WorldPerks program changes
 

Has anyone else heard about changes to Northwest's trans-atlantic upgrade policy? Check out http://www.nwa.com/features/upgrade.shtml

I can't believe they gave NO notice on this.

The no notice is quite understandable.

Why give people a chance to complain before you do it http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks. This really stinks! Does anyone know exactly when this "gem" of a notice was posted at the site? Was it literally yesterday? Anyone get any written notice? Any changes in transPACIFIC upgrade policies?

This sucks! (though I know the rule change reflects other airlines "stiff" upgrade restrictions). I'm mostly upset by the sly, underhanded way it was announced! And to think I used to be so high on NW.. Boooooo



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Interesting.....when you you at the URL, it lists the words "features" and "upgrade". Of course in actual fact, it go on to downgrade the features. Not quite doublespeak, but a slap-in-the-face to we FF.

I hear many other airlines fly over the pond. I will again vote with my feet and my wallet.

Well, I knew I could save some money by flying NW/KLM to Europe for vacation in February, using miles to upgrade. Not as tight, and less expensive to upgrade than others.

Well, now they are like the other carriers. Moreover, world business class is not on par with the quality of same class of service by other majors. No longer a good value. Saying goodbye to vaction plans on NW and goodbye to NW Wperks.

well-just got off the phone with the NW elite line--primarily to express my suprise and extreme disappointment with the change to the upgrade policy, esp. with how it was communicated (or lack thereof). this change could have and should have been communicated better: read earlier, and not by a covert methods, ie posting via the freakin' web site. a change like this was undoubtedly in the making and decided upon a long time ago. at least NW could have given its loyal (i mean formerly loyal) ffers some advance time to make travel plans under the old rules. one day notice? come on!

now that i've calmed down a bit http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif the rule change itself is understandable. every other airline has fairly strict upgrade regs for lower-end coach tix (though it was a way NW formerly got business from me). again, its the lack of communication/forthrightness that kills me.

from talking to the agent, it seems they only got word of the change via an early morning memo dropped off on their desks. the agent told me she didn't think it the rule change went into effect until the 10th or 11th -- i'm thinking this is probably the "other" memo for a similar rule change for trans-pacific flights (to answer your Q doc).

Grrrrrrrrr well, now i will be taking my trans-atlantic business elsewhere as NW has just done away with a perk that had differentiated them in my eyes. and i sure hope that NW can fill all those seats with full revenue pax.

MJW - i'm pleading with you here ... anyway to communicate this feedback and what others have said back to the decision-makers at NW?? if so, give them a word-up on how to better inform us of tough messages such as this. we ff-ers can take changes to the program, just be more upfront about it.

sorry for the diatribe.

jexjex

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I'm actually glad they did this... a couple times a year I actually got tempted to fly NW again because of the old upgrade policy. Now they've removed the temptation and I won't have to deal with the poor customer service and bad attitudes that characterize NW.

Wouldn't it make sense to continue to make this kind of upgrade available to elite WorldPerks members as a bonus benefit? It would reduce the demand while giving a bit of an extra perk to the people Northwest wants most.

Fly American!

No crazy fare restrictions on upgrades (except for tickets bought from consolidators).

If an airline is offering a fare...it should stand by it with all the perks expected by ALL its customers.

This is a golden opportunity to make your voice heard. Everyone should flood NW with complaints, from customer service to the CEO. If we lay down and take it, we will get what we deserve, a devalued program. A couple of years ago UA tried to impose a saturday night stay restriction on free domestic tickets. The outcry was so loud they withdrew it. Treat this announcement as a trial baloon. If we don't yell and holler it will stick. Personally, this was one of the few redememing benefits to make me fly NW. If this sticks, its bye bye NW for me.

Hmmm... did anyone notice the new posting on NW web site describing the trans-atl upgrade rule change? why wasn't this language posted the first go around yesterday? (maybe NW is squirming a little here, though it does little to help matters -- an additional 3 "extra" days to book under the old rules, whoop-de-doo).

more and more i(re) think about it, i(re) think its time for me to switch airlines using one of those status-match deals ...

(i)re you listening NW?
http://www.nwa.com/features/upgrade.shtml

TransAtlantic Upgrade Change
Effective October 11, 1999, WorldPerks/OnePass Award upgrades to World Business Class are no longer available from our lowest transAtlantic Coach fares - those beginning with the letter V, Q, H or M. These upgrades continue to be available from Northwest/KLM fares beginning with Y, S, or B. This change has become necessary due to the strong demand for World Business Class seats across the Atlantic combined with low Coach fares in these markets.




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Jexjex
Their reason for the change is not too convincing. I've been on many NW transatlantic flights and WBC was pretty empty. They had other options. They could have capacity controlled it, like they do domestic FC. They could have restricted it so that it was only available in the low season. They could have made it avaiable only thru certificates and provide each elite member with a number of certificates based on status. Why do it now, as the low season approaches and there are plenty of winter seats available in WBC? There are many possibilites for handling the problem if there is one. It doesen't appear that anyone thought this through. The only rational reason I can come up with is that they decided to align their program with CO's. Is so doing, they will take away one of the few unique benefits that the World Perks prorgam provides.
If enough people complain, perhaps we have achance of getting this change put on hold, hopefully indefinitely.

here hear vulcan. initally i was miffed only as to the (nearly inexcusable)failure to adequately communicate the change. now i am questioning the reasons (logic? huh) behind the change. i agree that there were plenty of other options (certs, reserving it as a perk for elites, etc). and find it hard to believe they fill those b-class seats with full fare pax. and why couldn't they have waited until next calendar year?

i am hoping MJW will give us some of the inside scoop. maybe if we complain hard enough (like you said), they will reconsider. if not, i will take my business elsewhere.



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I agree that they are probably instituting this chage to align their ff program to that of CO. It seems that they could get more goodwill if they tried to align their service to that of CO. Why are they only imitating the shortcomings of CO