This thread is about a "Quick Fix" so let's discuss that. But first, we need to define the "problem" that is being fixed.

If the only problem NW has is how to generate more $$$, then the quick fix is to raise the fares. But I think most of the problem lies in the fact that there has been an explosion in the number of Elites this year, due to the Double EQM promo match that was recklessly entered into last Fall.

So, if all of a sudden you now have a lot more "best customers", the natural reaction should not be to screw all of them. It should be to take care of all of them and keep them coming back again and again. Simply expand the "Elite Seating" area to accomodate all of them. Add a couple more rows to the Preferred Seating section, and maybe add all of the aisle seats also. Then continue to let those seats go to your best customers: your Elites AND those who have paid Y fares. That has always been the rule, so why change it now. Just add enough seats in that "Preferred Section" to accomodate the demand.

This might mean that the folks who bought $89 all-in tickets for CMH-DTW-ORD (as cited in another thread on this topic) might not be able to sit together. In fact, they might not even be able to select their seats until they check-in at a kiosk at the airport. (Does that sound a little like WN, or what?) Who cares, since they are only flying NW because of the cheap fare, and will wander to another airline next time if the price is $1 less. These are the stupid non-loyal customers who will fly on XX airline just because it is a little cheaper, even if they have to sit in some airport for 6 hours between connecting flights. They'll never understand that there is a price:value relationship, so let's not even worry about them. The best customers, no matter how many of them there are, MUST be taken care of!

Now, how simple is that??????

Your idea makes sense. Without an upgrade I would like to enjoy some empty seats next to me and those always seem to get filled with incidental flyers who didn't even bother to (or couldn't) reserve a seat when they bought the ticket.

No, it doesn't.

Silver elites still get the short end of the stick.

Why should they have to wait until 48 hours out to find out if there's a decent seat available for them? And I'm supposed to sweat it out as a Platinum until two days before the flight to find out if my wife can sit next to me?

If I was a Silver instead of a Platinum, I would still want to take my business elsewhere. As it is, I specifically book flights that have the seats that I want open and avoid others that don't.

The solution, as I said before, is to continue to allow all elites to choose the seat that they want -- subject only to a prior claim to that seat -- at the time of booking. If NW wants to charge its infrequent customers for the privilege of reserving a better seat to raise revenue, then so be it. But no elite should be adversely effected by the "Coach Choice" program.

The problem with Silver is that with some of the promotions last fall anyone can be a silver with a RT to Europe or a couple coast to coast flights at EL Cheapo fares.

The real value is typically the folks who fly regularily enough to make a difference and spend $$$$.

One J class from USA to Europe/Africa can run $6000-$10000 USD

That would be around 50-60 el cheapo coast to coast hops for a single ticket.

I believe there should be a 100K Miles level and add even more benefits.... Or maybe 150K. (I would have given NWA more miles last year if there was a real benefit at a higher level, but, stopping NWA at around 125K Base miles I spread the $$$ and got Gold on two other carriers.

If they had a 150K level and NWA had "REAL" benefits I would have spent a bunch more $$$.

Now with Roach Coach Choice I am pulling all travel (Except award redemption) until they fix the "Screw the Elites" program.