agree serious GREY areas
 

When you read the T&Cs theres alot of wierd language. TIX are bound by rules of fare purchased? Booked in F or C ? what the heck can that mean if space is limited. Theres got to be a bucket they are coming out of and it aint F or C. Maybe thats what it will say on the ticket. But my guess is I. They hold out on F and C fares to the last minute so they are ALWAYS available. (except for swu useage?)

The T&C clearly say the SWUs book into C class. If they really just meant "Business class", why would they specify the actual class in the fine print? I think this is really much ado about nothing.

Of course, someone could call NW and get the facts straightened out, but that would take away the fun, wouldn't it. ;)

I did take this to mean the seats were booking out of C or F thus lots of hope to actually get the UG. I am sure the total SWU's handed out are a pretty finite number that NW already has a good handle on. How many they will actually award (assuming everyone takes them at both levels) and what that does to capacity must have been evaluated. Perhaps the effect system wide will be so minimal that they can use C and hold J for last minutes. Maybe they will put a SWU max of 2 seats per flight or something outside the fare bucket process to control capacity so that we are only fighting ourselves (holders of the precious SWU's) for the seats...I'm ok with that too. To say "booked out of C class" should mean just that.

I would call but I am guessing that the Plat line folks are as new to this as we FT'ers...either way, don't anybody take the "excitement" away from this. I am a very happy camper. 27K for the month of Jan with China coming up next week. I am shooting to hit 120 by August.

yeah it would because you would end up with ten different answers and get MORE confused :) I dont think anybody could answer yet.

The SWUs book in to the C fare class. C class may not be available on every route at all times, hence the limited availability line. However, C is generally more available than either Z or I.

They are not creating a new bucket, they are using an existing fare class bucket.

While the fact that it is a "promotion" gives them the ability to pull it next year, there's also the fact that NW could decide to revamp the elite system as they see fit anyway. The outcry would be the same if it's not back in some form next year whether it was an official part of the benefits package or it's a promotion.

It's the difference between fare class paid and fare class flown. The fare basis for your ticket will be the economy class ticket you purchased. If you buy an extremely restricted, "cheap" K-class fare with a 7-day minimum stay, must return within 30 days, $200 change fee, etc., these rules will still apply to your ticket after using the SWU and your EQMs and RDMs will still be based on the fare class paid (i.e. the K fare). Using the SWU doesn't turn your ticket in to a true C class ticket that may have no change fee, minimum stay requirement, and earns 150% EQMs and RDMS (or whatever EQM/RDM bonus). It just puts you in to business class.

It's just like a mileage upgrade or EUA.

Since the International UGs book into C class, then are these certificates really not the same as a rulebuster award? I seem to remember that NW often zeros out C on popular routes (DTW-NRT) as the flight date approaches and the cabin fills, forcing all purchases out of J. As far as I know, there is no way to book into J (where there is no C available) without paying a lot of $$$$$

well since NW basically stole the whole program from UAs choices deal last year. And they have no experience with swu's. Maybe they will create something similar to UAs NF or NC for UGs?

Actually, the Plat line folks are getting trained on the new program as we speak or type.... so give it a few weeks before you start calling with questions. I'm hoping that some of the T&C fine print, which should explain things further, is also included in the Elite Packet as well...

They have no what? :confused: "One-way confirmed systemwide upgrades" - in certificate form, even - have been among the rewards in the Platinum Points promotion since... 2004, at least? They're listed on last year's Platinum Points page and you can also read the terms and conditions for various types of upgrades, including the SWUs. They just don't have much in the way of experience with SWUs that are attainable. ;)

tell me about it. I ve got a whopping 30 plat points, cant even get a magazine :D

Amen to that. Today, I am on a 767-300 with 3 class of service from IAD-ORD and we happen to board through the first class cabin. UAs first class seat in this equipment is comparable to the WBC of NW. Sorry but I am not impressed with UAs business class, too. Now that NW has SWU to offer, I may consider flying on NW metal again. Somehow, my CO Plat will ensure my chance for domestic upgrade.

{Nevermind - problem solved}

Boy am I in a deli ma. I am currently NW Gold and thinking of start all over with CO since most of my flights this year is on CO flights. But after looking at this, I am thinking twice now.

We all know we all know we only get 50% EQM from CO flights if we don't buy a full fare.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

The SWU's are only good if you can get them. If you are flying CO most of the time and will only get 50% it will be tough to get there. If you can go NW metal then I would go for it. With the Domestic UG program I think this is the place to be if you are a 100+ flyer...hands down. As it was I was taking some of my Int flights on UA for the UG's ( I am down to a lowely silver so those will be tough to get anyway) but now I have no reason to go elsewhere for INT or after 100K. It really comes down to your travel paterns and which AL fits best.