Hi folks,

A bit intimidated trying to learn about a new airline after flying AA almost exclusively for 4.5 years.

I found this thread very interesting when considering whether to make NWA my second airline, and would appreciate help with a few questions:
1. Any chance NW will match AA EXP to Plat?
2. Plat Elite benefits did not include anything similar to AA's VIPs. Is the only way to upgrade intl itineraries using WP miles? Are there any base fare restrictions?
3. What's the success % NWA Plats have on the LAX-EWR route with CO (Mon red-eye out and Fri evening back) assuming its a mid-tier economy fare?

Thanks in advance.

1. Yes. Especially if you can demonstrate a significant # of already booked flights to prove you are serious.
2. Yes, it's called Elite Extra Perks. Not as good as the AA system, but AA's domestic award system isn't as good as NW's. A trade-off.
3. Can't help

1. I wouldn't necessarily count on a match to Plat, even if you're EXP on AA. Generally, AFAIK, most airlines won't match top-tier to top-tier. But you can always ask for a straight-up match. And if they only offer Gold, ask for a Platinum challenge (i.e. fly X number of flights in Y days in some fare class or something like that).
2. As mentioned, there are elite extraperks. There are also NW AnyFare upgrades floating around. I think those are awarded through the BizPerks program and you might have to trade for those. Short of those, I think mileage upgrades are the best routes, and right now, you can only upgrade trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific itineraries on eligible paid Northwest Y and B type fares, Continental Y and H type fares, and on KLM S and B type fares.
3. I don't know, but generally on a flight like that, I think CO is going to have a lot of its own Plats. Plus, CO generally has fewer seats in FC on the same aircraft type as NW. Although, they do have 7 (7?!) flights daily between LAX-EWR, so maybe you'd have a shot?

If you're going to be flying CO a lot, it may be worth considering a match over to CO. What is it about earning in WorldPerks but flying CO that you like?

You might want to check out the The Status Match Master Thread. Two points from that thread:

1. It looks like in general, NW will only match upto mid-tier. (But as stated by others, it doesn't hurt to ask.)
2. CO seems to match upto top-tier (Plat). So you might want to look at seeing if they will match your elite level rather than NW. (I personally have received a match to Plat on CO so I do know that they will do it, though my match was about 5 years ago.)

The reason for contemplating WP over OnePass are the elite extraperks that you have spoken about. CO does not seem to have anything comparable.

Re: #3, are NW and CO Plats treated on par when it comes to doling out battlefield upgrades? Have heard some references to NW Plats being given pref treatment over CO Plats on CO flights

Fair enough. Be sure to look at the award levels before you make the jump. Many people here believe there is little value in any of the extra perks until you hit the 120k level. So, make sure there is stuff out there that would make it worth your while for the level(s) that you expect to make.
http://www.nwa.com/eliteextraperks/

I don't think CO gives preference to NW Plats over their own. Urban legend, IMO. Conventional wisdom states that all CO Plats get upgraded before NW Plats, but many people have empirical evidence that as a NW Plat, they were higher on the waitlist than other CO Plats. So, I guess I don't know if there is an answer for certain.

LAX-EWR, CO actually sells a fair amount of the FC seats because it's great service, but some of the flights are 737, some 757 and sometimes an Int'l (BizFirst) config'd 757 and have fewer FC seats than NW would on connecting flights to NYC. Compared to AA's J to JFK, CO has much less F inventory to EWR. As a NW Plat, UG has never happened to me on a cheapo fare, but did happen back when I was gold on a higher fare. I think mid-range fares could help increase those chances. (If you want more, there are threads on CO LAX-EWR upgrade chances.)

1. Pretty much answered above.
2. Answered as well, but to reiterate, be aware that the fares must be NW Y or B fares, CO Y or H fares, and KL S or B fares. These can be quite high and not nearly as low as AA's discounted economy + "processing fee."
3. There are WAY too many NW & CO Plats in the system. Don't count on complimentary upgrades. On a recent trip to DTW, there were over 30 NW Plats who had to sit in the back.

If you fly paid C or F, consider AF's FFP...or, since you're AA EXP, you may want to explore CX's FFP and be able to book BA awards...as well as upgrade your AA flights w/o paying that "processing fee."

Just an update. I booked my first 3 trips (9 segments total) and then faxed my request to match status to AA (I am EXP). I was given Gold status. I was hoping to get the highest status, but it does not really matter as there is no way in 6 months I would have been able to get 100 segments to maintain it into next year anyway. The key benefit of status for me is the extra miles for each flight, as I am on the CRJ's on most flights anyway.

Even with all the cancellations by NW recently only one flight was delayed (3+ hours though for mechanical and then weather). I have been mostly pleased by the GA's (except for two flights) and all the FA's/pilots have been friendly. The seats on the CRJ's are not too bad, obviously not great, but in the past 3+ years 90% of my flights have been on small planes anyway, so I am used to that tight squeeze already.

I never took the 9th segment. I was luckily vol. bumped from a connection flight in an oversale situation to a direct flight in which I got home 3 hours earlier. The connection was planned to get an extra segment to maintain the Gold status for next year. The oversale was for a $300 voucher. The GA did not give me the voucher! After printing my new boarding pass I asked for it and she thought I did not really want a voucher since I was now going direct?? She said that after processing me onto the direct flight there was no way to give me a voucher and to give her my address and it will be mailed.
Two questions - will I ever get the $300 voucher in the mail? Should I call/email to get this in my file in case I do not get it? Any way to get the extra segment to post in a vol. bump situation? If I get the voucher all is ok, but if I don't I would at least like the extra segment posted. Advice?