If you look at this new program as NW's attempt to raise Plat to the likes of UA and AA in terms of SWUs - it fails horribly. But I don't think that's the purpose. It is to give NW Plats a reason to keep flying NW past 75k instead of switching their next 50k+ to another program. For that purpose, I think this program is a great carrot to keep Plats from wandering away after 75k.

ahhh, looks like the 1000 mile Platinum Elite "Guaranteed" upgrade bonus is still in place.

Details from nwa.com.

This was a source of lots of bonus miles on my San Francisco flights.

I think Northwest already has benefits (like automatic unlimited domestic upgrades) that allows them to compete with AA and UA. While this doesn't level the international playing field, the progress is impressive.

I must be in this love/hate relationship with NW... and at least I didn't note it as a hate/love relationship! And I'll even say it... this is exciting!

(And I've had my overdose of morning caffiene, so watch out... )

Let's start with the love... praise all that is good and holy that NW has finally started to recognize people for the $/time they invest, to achieve Platinum. For the first time ever, it appears that Plats, via normal flight patterns, can receive awards that are flat-out not purchasable, in any way I know of... 2500 EQM at 60k, Silver Elite gift at 90K, Gold Elite gift at 120k, SWUs at 120k and 160k. And I hear harps playing... and start the chanting... SWUs are here, SWUs are here! On any paid fare! Somebody get me an AED! (And yes, almost all of these were achievable with Platinum Points, but we've discussed to death the rediculous RIO for Plat Points... 30 TATL flights in paid-C for 50k RDM?!?!)

Next, to the hate... stop with the offering of under-valued repemptions options! It's insulting! 10K RDM for 90k EQM? ...?!?! Someone plops down how many $k, and you offer something worth $100? How can NW offer something such as Gold Elite Giveaway, and a 90-day WC pass, in the same promotion? And no SWUs at 90k? I'm with some people here... I at first thought all of the bullet-points were being offered, then when you read the bold, it's a choice of the bullet-points. C'mon, what's the 60k worth? Day passes are $45/per, sweepstakes entries have no value, and $50 is $50. $110 + 2500 EQM for 60k BIS miles, instead of a choice? Let's see it!

What would it take for me to say that this isn't just a game-winner, but an out-of-the-park World-Series-in-4-games promotion? Add (2) SWUs at 90k, change to (4) SWUs and 25k bonus miles at 120k, change to (4) SWUs and 50k bonus miles at 160k, change to 25k EQM increments (from 30/40k increments), have a reward selection for every 25k after that (for those that fly 200k a year)... and make it all items, not a choice of items. To repeat... stop with this confusing increment stuff... 25k EQM increments is required for Elite status, ExtraPerks qualification and rewards should be in 25k increments.

And did I sign up? Better believe it! I was 90% committed to requalifing as Plat in '07, and this is the push over the edge to keep Plat. I can measure the cost to get to 90K (Silver gift), and 120k (Gold gift), and now I'm 25% commited to 90K, just for that reason. And for the first time ever, I'm thinking of flying past 75k. But 40k more to get (2) SWUs? Nope. (4), most definitely (2 pax R/T)... (2)? Nope.

And how about a sense of humor? How about at each level, you get a baggage tag that says "I flew X EQM this year, and all I got was this lousy baggage tag". Talk about being able to poke fun at yourself, and the industry.

I don't want NW to walk away from this thinking "geez, why can't these customers be happy?!?!", but let's consider this a start to the great, incredible, and rediculously exciting things to come, in '08...

Steve B.

With the 2008 delivery of the 787 and these wonderful SWUs would anyone care to speculate what a poweful little combo that might be. Wouldn't MSP-SYD become awfully enticing for mileage runner and general traveler alike? I hope Mrs. Gtitan is a little extra understanding this year!

Well something is better than nothing, but I have to agree on this one. If you fly 150k on UA you get 8 swu's not 2. Amid all the "excitement" folks should do the math. you have to fly 45k more EQMs than Plat to get 2 swus. 45k EQMs costs more than just buying the ticket that you use the swu's on.

I would have *loved* to see an SWU carrot at 90k. Even if they only gave one, it would be nice. I could be enticed to do a few MR's for an SWU. But MR just to get the SWU @ 120K? Uh, no. Not unless I got the MR's CHEAP.

I have to agree It works. I am confused though between a SWU and HI upgrade. Could I not use the SWU to upgrade to HI?

Keep in mind that NW has a better business class product.

WBC is a lot better than UA's current C, in terms of seat pitch, comfort, etc.

At least NW listened, and made a honest try.

I did predict 2 SWUs for NW's plat over 100,000 EQM on M fares or higher. So I am not too far off.

That one had me confused too. somewhere in the fine print I smell blackout dates

I think it's because the certs book into specific fare classes -- the international into C and the HI ones into F. And the Hawaii flights don't offer C.

Yes, it's another "they ought to be able to not do this" but I'm sure that's why they are.

Steve

Very marginally better. NW's not exactly MH or CX.

And the worst business class seat beats the best seat NW offers in coach.

Steve

I think these upgrades are great. They may not be everything we hoped for, but I still think these are a wonderful compared to what exists. I am surprised by all the people complaining. Would you rather have what you had last year? (aka NOTHING?)

Here is the text of my "silver elite" email:
Thank you for choosing Northwest Airlines. Although you did not reach our published qualification thresholds for the Silver Elite tier, your travel in 2006 made you one of our top customers. As such, we would like to present you with Silver Elite status for the 2007 program year, which runs March 1, 2007 through February 29, 2008. Travel 25,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 30 Elite Qualifying Segments between January 1 and December 31, 2007 to ensure retention of your Silver Elite status for 2008.

I flew less than 25k on paid tickets last year...Will be platinum next month again. I feel important to be "one of our top customers"

I didn't get my nice email and now I know why. I went to register and I had somehow been unenrolled from nwa emails. Oh well, it is fixed now. Hopefully I didn't miss anything too important.