Well, I guess the question is "how mild?" Having never really paid attention to the Platinum Points program I just went and looked at it. The "awards" are pretty impressive and they include SWU's (don't know what the fare restrictions are) at level 4! And 50,000 BP at level 5 (just as good). I never knew they were there because while I am a high revenue flyer by shear volume I do not purposely buy the highest $$ tickets. I think I have like 70 PP's at the moment so I am not even in the hunt. If this program were made more achievable for the folks who fly a lot but do not need the expensive, no restriction fares...that would be quite exciting.

reality check
 

I hear a lot of wishful thinking in the form of "here's what suits ME best". :rolleyes: People who fly over 100,000 EMQ's want some special recognition. I'm sure those who fly over 105,000 would want to be in a different boat, and so on. I fly a lot TATL and I think Plats should get triple EQM's for TATL flights. :p :p The bottom line is, the Elite program is not designed for a handful of individuals; it's rather something that fits a good number of pax. Asking for special recognition for every little thing in my mind is a bit over the edge.

SWU's - I have to say I doubt that would happen on NWA. It happens for airlines where EUA's are not nearly as common. Free int'l UG's are probably never going to happen. I do agree with a previous post about having the ability to upgrade from a lower fare class using miles at the gate. I just think it's silly to fly with empty WBC seats.

Maybe a return to upgradeable TPAC "M" class fares.

This is moderately unrelated to this topic, but I'll ask it anyways. For Op-Up on TATL flights, on the rare chance it happens, is it more likely with the fine people in the WC, or is it more likely with the GA? I have a Q fare in a couple weeks, and I'm in exit row (10), which isn't bad, but I sure would love to experience WBC on the 330. I've done it on a DC-10 and 747 and I may as well try to make it a clean sweep.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Ah, but was the 747 "old" WBC on a 747-200, "old" WBC on a pre-upgrade 747-400, or "new" WBC on a post-upgrade 747-400? You may be further from that clean sweep than you think! :D

From what RC said the only Itnl upgrade certs will come from a modified Plat points promo - which frankly does not leave me with much hope that SWU's will be much easier to get. I do fly on fairly expensive TATL and TPAC tickets(Z, Y, B and sometimes C) and I have never put up more than 600 PP.... esp with the fact that it has to be within 1 year....

...unless there is a serious change in # of WBC seats in the NW system - we will still be battling it out with B fares and checking every day for seats.

I wonder if they will make the battlefield upgrade process more transparent? One thing that is nice with UA and AA is that you always know where you stand (usually the upgrade list is posted on a screen near the gate) and it seems like most of the battlefield upgrades are processed by the book. I don't always get that impression with NW gate upgrades.

Well, thats actually not true. I did not even know they existed till today but NWA does award SWU's in the PP program they are just expensive to get.

Please choose one award:
To see terms and conditions for each choice, click on the name of the award. You must have at least 1,200 Platinum Points to select your reward.
25,000 Bonus Miles
2 One-Way, Confirmed Systemwide Upgrades
4 One-Way, Confirmed Hawaii Upgrades International World Business ClassSM PerkPassSM Award (formerly RuleBuster) at PerkSaverSM Award Price (formerly Standard Award) - Roundtrip
Gold Elite Membership Giveaway
Complimentary WorldClubs 1-year Membership
$500 NWA WorldVacations® Discount Certificate


Also, I am not sure I understand your logic around 100 or 125k flyers not desrerving recognition.

People who fly over 100,000 EMQ's want some special recognition. I'm sure those who fly over 105,000 would want to be in a different boat, and so on.

Why is 100 or 125K EQM not as "special" as 75K? At UA 75K gets you nothing over gold..it takes 100K. I agree that it makes no sense to have tiers every 5000 miles, but as you said, these programs are for as many travellers as possible and there is a group of 100-250+K flyers that should be recognized.

I bet there are a bunch of Golds who have your attitude about Plats ;)

True. I have no idea what type of 747 it was. I was first row of lower level WBC back in 2002. I travel a lot domestically, but not very often internationally.

Based on what I could tell from trying to upgrade on line, there aren't any WBC seats available in either direction, so I'll hope my exit row seat is comfortable, and the late flight time (9 pm) helps with sleeping!

How come I never heard about $25 FC aisle seat charge? :confused:

Because it doesn't exist.

Although I'm sure that if you do get an aisle seat in FC, you would be welcome to make your $25 contribution to anyone in your vicinity. :)

:D :p Because you don't fly NWA anymore :p :D

Special recognition is not what it's about at all. The current WP program offers no incentive to encourage most elites from continuing to fly NW after they hit 75K miles. Platinum Points benefits only a relatively small number of elites who fly on premium fares. What's missing is any incentive for a typical 100+K Plat not to go qualify on another airline after 75K.

Expensive enough that you'd have to be illogical to get them! Seriously. Here's some math:

DTW-AMS nonstop 21/28 March J is $8615, Z is $2692, V/M is $833.

So if you fly 8 round-trips in J and get your 2 SWUs, then fly in V/M using them to upgrade, you've spent (8615 * 8) + (833 * 2) = $70,586.

On the other hand, flying all 10 trips in paid Z is (2692 * 10) = $26,920.

For the same seat.

In fact, you could fly 16 trips in paid Z, get 2 SWUs, then fly in V/M using them to upgrade for a total of 18 trips for (2692 * 16) + (833 * 2) = $44,738 - for 80% more trips than you'd have flown in J...

Which is a whopping 7.67% discount over what you would have spent just paying Z fare for all 18 trips... and if you actually even have reason to fly WBC between DTW and AMS 18 times in 1 year, and that kind of money to spend on it, you might be looking at airlines that have "better" business/first offerings, anyway...

I look forward to something that doesn't require hugely expensive fares. :)