Lost it - need 500 miles to make silver
 

After many years of making either Gold or Plat, I find that I am one segment short at 29 segments to making Silver, and 400 miles to making Silver.

I have been thinking of making a simple mileage run - say PHL-LEX on 12/29 and return same day on NWA metal going to LEX and return. Only a one hour layover, and the cost is $240... anything that you can think of that would be cheaper?

Or would it be worth it to nicely ask for either a challenge of a comp to Silver?

With the changes coming, I am not sure it is worth it for a lowly Silver. I expect to fly a bit more this coming year.

Also, I am Gold now, and have a WC membership. It expires in Feb. Do you feel it is worth it to re-up before the end of the year or bail on the entire program.

I appreciate your comments.

If it was me and I was expecting to fly more next year, I would make the effort to hit silver so as to at least get the shot at upgrades and the mileage bonuses. Relative to the WC membership, it all depends on how much you value it and how much you intend to use it in the future. If you will be traveling more in the future, it seems reasonable that the WC membership may be worthwhile. It would make sense to get it while still Gold, though.

From a quick check, it looks to me like a PHL-DTW-SDF-DTW-PHL trip is about the cheapest same-day return available at $248.50 all-in. You'd have to spend at least 3 hours at SDF to get that fare, although a plus would be that an extra hour in SDF could allow you to fly entirely on mainline (LEX guarantees Airlink).

EDIT: An additional note; it appears you could actually fly one-way PHL-JFK on Delta to make the 500 EQM on 12/29/08 for $198, could potentially be cheaper than some NWA trips if you can get back to PHL through other modes.

You might be able to get BWI-DTW or CMH for less



Bob H

Not too long ago, NW gave free elite status, one level lower, to those who didn't qualify. I was gold and was awarded silver for one year. Now I am cattle and am trying to burn all my miles. The last bit is very hard; still sitting on at least a domestic trip on several airlines and 100,000+ on NW.

CO has PHL-DAY Mon 12/29 same-day for $220 AI

If you want to go somewhere for New Year's Eve DL has PHL-SEA out on 12/31 back on 1/1 for 286 AI. You can re-qualify on the outbound and start off your 2009 EQMs on the return. FLL is 268 for the same dates.

If you take the train to EWR, CO has EWR-DCA and vv for $149 all in. I was thinking I was going to have to do one of those until an angel at the WP service center found a flight that I took earlier in the year that somehow earned an additional 500 miles more than it had originally posted for. Don't know what s/he did, but it saved me the flight and a night at the EWR Hilton.

As an aside, what is the final ruling on NW elites earning minimum 500 miles on CO segments? CO initially eliminated that for CO elites; then reinstated it - what about NW elites on CO metal? I do see that this is enough miles for the OP either way.

I talked to a nice Elite NWA representative. She indicated because of the merger there will be no challenges offered...So I am trying to find CHEAP flights - I only need one segment or 350 miles.....ARRRGH....

Try PHL-CMH

Bob H

I'm assuming you have status now?

If so, that's good through 2/28/2009.

What is your planned flying in Jan-Feb 2009? If it's close to 25K, you may be better off waiting or doing a MR then.

Say you plan 20K of flying in Jan-Feb 2009, you could squeeze in a 5K mileage run and have Silver through 2/28/2011. If you do the MR now by end of year, your status is only good thorugh 2/28/2010.

Or, if you have a significant amount of flying in Jan-Feb 2009, you could just fly that, drop to no status and deal with it for the trip or two needed afterwards to bring you back. It may be only a short time without status, not really a whole year.

Just some ideas, it all depends on your planned flying pattern.

That is what I got - round trip PHL-DTW-CMH-DTW-PHL all on NWA or associated metal.. $180 and change...other alternatives were PHL-DTW-IND and return.

It is unlikely that I would fly 25K miles Jan-Feb 2009... Perhaps 4/5 trips - no where exciting: PHL-DTW; PHL-DAY; PHL-MCO and the always beautiful and luxurious PHL-MBS flight.

I will extend my WC membership while Gold. I wasn't planning to, but my wife convinced me indicating that it is always good when flights are delayed, and the occasional time when the family is traveling....

Thank you for everyone's help.

You may even be able to use the CR at PHL, though right now it's a bit of a hike to Northwest land there.

Bob H

I have used the Crowne Club several times in various places - but unfortunately, the one in PHL is in concourse A, and I usually fly out of E (with all the amateurs on SWA)....

I have found that several of the DL Crowne Clubs are outside of security...I fly to BNA a lot, and it is nice to have the CR directly outside the NWA gate.

It will certainly be an interesting year.