Segments for Elite Status
Mar 3, 2001 | 3:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Milwaukee, WI (Now 3 Million Miler) NWA 120 Segment Gold, CO Plat
Posts: 71
Segments for Elite Status
Well, it’s time for me to vent. I have been a loyal NW flyer for the past 7 years. When I switched to them in ’94, it was when TWA started jerking everyone around with upgrade “coupons”. At the time, I was flying TWA approx. 140,000 actual miles, and after getting bumped out of FC because I didn’t have a coupon, I figured it was time for a change. I’m hoping I won’t have to do the same thing again. It took several phone calls at the time, but NW comped me Gold Elite (their highest at the time) based on the number of miles I flew. Until 1999, I never flew them below 100000 actual miles, usually ending up between 120K and 130K.
About a year and a half ago, I opened another business/office in Detroit. This being one of their hubs, coupled with the fact I am spending an inordinate amount of time there getting everything and everyone trained to the point that my presence will no longer be mandatory, it cut my flying down quite substantially. 1999, I ended the year with about 65K. Not wanting to loose Platinum status, I went on a 4 day, 10000 mile “Mileage Run”, and ended the year just over 75K. That year, one of my assistants, whom I pulled off the road in September, ended the year with 48500 miles. Adjusting or upgrading her to Gold Elite was kind of expected, even though she had only been flying for about a year and a half. To my surprise, and dismay, she was upgraded to Platinum! After several phone calls, one of the VPs finally told me that the reason she was upgraded all the way to Platinum, was that she had flown over 90 segments. NW and Continental were in the process of “merging” everything, and 90 segments was the alternative requirement for Platinum.
This year, I ended the year with about the same 65000 miles. Since this was over 120 segments, giving up one of the few weeks I get to stay at home with the wife and kids to go on another Mileage Run, was definitely not on the agenda. Having been told by a VP that 90 segments would be enough for Platinum, I was confident that 120 should be a “gimme”. Well, when I got my elite credentials packet for 2001, it arrived as a Gold Kit. Also enclosed was a letter stating that “Although you did not accrue the 50,000 Credited Flight Miles normally required for WorldPerks Gold Elite status, we are pleased to extend the privileges of the Elite membership in recognition of your past loyalty.” My first reaction was, “Cool, they did what they said they would do, but, just sent the wrong packet.” So, I called the WorldPerks Service Center, and they confirmed my suspicions and said, “yes, you were sent the wrong packet, we will get you a Platinum packet out to you right away”.
Well, one week later, I received another letter, (on WorldPerks Gold Elite letterhead), stating “…the incorrect welcome letter version was included in your Gold Elite kit. Please accept our apologies for this error.” So, I again called the WPSC, and was informed that no, regardless of anything I had been told in the past, I only qualified for Gold, there is no other way to qualify for Platinum other than actually flying 75000 miles, so all I was “entitled” to was Gold, and that that was all I would be receiving. Nice way to handle a customer that has amassed 2.2 million miles in 7 years! She did say that I could request an upgrade in writing, (which I have since done), and that it will take 2 or 3 weeks to receive an answer after they review my file.
In the meantime, I have called Continental, and a couple of other airlines, and they would be happy to comp me Platinum status based on my having flown over 120 segments. If I switch to Continental, I would be flying through Cleveland, instead of direct, and I would have approx. 240 segments a year on them. Or, I could just keep flying Northwest, use my Continental Platinum card, and maintain Platinum Elite status with them by flying 120 segments on Northwest! (Doesn’t make any sense, does it?)
The other thing they do not realize is, I control which airline all of my employees fly, and since up until now, Northwest has been pretty good to me, so I have had all of them flying Northwest as well. Some of them would be MORE than happy to fly ANYONE other than Northwest! One of my people lives in Phoenix, and flies to Detroit every week as well. (About 175000 miles last year). He has expressed great interest in switching to America West, as he feels very disappointed with Northwest’s service, even though he flies First Class about 98% of the time.
So, in the meantime, I have taken a “leap of faith” that Northwest will upgrade me to Platinum, as I don’t think there is another airline out there that wouldn’t give it to me based on the amount of flying I do; and continued to buy all my tickets, (and my employees as well), on Northwest. I guess I’ll know in a couple of weeks whether or not they do. But, I would like to hear any of your comments regarding this. And thank you for listening to me ramble. I needed to get this off my chest. Thanks, and blue skies to you all!
About a year and a half ago, I opened another business/office in Detroit. This being one of their hubs, coupled with the fact I am spending an inordinate amount of time there getting everything and everyone trained to the point that my presence will no longer be mandatory, it cut my flying down quite substantially. 1999, I ended the year with about 65K. Not wanting to loose Platinum status, I went on a 4 day, 10000 mile “Mileage Run”, and ended the year just over 75K. That year, one of my assistants, whom I pulled off the road in September, ended the year with 48500 miles. Adjusting or upgrading her to Gold Elite was kind of expected, even though she had only been flying for about a year and a half. To my surprise, and dismay, she was upgraded to Platinum! After several phone calls, one of the VPs finally told me that the reason she was upgraded all the way to Platinum, was that she had flown over 90 segments. NW and Continental were in the process of “merging” everything, and 90 segments was the alternative requirement for Platinum.
This year, I ended the year with about the same 65000 miles. Since this was over 120 segments, giving up one of the few weeks I get to stay at home with the wife and kids to go on another Mileage Run, was definitely not on the agenda. Having been told by a VP that 90 segments would be enough for Platinum, I was confident that 120 should be a “gimme”. Well, when I got my elite credentials packet for 2001, it arrived as a Gold Kit. Also enclosed was a letter stating that “Although you did not accrue the 50,000 Credited Flight Miles normally required for WorldPerks Gold Elite status, we are pleased to extend the privileges of the Elite membership in recognition of your past loyalty.” My first reaction was, “Cool, they did what they said they would do, but, just sent the wrong packet.” So, I called the WorldPerks Service Center, and they confirmed my suspicions and said, “yes, you were sent the wrong packet, we will get you a Platinum packet out to you right away”.
Well, one week later, I received another letter, (on WorldPerks Gold Elite letterhead), stating “…the incorrect welcome letter version was included in your Gold Elite kit. Please accept our apologies for this error.” So, I again called the WPSC, and was informed that no, regardless of anything I had been told in the past, I only qualified for Gold, there is no other way to qualify for Platinum other than actually flying 75000 miles, so all I was “entitled” to was Gold, and that that was all I would be receiving. Nice way to handle a customer that has amassed 2.2 million miles in 7 years! She did say that I could request an upgrade in writing, (which I have since done), and that it will take 2 or 3 weeks to receive an answer after they review my file.
In the meantime, I have called Continental, and a couple of other airlines, and they would be happy to comp me Platinum status based on my having flown over 120 segments. If I switch to Continental, I would be flying through Cleveland, instead of direct, and I would have approx. 240 segments a year on them. Or, I could just keep flying Northwest, use my Continental Platinum card, and maintain Platinum Elite status with them by flying 120 segments on Northwest! (Doesn’t make any sense, does it?)
The other thing they do not realize is, I control which airline all of my employees fly, and since up until now, Northwest has been pretty good to me, so I have had all of them flying Northwest as well. Some of them would be MORE than happy to fly ANYONE other than Northwest! One of my people lives in Phoenix, and flies to Detroit every week as well. (About 175000 miles last year). He has expressed great interest in switching to America West, as he feels very disappointed with Northwest’s service, even though he flies First Class about 98% of the time.
So, in the meantime, I have taken a “leap of faith” that Northwest will upgrade me to Platinum, as I don’t think there is another airline out there that wouldn’t give it to me based on the amount of flying I do; and continued to buy all my tickets, (and my employees as well), on Northwest. I guess I’ll know in a couple of weeks whether or not they do. But, I would like to hear any of your comments regarding this. And thank you for listening to me ramble. I needed to get this off my chest. Thanks, and blue skies to you all!
Mar 3, 2001 | 4:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: WILD ANIMAL PARK (SAN), CA> GOLD-CO, MARRIOTT, HH, STARWOOD, HYATT,
Posts: 1,373
I would find it difficult to decide, as well.
I was loyal to NW throughout the 1990's. Then switched to CO last year for better equipement, better food, etc. But my fleight originations and destinations changed somewhat, when I moved from Palm Springs area to San Diego. There is more Co service out of San Diego.
Out of Detroit you have MORE NW flights to choose from, and NO hope to Cleveland. Fortunately, you can use the CO OnePass for flight credits.
It seems now, that it is easier for me to get flights on NW.
I was loyal to NW throughout the 1990's. Then switched to CO last year for better equipement, better food, etc. But my fleight originations and destinations changed somewhat, when I moved from Palm Springs area to San Diego. There is more Co service out of San Diego.
Out of Detroit you have MORE NW flights to choose from, and NO hope to Cleveland. Fortunately, you can use the CO OnePass for flight credits.
It seems now, that it is easier for me to get flights on NW.
Mar 3, 2001 | 7:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Allentown, PA USA
Programs: Northwest-millionair; Marriott, lifetime gold
Posts: 578
I wish you well in your effort to re-gain platinum. But I am puzzled by your "making" your employees fly Northwest. Why would an employer do that other than for economic reasons ? Why would you not want them to have the same choice of airline you have, if you don't have prefered rates with NW and they can do just as well elsewhere ? Anyway, good luck. Northwest has resisted segment qualificaiton for a long time.
Mar 3, 2001 | 7:38 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Milwaukee, WI (Now 3 Million Miler) NWA 120 Segment Gold, CO Plat
Posts: 71
It’s not that I MAKE them fly NW, well, I guess I really do as I am the decision maker, but the reason is deeper than price. The airlines today are pretty competitive in the markets that we normally fly to. Whatever one airline offers, the other matches. It’s more a matter of: 1) Convenience. I can check all the upgrades, and verify times, gates, etc., all with one phone call. And: 2) Loyalty. As I mentioned earlier, NW has been pretty good to me. And being a business owner where loyalty means a lot to me on the receiving end, I like to return it much in the same way. Take good care of me and mine, and you get ALL my business. This is what makes it all work, IMHO. Thanks.
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Blue Skies to you all!
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Blue Skies to you all!
Mar 3, 2001 | 8:36 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
Sounds like you would be interested in being present for the chat on March 15 with the WP Marketing Manager here on FT. Check the link, hopefully we will have some of these questions answered.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/001207.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/001207.html