(also posted to the CO forum)

I'm investigating a new FF program (currently a PM at DL), and would like some assistance with the differences between the CO and NW programs.

To the best of my research, the differences are:

CO uses EUA exclusively, while NW allows agent action
CO allows full credit for NW CyberSavers, NW is 250 miles only
Differences on segment qualification (not relevant for me)
World Clubs have more affiliated locations than President's Club
NW limits baggage to 50 lbs, CO is 70 lbs

Similarities are:

Domestic upgrade qualifications
No international upgrades except for mileage upgrades
Cross-airline upgrades probably done after own FF members

Unknown (rumor) factors:

CO's EUA discriminates on the basis of fare
Switch at the gate (from the Nonepass website)
Does NW have any restriction like HoKeY fares?

Anything that I have left out? Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

If member of either WorldClub or President's club, can access the other.

I am NW Plat. I have never had a problem flying or being upgraded on CO fares, even when just Silver.

I fly out of PHL. I can take either CO or NW. Typically, NW has less expensive fares in my market. I have been very happy with the NW FF program. I looked at both, and thought that NW was a better fit.

Have fun deciding...either choice is better than DL (Less Room Throughout First!)!

I am a CO Plat Elite and a NW PLAT Elite.

Northwest has empowered the Elite line to handle flight irregularities, upgrades and anything else that may need attention pertaining to NWA flights.

Continental has disempowered the Elite line agents. You get explanations such as "The computer handles all upgrades, we are not allowed to" and they have more excuses why they (CO Elite Line agents) cannot assist in resolving issues.

It's your choice, I'd recommend Northwest.

Good luck!

ditto RC. You'll see and feel the difference in Elite lines on your first involuntary reroute (aka DC-9 mechanical).

[This message has been edited by Eidetic (edited 12-28-2002).]

Although it is true that if you are a PC member you have access to the WC. It is not true though that you have acess to all the WC "affiliated" clubs. For instance NW is still affiliated with America West and WC members have access to their lounges, CO broke off from America West and PC members lost access to those lounges. Domestically there is not a lot of difference, some America West and Alaskan Air clubs WC members can access and PC members can not, however, I think the biggest difference is seen in Europe and Asia where the WC affiliated lounges seem to be more plentiful than PC affiliated lounges.

I made the switch from CO gold to NW this year. They just have a better program overall and I can still use CO metal when ever I choose (which is not very often!)

If you are elite with Worldperks, your elite bonus miles are earned based upon your actual flight miles or the per-segment minimum (500 miles) -- whichever is GREATER.

If you are elite with OP, your elite bonus miles are based upon the actual flight miles.

Of course, this is only an issue on <500 mile flights.

One big advantage to Onepass - if you are elite, you can get award seats out of a special inventory for CO flights. NW has nothing similar, so Onepass elites have an easier time finding award seats. Worldperks/Onepass award seat availability is generally abysmal, compared to other airlines, so this extra allocation is signficant.

dont know if this is what was being described above, but if u are a NW Plat, and you purchase a CO ticket and there is no upgrade available the day before departure .. in order for you to get on the upgrade standby list, you have to show up at the airport and check in. You dont get automatically placed on the first class stand by list unless you are a CO elite. The reverse is not true. CO Elites get placed on NW standby lists regardless.

This really blows when doing the EWR-CLE route because it is so heavily travelled .. the first class is usually always sold out, and if you are like me, running to the airport with just enough time, then you get put on the standby list on a first come first serve basis, and several times I've seen CO silvers get bumped up and me being a NW plat, getting coach

I recognzie some subtle differences between those two programs as well.

Worldperks:
Membership expires in 36 months for inactivity.
Miles can't be transferred out to any other program (please educate me if I am wrong.)

Onepass:
Membership expires in 18 months for inactivity.
Miles can be transferred out to HHonors or Amtrak--->UA (25k annual cap).