Problems with nwa.com checkin
 

I just tried checking in with nwa.com for my 10:35 flight out of SEA tomorrow (22 hours from now). Here's the message I got:

The nwa.com Check-In service is only available less than 30 hours and more than 90 minutes prior to flight departure.

Please see a Northwest agent at the airport for assistance if you are within 90 minutes of departure or try again later if you are more than 30 hours from departure.
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I'll try again before I leave for Seatte this afternoon, but I'm disappointed this service doesn't work as advertised. If that still doesn't work, I'll just use the terminal at the airport tomorrw, but I really wanted my 2000 bonus miles.

Well, 30 hours is new. It was 24 hours up until recently. Did you enter your FF number or your record locator code? I've found the locator code works at times when the FF number doesn't.

If you've been "selected" there isn't much you can do except show up and get searched everytime you board. A total pain.

If you are using a ticket that got changed from one trip to another this process sometimes keeps the online process from working. You can call NW and try to find a kind soul that will "reissue" the ticket in the system afterwhich you can use the online capability.

Call the reservation center and let them know your situation and have them note in your reservation record that you are attempting to do an online checkin and the system won't let you. Then after the trip, request the bonus miles.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by pderby (edited 06-19-2002).]

I've had similar problems a time or two but was able talk a nwa internet service rep (the regular cs reps will refer you to them) into issuing a request for the miles after the fact. Takes a while longer for the miles to post going that route, but if you don't have too many segments or other prohibitive issues with the ticket, they should be able to accomodate your request for the online check-in bonus.

The Check-In 2,000 Bonus Mile Promotion ended May 31. This promotion was replaced by 1,000 Bonus Miles Promotion when you use nwa.com Check-In. "Customers who have never used nwa.com Check-In will earn 1,000 bonus miles for using the service between June 1 and September 30. This bonus is not valid for customers who have previously used nwa.com Check-In."

I never was able to get nwa.com to work. At the airport I tried the self-serve check-in terminal and it wouldn't work either. I was checked in manually by an agent. I still have no idea what the problem was.

GWN