MJW-

Thanks for all the insight and information you provide for us NW loyalists. I think you are the only carrier representative who I know of that openly posts here. Much appreciated.

I thought I'd list (in order of importance to me) changes i'd love to see with WorldPerks (some of which I've already mentioned in previous posts)..

(1) less restrictive expiration of certs--
i think the 3 month horizon is too short. defeats the purpose of enabling people to actually be able to use them.

(2) better perk packs--again, i may be the minority here, but i would much rather see airfare deals, maybe more hotel deals thru your worldvacations program. anyone else have any ideas?

(3) web reservation deals--i am almost always motivated to buy a NW ticket when i get a 2 for 1 or $99 companion fare. you should run such deals more frequently. when you do, you get my business.

(4) more timely mailings--from upgrade certs, to monthly statements. right now there is too much lagtime.

(5) lounge deals--other airlines do this. i would be willing to, say, use miles in combo with $ for an annual membership.

(6) full posting of mileage activity on NWA website--as another FFlyer mentioned, this would make it much easier to track bonuses, partner activity, etc.

Would love to hear what others would like to see changed with WorldPerks.

All in all, I am a happy camper and have been pleased with NW to date.

jexjex

MJW - can't wait for the update on future equipment changes.


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Of course this is off topic, but I'd really like to see Northwest (or Continental) open a lounge in Miami.

My suggestions.

By the way, I still find NWest to be superior to all other FFlyer programs. Again, for myself and my situation. Intrinsically so many good things.

WHAT I LIKE
Great mileage bonus for silver elites.50% bonus.

No stringent capacity controls on first class upgrades with miles/and for elites. CO is sooo restrictive (check the fare codes; no holding of A seats).

Great partnership reciprocity; improving and more efficient as kinks worked out.

Worldperks open 7 days a week.

Can upgrade international trips with miles on most low discount fares. United would have charged us $400 more per person just to get into the higher fare class.

Low 20k domestic award level (restricted).

Electronic service center, and connection/hub, bonuses (please don't get rid of these.).

Sprint over MCI. (I hope you all decided to dump MCI because of MCI).

SUGGESTIONS

Buy mileage for award travel, up to 20 percent, like CO does. Cheaper price, however.

Automated elite upgrade for silver elites.Que in request at time of reservation, then allocates if space avail at "silver" window.

Certificate-less upgrades for elites.

Ability to upgrade with miles (if not elite status) when you use those promotional certificates (eg zone fares, etc). United allows me to upgrade a college plus zone fare, etc. Or at least say that elite members would be given this opportunity to upgrade--put exception on back of promotional cert.My favorite idea.

More promotional zone fare certs. Haven't seen any lately.

More streamlining with CO: CO uses certs for mileage upgrade awards. NW is cert less. Actually this is CO problem more.

I like the idea of one FFlyer center for NW/CO for upgrades, accounts??? I heard something like this is being considered.

Newer aircraft, pleaaaaassseee. I know, CRJs, but I don't like all the DC9s. Tons of them. Some over thirty years old! Eeeeek. Get me on CO. Okay, you have to keep the DC10s and we do appreciate the refurbishing of interiors, as planned.

Here's a wild one. One free change to return trip without the 75 change fee. Just pay fare difference if any. For elites.

Improvement in F Class domestic. Our limited experience is that UA and CO have better service and amenities. Just our experience and generalization (perhaps hasty).

In flight entertainment is on the way for DC10 and 757 domestic. GREAT. My wife will be happy. What about A320s.


....thanks for listening.

[This message has been edited by JeffLewis2 (edited 05-29-99).]

I agree with 'jexjex' in that the participation and postings of MJW are very much appreciated. Personally I would encourage other airlines to participate on this site as well.
I'm also of the opinion that the perks as mentioned under 3 and 6 indeed can be improved so hopefully MJW can be our voice within NW.

BA Fan

[This message has been edited by BA Fan (edited 05-28-99).]

Thank you all for the feedback! I will get back to you all on
everything...but may need a little time.

The first thing I should have is a fleet update. I am waiting
to get exact purchases by aircraft type (not all RJs) and find out
which aircraft will be getting new interiors.

I just had a long weekend of traveling on Northwest and Continental and I thought of a few suggestions. (Warning -- topic expansion beyond just WorldPerks).

1. Put larger luggage compartments in your planes and be less restrictive with carry-on luggage. The fact that it takes people a lot of time to stow their luggage is caused by having not enough space in the overhead bins.
2. Tie WorldPerks into a hotel program, something similar to the United-Hilton program where people who fly United not only get United frequent flier miles but ALSO Hilton points.
3. Put showers in at the WorldClubs! I've taken too many redeyes where I had to go to a meeting or catch another flight; stopping to take a shower would be really nice. (American has them at some of their clubs).
4. Give people the 500 mile bonus for connecting flights when they have a "direct" flight through a hub that requires a change in aircraft. (These are really connecting flights where the flight numbers happen to be the same).
5. On the NorthWest web site, post all the information that applies to WorldPerks elite; stuff like how to get upgrades, who to contact, the private 800 number, etc. You can limit access to this section of the web site by requiring that people enter their frequent flier number for entry; you know which ones are elite and which ones aren't.
6. For elite passengers travling in the main cabin - let people show their elite WorldPerks cards to get free drinks and/or free headsets.
7. Bring the WorldPerks elite program more into sync with the Continental elite program.

That all being said, these are relatively minor things but they would really help to make travel on NOrthwest more enjoyable.

MJW has opened Pandora's Box. As already evidenced by some of the previous posts, we want it all and we're not embarrassed to ask for it!

In line with other posters on NW-related threads, I deeply appreciate MJW's participation in these discussions. And since I believe that Worldperks is already a darn good program, I feel improvements should be incremental, not as wide-ranging as some suggest.

From where I sit, possible improvements include:

1. A wider palette of travel awards, such as lounge access, car rentals, perhaps hotel stays. (Non-travel awards (e.g., golf clubs from Hertz) are a losing proposition. Negligible benefit/cost ratio.)

2. Better quarterly Elite packs. Actual deals would be welcome. (I use maybe one coupon in an average pack, typically a car rental discount for vacation use. Most coupons are, to put not too fine a point on it, dross.)

3. Increased/better web/email-based access to Workperks personnel. NWA has already scored with allowing many award reservations on-line. Possibilities for improvement are: email inquiries, better partner integration, more intelligent inventory search capability (e.g., nearest available date), etc.

Note that the suggested changes:

1. Leverage Worldperks' existing strengths

2. Do not significantly increase cost

3. Provide subtle but crucial improvements that are not easy for other programs to duplicate.

-Pushpak

Perhaps MJW should run a Worldperks clinic so that others at NWA could learn to share in her enthusiasm for offering a quality product! Giving good service is just as contagious as giving poor service! I truly feel that many, like myself, rely heavily on customer service to distingush between airlines and to make choices on which carriers to take!

I want to apologize in advance if I am not able to spend
much time on FT the next 5 days or so. I have several
meetings to prep for and a much needed getaway planned.
I WILL be spending some time talking/working with other areas of
Marketing on many of your suggestions - and
posting replies
when possible. Corporate wheels don't always turn as
quickly as we would like, so I appreciate your patience.

TravelLover - We do partner with Hilton, by the way! Also, in
response to your comments about the Elite sections on the web
site - we do have
someone working on a "master plan" to enhance nwa.com for
Elites. One new feature is information on Elite Personal Privileges
partners and offers, with access limited to Elites. More to
come.