Let's clear some things up, FYI:

1) We get SWUs/eVIPs after reaching 100K EQM or EQP (or 100 segs)... and when we do, we get 8.

2) The 125K bonus was for AAdvantage's 25th Anniversary, a one-time deal.

3) The "silly .5 point stuff" is for EQP(oints) only, which measures revenue. We can still qualify with 100K EQM(iles), of which all AA fares earn 100%.

Only at the 120K & 160K EQM levels!!

It took a while for all this to sink in, but I was lucky to break 100K EQM this year, 90K EQM next year (the 2nd tier in the program)? Maybe -- if I do, this will be worth about $200 to me in banked miles. And I'll certainly be looking at MR's with more interest again.

This definitely is the type of "exciting" enhancement WP needed. Hopefully those at the 120K & 160K levels will feel they're getting a decent reward for their continued loyalty.

This also provides an opportunity for someone who is <= 2500 EQM's short of Plat at the end of the year to "buy" those EQM's. Just hold off using your 60K reward until you're over 75K. Or if you're at 118K on Dec. 30 you can use those 2500 EQM's to get your SWU's.

I must admit that, while I wish the SWUs were more obtainable, I'm glad that NW has listened to its customers. I think the new promotion is fun and at offers some good rewards.

I must say, I found the bonus mile awards to be a bit strange. Who in their right mind would pick 20,000 miles over two SWUs???

Also, the SE giveaway at 60,000 EQM seems a bit low. Talk about elite inflation, every Platinum and probably most Golds will be able to nominate a friend as Silver Elite. I'm really surprised NW offered elite status giveaways at such low levels.

Someone who values additional award ticket redemptions higher than one RT in biz class. Or someone who is looking to redeem awards for friends or family. Maybe they're 20k short of redeeming that extra WBC award ticket for the spouse?

Options are provided because not everyone thinks (and values) alike. ;)

It would be low. That's why the threshold is at 90k instead of 60k.

Post of the Year!!! ^ :-:

I agree. My days of flying discounted CO tickets are over.

at each individual level the rewards are not all that impressive. At first I thought you got ALL of the rewards listed at each level; that would have been something. I agree with the others, though, it's a great step in the right direction.

the fact that almost all of this is out of my reach appears to be more my personal problem than theirs.

Yawn.

Don't both AA and UA offer more systemwide upgrages (albeit perhaps restricted to higher fare buckets) for significantly fewer elite qualifying miles?

Whatever. I'm never going to hit 120,000 elite qualifying miles, much less 160,000, so bah humbug.

On the bright side, I can choose to receive "10 Bonus Sweepstakes Entries." :rolleyes:

This is an exciting change to the WP Eite program. I certainly appreciate NW offering additional benefits (and multiple choices at each award) for loyalty.

RC

VERY EXCITING indeed!!!!!! THANK YOU NWA. This is a great program and now adding miles after 75K is a NO BRAINER!

I haven't received any e-mails from NWA today, and there is no mention of ExtraPerks yet on the NWA Japan website.

If they take away my complimentary WorldClub lounge access, someone will be finding their throat in my hand...

The upside is that the SWU's appear to be very usable.

The downside (for me) is that you would only earn 4 for 160,000 EQM. My experience with AA's version is that while they pull from a more restricted inventory, they are still very usable -- usable enough that getting an additional 4 each year is worth it.

I also just noticed something very important about these SWUs. Once they are applied to a ticket, if you have to change or cancel that trip, you will lose the upgrade.

Steve

Definately cooler than platinum points.

This beats platinum points by a long shot.

At first I thought that one got everything listed for each tier as well, and further thought that the rewards were VERY generous. Wow, I thought. But then I read your post, and it turns out we get to choose. How lame. At 120k miles I get *two* SWU? Great. UA gives me 6 for hitting 100k. (Or at least they used to...) At 160k I get two more? Wow!