Elite cards when you're no longer one..
Mar 10, 2004, 9:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: YUL
Programs: AC, Bonvoy
Posts: 63
Elite cards when you're no longer one..
I was a NW Silver Elite in 2002, but because I started using Air France since, I lost my "eliteness". But until now they haven't sent me a regular membership card, so I still use the elite card. Should I continue using it or will they send a new one eventually?
Mar 10, 2004, 10:25 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Worcester, MA, BOS, PVD, BDL, MHT, ??ORH??
Programs: Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 11,928
I don't know if they will send you a new card or not, but it really won't make a difference. If your WP number is in the reservation, NW will know your status. Your WP number is the same but your status is no longer elite so you won't get the automatic upgrades. Showing your old elite card shouldn't help get an upgrade, but maybe if you show the elite card, you might get lucky and snag an op-up if no one else has any better reason to get in front of you. Don't count on it, but it can't hurt to try.
Mar 10, 2004, 12:55 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
NW won't send you a regular WPs card unless you request it via mail. It's a one shot deal, not something that's sent every year.
aloha
aloha
Mar 10, 2004, 1:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI USA DL FO (until 2/04), NW silver '03, NW gold '04+'05 Plat '06+ (thanks, Leo!), DL SkyClub
Programs: DL Plat/ Million Miler, AS, Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, Piggly Wiggly Pig Points
Posts: 2,233
I would keep the expired Elite card. The magnetic stripe on the back will make it easier for you to use the automated checkin machines.
Mar 13, 2004, 5:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MCI ** UA Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,250
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dick Ginkowski:
I would keep the expired Elite card. The magnetic stripe on the back will make it easier for you to use the automated checkin machines.</font>
I would keep the expired Elite card. The magnetic stripe on the back will make it easier for you to use the automated checkin machines.</font>
Mar 13, 2004, 6:00 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Ya... I never carry my card. Never needed it...until they started those kiosk thingies..
Speakig of Kiosks, can someone tell me why it takes a novice less than a minute to check in via the Kiosk, but a trained agent takes 10 minutes?
Speakig of Kiosks, can someone tell me why it takes a novice less than a minute to check in via the Kiosk, but a trained agent takes 10 minutes?
Mar 13, 2004, 6:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NW Platinum, SPG Platinum, HHonors Diamond.
Posts: 1,186
My wife swears it's not a good idea because of the "potential" issues involved. I am sure those kiosks are protected by fire-walls and they do not store you CC #, why take the chance? I use my NW card, it's just as easy.
Mar 14, 2004, 11:43 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,426
Your name is encoded on the card and I that is what the machine uses. It compares the name with reservations in the system which is why the CO terminals (I've not used the NW ones) ask for your departure city after using a credit card but not when you use your elite card.
Mar 18, 2004, 1:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SPG Plat, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,015
NWA no longer sends non-elites hard cards. If you want a card you can print it from NWA's site.
But I never bother using cards (WP or credit) at kiosks anymore. By touching the bottom portion of the first screen, you can pull up your reservation by entering your WP number or confirmation number. I just keep my flight info in a Palm for backup - no cards needed.
[This message has been edited by Family flyer (edited Mar 18, 2004).]
But I never bother using cards (WP or credit) at kiosks anymore. By touching the bottom portion of the first screen, you can pull up your reservation by entering your WP number or confirmation number. I just keep my flight info in a Palm for backup - no cards needed.
[This message has been edited by Family flyer (edited Mar 18, 2004).]