Soon to be New to NW'e Elite Program
May 8, 2001 | 1:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,752
Soon to be New to NW'e Elite Program
Hi--
This is my first post in the NW forum, as I've been a loyal UA customer for years, and post there frequently...I know UA's program like the back of my hand...However, United is pulling out of my home airport and replacing it with RJ's...So I'm considering switching to NW, which has much more frequent service and all jets (ARJ & DC9). I've flown NW, but don't know much about their elite program...Yes, I'm a NW Elite Virgin.
Never been comped to NW Elite before. Will I only be able to get to Gold, or do they comp to Plat too?
If I ask for status in let's say July, how long will it be good for? And do I still need to get 50K or 75K flight miles this year to re-qualify, even though it's only a 6-month period for me?
My biggest concern is the Upgrade...I've flow NW's domestic F before, so I know what it's like...But what I'd like to hear from some golds and platinums what their upgrade percentage is...I know the timeframe for clearing and am also aware that Upgrades are free for myself and a companion. (I should also mention that I buy all of my tix well in advance, so I wouldn't be a last-minute upgrader).
Companion upgrades--if on the same res number, are 2 people upgraded at the same time based on the highest status, or does the non-status flyer become secondary? Any luck getting a 3rd or 4th person on the same itinerary upgraded?
International upgrades (mostly to Asia)...Is it easy to use the 50,000 miles r/t for an Intl. upgrade to business? Is it valid on really low fares? I also read something about earning Intl upgrades as a platinum member--what's the deal with those--are they like UA's SWU's?
I know this is a lot, and I'm sure I'll have more questions, but those will follow later...I appreciate everyone's input here, and hope to be able to reciprocate in the future. Thanks!
This is my first post in the NW forum, as I've been a loyal UA customer for years, and post there frequently...I know UA's program like the back of my hand...However, United is pulling out of my home airport and replacing it with RJ's...So I'm considering switching to NW, which has much more frequent service and all jets (ARJ & DC9). I've flown NW, but don't know much about their elite program...Yes, I'm a NW Elite Virgin.
Never been comped to NW Elite before. Will I only be able to get to Gold, or do they comp to Plat too?
If I ask for status in let's say July, how long will it be good for? And do I still need to get 50K or 75K flight miles this year to re-qualify, even though it's only a 6-month period for me?
My biggest concern is the Upgrade...I've flow NW's domestic F before, so I know what it's like...But what I'd like to hear from some golds and platinums what their upgrade percentage is...I know the timeframe for clearing and am also aware that Upgrades are free for myself and a companion. (I should also mention that I buy all of my tix well in advance, so I wouldn't be a last-minute upgrader).
Companion upgrades--if on the same res number, are 2 people upgraded at the same time based on the highest status, or does the non-status flyer become secondary? Any luck getting a 3rd or 4th person on the same itinerary upgraded?
International upgrades (mostly to Asia)...Is it easy to use the 50,000 miles r/t for an Intl. upgrade to business? Is it valid on really low fares? I also read something about earning Intl upgrades as a platinum member--what's the deal with those--are they like UA's SWU's?
I know this is a lot, and I'm sure I'll have more questions, but those will follow later...I appreciate everyone's input here, and hope to be able to reciprocate in the future. Thanks!
May 8, 2001 | 7:35 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: LEX, NW Platinum Elite, DL Silver
Posts: 195
NW will comp you Gold Elite if you are now Plat with another airline.
Domestic upgrades are fairly standard for Gold or Plat Elites. They have an email program whereby you will be notified 3 days advance departure of your upgrade if you are gold.
International upgrades, I have not flown with upgradable fares.
i haven't experienced companion upgrades but I believe they do it if space available.
Domestic upgrades are fairly standard for Gold or Plat Elites. They have an email program whereby you will be notified 3 days advance departure of your upgrade if you are gold.
International upgrades, I have not flown with upgradable fares.
i haven't experienced companion upgrades but I believe they do it if space available.
May 9, 2001 | 12:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 36
Welcome to WorldPerks. I am a NW plat and was previously gold for years. I have had 100% success with domestic upgrades to F. My wife has had equal success as a silver. You will however, have trouble getting transpacific and transatlantic upgrades to WBC. You will have no success with low international fares period. NW has tightened the availability considerably in the last year. I have had success with eligible fares when I have been flexible and requested the elite line rep to work with me, but you really have to ask them to work on it. For example, recently the rep found an eligible fare MSP-AMS-MAD by routing me through ATL on KLM. I had to call back and spend a half hour on the phone because the first rep just brushed me off that nothing was available.
Esteban
Esteban
May 10, 2001 | 8:01 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 118
I am 9 for 9 (including domestic legs of international flights and CO flights) so far this year on domestic upgrades, and 0 for the table on international upgrades.
The big lack in the NW program is a top tier with SWUs or ZIP2 equivelants. It would be worth bumping platinum to 100K for them.
The big lack in the NW program is a top tier with SWUs or ZIP2 equivelants. It would be worth bumping platinum to 100K for them.
May 10, 2001 | 11:28 am
#5
Join Date: May 2001
Location: PDX
Posts: 863
nw_with_attitude,
How did you get an upgrade on the domestic leg of an international? When I was Silver Elite NW always refused me with upgrade cert.
RDY
How did you get an upgrade on the domestic leg of an international? When I was Silver Elite NW always refused me with upgrade cert.
RDY
May 11, 2001 | 2:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA
Posts: 61
Like nw_with_attitude, I have always been successful in getting an upgrade in the domestic portion on an international trip. But then again, by this I mean I fly on two separate flights, one purely domestic, and one purely international. So this only makes sense that the domestic portion is easily upgradable. Is the treatment perhaps different when you have the same flight number service for ingternational, even though it makes a domestic stop before getting enroute on the international segment?
May 11, 2001 | 2:52 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2001
Location: PDX
Posts: 863
Interesting...always at least 2 flight nos to destination in Europe, maybe I was trying to upgrade the domestic leg on an non upgradeable fare basis...I will certainly do the homework next time
Thanks
RDY
Love this board
Thanks
RDY
Love this board