Hey Guys,

Planning a trip to Houston in April. Both Continental and Northwest are same price. I am a member of worldperks and accumulate miles through that program. Would it matter if I book the Continental non stops since I will get IFE and a sandwich or would I be subject to the Continental 50% mileage restrictions. The class I would be booking at is: Outbound Economy (I) and Inbound Economy (U).

As I said, I would prefer Continental because of the better overall service and the times actually work better for me on Continental as opposed to Northwest. But if I will only get 50% miles then I would go with Northwest.

Also, I have never flown into the C/E Concourse at IAH, only the B where NWA comes in at. Is it convienent to get to rental car location. I know with the B Concourse you have to get on a shuttle and drive to it.

Thanks!!!

For a listing of which CO fare classes only earn 50% see:

http://www.nwa.com/freqfly/earn/airfl.shtml#continental

Your "I" outbound is 50%, but a "U" return is 100%. Also note that the 50% is only for elite qualifying miles (i.e., the annual odometer that determines your elite status); all CO coach fares still earn 100% banked miles (i.e., the miles you accumulate like currency that you can use for award tickets). If you don't think you'll make elite in 2006, then there is effectively no difference between flying NW or CO.

Also, IMO CO's IFE and "sandwich" are pretty bad. Their IFE is usually a terrible movie followed by a bunch of advertising dressed up as television programming. Sometimes you'll get lucky and get to watch sitcoms, but usually no. And the "sandwich" lately has been mystery meat of the worst sort. I'd rather bring my own sandwich and book or DVD to entertain myself.

As for the rental car question, all IAH rental cars are located at a centralized facility far away from the terminals. You'll have to take the shuttle bus to get there no matter at which terminal you arrive.

Per nwa.com, I class = 50% EQM, while U class= 100% EQM. However, I'm thinking that CO still offers 100% for all classes booked at continental.com.
I won't go into too much of a comparison between NW and CO regarding which carrier to choose, but if CO has a flight schedule that works for you, I second your line of thinking.

Which is true but entirely irrelevant in light of the fact that the OP is looking for WP miles.

If you are a low-tier elite member, then I'd fly Northwest because you have a better chance of an upgrade to first class.

If you are a high-tier elite members, then I'd fly Continental because their FC is superior.

If you are not an elite member, then I'd fly Continental -- they generally have a better coach product.