Changes to the Coach ChoiceSM Seat Program
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:18 am
#121
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Though not totally what I would have wanted for elites, it is a move in the right step.
Here's a good article related to this from this weekend's paper in MSP.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twinci...s/14346058.htm
Here's a good article related to this from this weekend's paper in MSP.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twinci...s/14346058.htm
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:18 am
#122
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Originally Posted by dave_261
That was how I read it at first. However, I think it means that elite will be able to access these seats UP TO 24 HOURS prior to departure, not WITHIN 24 hours of departure.
EDITED TO ADD: Nope, it means "within" 24 hours. I pulled up a seat map on a future flight and the map says:
"Coach ChoiceSM Seat available for purchase
(Available within 24 hours of departure for USD $15.00.
WorldPerks Elite and SkyTeam Elite members may
select these seats at no charge)"
And I can't choose those seats now, so NW must mean within 24 hours.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:18 am
#123
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Originally Posted by themicah
Regardless, all the whiners complaining that elites should be able to choose at time of booking are simply being selfish.
Whiners = customers.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:25 am
#124
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Originally Posted by Spiff
From m-w.com: alliance
Main Entry: alliance
Function: noun
1 a : the state of being allied : the action of allying b : a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals
2 : an association to further the common interests of the members
I disagree with what they're doing and I already do the majority of my flying on AA. Still I see this move as a weakening of SkyTeam alliance benefits and will book away accordingly.
I think this is a foolish move, revenue-wise and hope it really comes back to bite NW hard, just like Delta's 50% MQM folly cost DL enormous goodwill and revenue.
If this is the best that NW can do to supposedly generate revenue, then perhaps the family of American common air carriers is better off without NW.
Main Entry: alliance
Function: noun
1 a : the state of being allied : the action of allying b : a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals
2 : an association to further the common interests of the members
I disagree with what they're doing and I already do the majority of my flying on AA. Still I see this move as a weakening of SkyTeam alliance benefits and will book away accordingly.
I think this is a foolish move, revenue-wise and hope it really comes back to bite NW hard, just like Delta's 50% MQM folly cost DL enormous goodwill and revenue.
If this is the best that NW can do to supposedly generate revenue, then perhaps the family of American common air carriers is better off without NW.
SkyTeam Elites have gotten the same "exemption" as NW Elites according to the seatmaps.
--Rich
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:29 am
#125
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At 8:25am Central, just got off phone w/ NW Gold/Plat Elite line. Agent had "no clue" about the changes to RoachChoice. I had to read Crom's e-mail to her and then she tried calling the Internet support desk.
Guess it's another hasty roll out of the "enhancements" to the "enhancement." You'd think they would have briefed the GE/PE Agents prior to sending the e-mail.
Guess it's another hasty roll out of the "enhancements" to the "enhancement." You'd think they would have briefed the GE/PE Agents prior to sending the e-mail.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:41 am
#126
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Originally Posted by michiflyer
As far as I'm concerned, they fixed the damn thing, or at least they tried. At least I'd like to believe so - it sounds as if they did, but we won't really know until we all see the seat maps in the system post-change and whether rows 5 and 6 are back. But the language is such that it seems to be the case.
)
Originally Posted by michiflyer
As to complaints about being unfair to other Skyteam elites - is it fair that NW elites get upgraded before CO elites, and vice-verse? or that NW elites get squatto on DL?
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:41 am
#127
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NWA made some changes - I'm at least partly satisfied that they are listening to their elite customers. Remember, NWA is really trying to maximize their revenue - it is in our best interest for them to do so. It's called a compromise.
Besides, how many of us actually are faced with picking RoachChoice seats when booking? Not that many - and of those how many elites read FT and know about the 24 hr OLCI (also 24 hr RoachChoice selection). Even fewer.
I speculate this impact will be minimal to most of us.
Besides, how many of us actually are faced with picking RoachChoice seats when booking? Not that many - and of those how many elites read FT and know about the 24 hr OLCI (also 24 hr RoachChoice selection). Even fewer.
I speculate this impact will be minimal to most of us.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:42 am
#128
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Originally Posted by RichMSN
Spiff,
SkyTeam Elites have gotten the same "exemption" as NW Elites according to the seatmaps.
--Rich
SkyTeam Elites have gotten the same "exemption" as NW Elites according to the seatmaps.
--Rich
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:42 am
#129
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,688
Originally Posted by Seattlenerd
Whiners = customers.
If NW can convince you to go elsewhere and attract somebody else who usually buys last-minute and might otherwise be stuck with a middle seat on CO or UA, they'd gladly make that swap.
And since most of us FTers do OLCI at the 24 hour mark anyway, I really don't see how this is so terrible. Yes, it was bad when they wanted us to pay $15 for seats we should be able to access as elites (and keep our $15 even if we got upgraded afterward). But allowing nonelites to give them $15 and allowing last-minute purchasers to have a shot at getting a decent seat makes good sense. This is a constructive move, not a detrimental one.
Apr 18, 2006 | 7:52 am
#130
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Just got my email from Jim.
It is a a win as far as I am concerned. At least our voice was heard. NWA could have ignored us - but they didn't. It is the fine art of negotiation is each side gets a bit!
It is a a win as far as I am concerned. At least our voice was heard. NWA could have ignored us - but they didn't. It is the fine art of negotiation is each side gets a bit!
Apr 18, 2006 | 8:06 am
#131
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OK, I read this one differently
Originally Posted by Seattlenerd
WorldPerks Elite customers will be exempt from the Coach Choice charge. Elite customers will have access to Coach Choice seats up to 24 hours prior to departure at no cost. These seats will be available via Northwest Self-service Check-in Kiosks or nwa.com.
This is more of a trade off than an improvement.
This is more of a trade off than an improvement.
I read this as "up to 24 hours"....we can get them at time of booking. Then, at 24 hours out, they ae open to everyone.
I just changed seat to a formerly Poor Choice seat (reclining exit row seat) for a reservation for two weeks out....it WORKS!!!!!
Last edited by mikey1003; Apr 18, 2006 at 8:14 am
Apr 18, 2006 | 8:17 am
#132
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Originally Posted by Spiff
At time of booking?
Apr 18, 2006 | 8:17 am
#133
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Originally Posted by TRVLRZ
While I agree this is not a perfect solution. A 36-hour window would have been much better. However it at least shows that the management is willing/trying to work with the Elites, albeit on a scale that will not please all of us. So far this program has not caused me any actual inconvenience.yet.
WRONG!!!!! Read the email. Up to 24 hours before...Then seats open for everyone!
I just changed to a formerly Idiot's Choice seat for a res 2 weeks out...IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!
Apr 18, 2006 | 8:18 am
#134
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Originally Posted by mikey1003
BTW, RC, good that you got one right...your batting average was dropping, thanks.
I read this as "up to 24 hours"....we can get them at time of booking. Then, at 24 hours out, they ae open to everyone.
I just changed seat to a formerly Poor Choice seat (reclining exit row seat) for a reservation for two weeks out....it WORKS!!!!!
I read this as "up to 24 hours"....we can get them at time of booking. Then, at 24 hours out, they ae open to everyone.
I just changed seat to a formerly Poor Choice seat (reclining exit row seat) for a reservation for two weeks out....it WORKS!!!!!
Apr 18, 2006 | 8:21 am
#135
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Originally Posted by RichMSN
Was this marked as a RoachChoice seat on the seatmap? Because I did the same thing for a July flight and I could not choose the RoachChoice seat.
The new UnChoice seats appear not to be old P seats.