Just got back from a trip on DL (T fare)...too bad...only missed the 100% EQM by 2 days! Wonder if I'll get it anyway if the flights post 10/26 or later.

First, let me say THANK YOU to NW. You just earned my business for another year. I had some obvious thoughts in reading the new rules that I'd like to share in case I'm off base here.

-We can still earn 100% EQM on NW coded flights operated by CO on V fares (purchased through NW), which takes some of the sting out as V is usually somewhat reasonable.

-Delta EQM at 100% until further notice, which suggest that this isn't the final resting place...full Y fares do not get an EQM bonus any longer.

-The dilemma is this...CO (cheap fares) with a FC upgrade and 50% EQM or DL (cheap fares) in coach with 100% EQM. Very smart on NW part...this makes the best option NW to get both 100% EQM AND FC!

-NW has two strong SkyTeam connections...KL and DL. CO has one...DL (no KLM codesharing...right?). If/when KLM and Air France merge, NW is almost assured of a spot having such a tight bond with KL...and now favorable reciprocity with DL. CO is left out in the cold. Could CO end up out all together???

-Final strategy...fly NW whenever possible, fly CO as a NW codeshare in V when necessary, fly CO in a non-NW market only if F upgrade is available (ie Central America), fly DL when price/convenience is worth dealing with no F upgrade. (This will evolve no doubt)

------------------
Randy
-------------------------
HH Gold; WN CP; NW Gold Elite

[This message has been edited by LUVSWA (edited 10-25-2003).]

Yep. They've even driven me away as an infinite platinum. So glad I got a NW comp - they're sure as heck getting all my 75K next year, company dollars as well as personal.

I can't wait to give CO absolutely zippo in 2004. Way to go NW. Thank you thank you thank you.

I emailed my thanks to Beth Shultis using the website and "contact us", and received the following in reply:

This letter acknowledges receipt of your E-mail to Ms Beth Shultis,
Vice
President, Marketing and Loyalty Programs, in regards to the Northwest
WorldPerks Elite program for 2004. She has reviewed your letter and
asked me to respond.

Ms Shultis appreciates all feedbag from our WorldPerks members, but
most
importantly or WorldPerks Elite members.

On behalf of all of us at Northwest Airlines and the WorldPerks
program,
we appreciate the support you have shown for our airline in the past
and
we are committed to earning and maintaining your loyalty. Please be
assured that as a member of our WorldPerks program, you are one of
Northwest's most important customers.

we hope that Northwest Airlines and our alliance partners
will have the continued privilege of serving your air travel needs.

Sincerely,

Cheryl A Johnson
Correspondence Specialist
WorldPerks Customer Service Center

I'm glad NW has decided to stay above the crowd, but I still gotta observe the marketing forces in action... NW in effect has debased its ff program yet again in terms of the cost of reward travel... and its customers are ecstatic because it wasn't worse! Debasing the program, yet gaining customer loyalty in one stroke. And in my ridiculous addiction to ff programs, I'm somehow grateful, and almost manage to ignore the bad taste in my mouth.

**************APPLAUSE*************

How did you get a NW comp... I'm guessing you are talking a Plat Comp?????????

I'm so glad CO-coded flights but operated by NW still earns 100% EQM on lower fare classes.

However, due to the announcement, I've already lost 4,100 EQM on an upcoming CO trip next February!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I too am ecstatic over the NW decisions for the Elite Worldperks program in 2004.

This is particularly so in view of the general direction the program had been going in the past few years. For some reason, it seemed that even though NW was in a position to lead, they were simply following Continental (even at a time when they controlled Continental's stock!) and equalizing the programs by reducing the awards to the lowest common denominator.

For example, a few years ago when they had Peak and Off-Peak awards, they dropped the Off-Peak Rulebusters. I'd asked about it at the time and was told they had to do it to align the program with Continental. Why didn't Continental add off-peak rulebusters?

Then of course, there was last year's move where -for our benefit, because we were all getting so confused- they eliminated the off-peak tier entirely. (I hated the spin they put on this at the time, like it was for our benefit; as if there was any confusion about punching an itinerary into the computer and letting it price the miles required! Of course, peak and off-peak had become largely meaningless because of capacity controls. And of course, they chose to eliminate the lower-tiered level, not the upper. This was simply a smokescreen for a mileage price increase.) Something at the time indicated to me that this also was initiated by Continental.

It's good to see Northwest show some backbone and stand it's ground here, instead of following the lead of Continental and Delta in alienating their best customers.

[This message has been edited by Sam Drucker (edited 10-25-2003).]

Another option when NW is unavailable is to fly AS. I'm assuming NW will continue to give 100% EQMs on all coach fares with AS.

This is like an early Christmas present!!

I really was getting an unsettled feeling, and when I first saw the subject heading, I thought to myself....uh-oh, here it comes...

What a great surprise to read the news.

The Delta thing on the side is interesting, is it not.

Although I am a hub-dweller, I also do enjoy flying so do not mind connecting flights (and do not mind the extra miles to do so) - so I anticipate my CO flights to be fewer in number in '04.

Since i am a 'discretionary' travler (sure do like the sound of that word) I had at my discretion been holding off on any purchases for next year. At my discretion after this announcement I purchased a Vacation Package to Asia from nw for next year in celebration. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This is a very good point, but none the less... it could have been worse...

I think if you write to NW, you should cc the note to DL and CO as well.
(Especially if you are mentioning that you are an EX - DL or CO who has switched and happy)

Three cheers for NW!!!

Other good news I received today...
(1) I booked an Asia trip for January (paid Y) and upgraded to WBC on all segments using miles.
(2) I got my EUA for a west coast trip later next week http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I just emailed thru customer care my thanks to Beth Shultis & the marketing team for confirming and reminding me I chose the right airline and frequent flier program.

As far as the increase to 15k for first class upgrades, IMO, I guess I expect mileage "inflation" over time. With elite bonus miles, web bonus miles, promotional bonus miles, credit card bonus miles, etc, etc, pumping up my account constantly, I can live with it. Of course, unlimited domestic upgrades that really happen kinda helps also. Now as far as international upgrades go... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif