NW versus AA
 

Hi All,

What are the major advantages of NW Worldperks over AAdvantage? I live close to Chicago, so I was thinking to switch to AA from NW. Any good reason other than the direct flights out of ORD?

Thanks very much.

Tintin

It depends on how often you fly and where you fly.

AA has a slight advantage over NW in terms of in-flight product – NW compensates by offering lower fares, but that’s usually not the case flying out of ORD. NW offers a superior elite program if most of your flying is domestic – unlimited First Class upgrades (space available, as a NW Platinum I’m virtually always upgraded) are the selling point. AA offers a few free upgrades, but charges for the rest. If you fly 100,000 miles per year, you’ll get VIPOWs. I’m AA Gold and think the benefits outright suck – NW Silver is far superior. But I may feel differently if I were AA Platinum.

[This message has been edited by IndustrialPatent (edited 02-26-2003).]

Since this question is highly subjective, you should link your threads since you cross-posted http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Please also see
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum71/HTML/014871.html

A few good starting places for opinions on AA v NW:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/003752.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/005011.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/004880.html

"American's bankruptcy predicted"

AP story in the local paper today.

I *am* an AA Plat, and I agree with IP on this.

It can be summed up simply:

If you mainly fly domestic, NW is the way to go, over spending the money on AA upgrades to Domestic first (while you earn domestic upgrades on AA, if you mainly fly domestic, you won't earn them anywhere near as fast as you use them).

If you fly mainly international, AA is superior because you can use miles to upgrade from any fare (which, if your company is cheap, can be a good thing). NW upgrades internationally can't be done on the cheaper fares. And if you fly a lot of international, you'll be earning far more domestic upgrade "points" for your use.

Steve

UPGRADES!!! Depending on the type of aircraft American is using, sometimes First Class is so small, no chance of an upgrade. Was on a recent AA flight from Nashville to DFW, only 2 rows of first class. If NW has jet service to where you go, except for the ERJ's, upgrades are pretty good. NW is also good about bonus miles on their promos.

CRJs, not ERJs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Just flew AA first class to Punta Cana, wow very empressed. The dinner was better than World Business Class and the service was excellant. The flight attendants called you by mr. xxxx and mrs. xxx this was great. Northwest flight attendants have a lot to learn on customer service. PHL to MIA and MIA to PUJ. I don't know about the upgrades I used miles to upgrade. I was Gold Elite on NW until yesterday now just Silver. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

CRJ's by NW Airlink (Pinnacle) do not have FC. RJ85's by Mesaba do. I stand corrected.

It should be reinforced that it is extremely difficult to earn an internation upgrade on NW.

AA is far easier.

Hi All,

Thank you very much for your feedback. I guess, I will stay with NW, at least, for this year. NW is really lucky to have so many loyal customers. I found some of NW's senior mangements, such as, Beth Shultis, are very cordial and take personal effort to help individual customers. They are "big plus" for NW and an incentive for us. But I wish NW improve their web cite.

Can anyone suggest how can I book a SFO to LAX one way flight in NW web page? NW partner Alaska Air operates in this route. I want to buy it from nw.com for WP miles and online booking bonus.

Thanks very much,
Tintin

NW sells many coded AS nonstop flights, but LAX-SFO is not one of them.

Post your thoughts about NW vs AA here instead of that other topic. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sorry I can NOT fly AA because it won't take me to many Asian destinations other than Tokyo (code-sharing does not count).

I only fly AA to Flordia for spring break nonstop from BOS because NW's BOS-DTW-MCO route would waste a good 3-4 hours.