA F than CO Y...but that still doesn't make NWA F good.

Agreed.

Although almost 100% of my flying is done on Northwest, I'm not going to vote for them. With 04-05's award devaluation, placement of CRJs on hub-to-hub and former mainline routes, decreased amenities in F, increased difficulty in upgrading, and an overall lack of response to most other mainline programs improving their elite programs, why would I?

Of course, why would I vote for any of the Big Six? The only one that made true strides this year was AA, and that's only because of their enhancement (actual enhancement, not the NW/CO definition) of the EXP level. Of course, I'm not even an AAdvantage member, I don't fly 100,000 miles per year, and I live in almost unchAArted territory for American - Minny and Milwaukee (how's that for your proverbial three strikes?).

So I'm not going to vote this year. If I did vote for NW, though, it'd be a lot like my choice in the recent election - begrudgingly, and only because I liked the other guy(s) even less.

They certainly didn't get my vote this year.

Raising Australia F to 200k = big boo

Raising Europe C to 100k = what were you thinking?

Good airline, used to be a good FF program till these changes. Yes, I know they give away miles like crazy, but still.

My votes - AS and Hilton

You're kidding right?

IMO... Not voting at all will have no effect on NW or their decisions for this years FF�s.

I�m not sure how close NW looks at these awards, but do know if they place near the bottom it may get their attention. Don�t let your vote go to waste and continue to atrophy.