Update on your Northwest and Delta miles

by Grant Martin on

As we barrel forward into 2009 and the processing merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines, small facets of the company are slowly being integrated. Just a few weeks ago, the first NW 747 was repainted in DL colors, and ever so gently the NW routes are starting to disappear.

Throughout the year, mileage accounts between the two airlines will also be integrated, with the joint rules pulling from both carriers current programs. Here are the basics:

  • Miles from each program are safe.
  • Partway through this year you’ll be able to transfer miles between each account at no cost. You won’t be able to transfer elite miles, but before year’s end they should be integrated. So miles on each airline will count towards 2010 status on the new, merged airline.
  • New award fees for non-platinum members will be instituted. Booking award tickets:
    • Outside of 21 days of travel = free
    • Between 8 and 20 days = $75
    • Between 4 and 7 = $100
    • Inside of 3 days = $150
  • A new award tier asking for more miles with “better availability” will be offered. You can check that out here, but effectively if you want better flexibility with your tickets you’ll now need to cough up 30-40% more miles.
  • All passengers will now be able to earn elite status with segments.

Are these changes for the best? Most passengers I’ve listened in on are unhappy with the new fees and award tiers, but I think they’re being a bit gloomy.

I concede that in 2009 it will be harder to spend your Skyteam miles, however, so if you’re thinking about booking a ticket this year, it’s never too early to start looking.

Got a question about your miles? Shoot us a note at editorATgadlingDOTcom and we’ll try to help out.

Many inexpensive last minute holiday airfares do exist

by Jamie Rhein on

You’ve probably noticed the stories about how airfares have dropped and air traffic is down. Two weeks ago, I flew from Copenhagen to Columbus on two airplanes that were not full. The Continental flight from Copenhagen to Newark was empty enough that most people had seats between them.

The flight from Newark to Columbus was even more roomy. The row in front of my daughter and me was empty, and we had that hoped for seat between us as well.

With less people flying that means more competition to entice passengers to fly. My mom is heading to New York City for the holidays. This past May, she took the bus because of gas prices and soaring airline costs. Her ticket plane ticket would have cost almost $400 at the time.

She thought about the bus again until last night when I searched for airplane tickets on a whim. There were several options for a $166 airfare when I used the variable date function. Delta and Northwest were the least expensive flights, but the flight she wanted was on Delta to LaGuardia which she prefers over JFK. Flights into Newark, at least the ones I saw, were more expensive.

Not only was she able to score a flight to the airport of choice, she also was able to get flights that are direct and leave at the times she preferred. At first, it looked like she’d have to leave at 6 a.m., but after going to another day of departure, an early afternoon flight to New York appeared. She also wanted to book a return flight later in the day than what originally appeared. Again, further looking found the exact flight out of LaGuardia.

After using Travelocity to find choices, I went directly to Delta’s web site to book the ticket. The amazing detail is that she’s leaving on Monday, just days from booking the ticket. Cheap flights so close to departure used to be unheard of.

So, if you’re thinking of going somewhere for the holidays, look into flying. It may be far less expensive than you thought. These are the days of deals. To find the best ones, look for flights during the week. My mom is flying out on a Monday and back on a Wednesday. In this case, the direct flights were less than the flights that went through another airport. I am amazed.

Delta offers buyouts to 75,000 employees

by Josh Lew on

Despite promises that job cuts will be minimal as a result of the Northwest/Delta merger, Delta recently offered buyouts to 75,000 employees. Delta CEO Richard Anderson explained that the airline needs to make the cuts because of the economy: “To deal with the effect of the recession, we are moving quickly and decisively to decrease system-wide capacity by 6 to 8%.” This could be bad news for Delta employees. Severance packages are offered in lieu of lay-offs, but if not enough workers opt for the buyouts…

Northwest and Delta have hinted that their merger will lead to an unspecified number of job cuts. The Delta buyouts might allow Northwest employees at hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit to rest a little easier. Delta is offering buyouts to its own employees instead of swooping in to Northwest hubs and giving their own workers the best jobs. The only thing that is certain is that the drama is far from over.

[Via Today in the Sky]

Travel Alert! Join the battle for Salt Lake City!

by Grant Martin on

Either the LDS, The Salt Lake City Tourism Board or Northwest and Delta are up to something, because all of the sudden, prices out to SLC just tanked.

I’m pulling up tickets from about $100-$125 round trip departing from Detroit and Chicago respectively, with other cities across the country at fairly competitive rates. At this point, fares look to be good through early February.

“Why go to Salt Lake City in the middle of the winter,” you ask? One word: skiing. Park City is right around the corner from Utah’s capital city and for the money that you save on the plane ticket you can afford a nicer condo rental.

In case you’re really interested, what really happened is called The Southwest Effect. As the airline best hedged against fuel prices, Southwest has the wonderful position of setting the market rate on fares between many cities across the country. That is, as soon as they decide to publish a sale fare on tickets between Dallas and Los Angeles, everyone else has to follow suit.

Just today the airline published a 50% off coupon to Salt Lake City, so to stay competitive, Northwest and Delta matched the price. And that’s where we come in, my friends.

Book your tickets soon, I just booked a pair out for a weekend in January and availability already dried up for those days.

Gadling Take FIVE: Week of Nov. 1–Nov. 7

by Jamie Rhein on

With Obama’s win has come a round of election related posts this week. There’s an Obama musical planned in Kenya, bling to be had with inaugeration hotel packages and Obama-themed safaris.

In other travel related avenues that had nothing to do with the election, here are five other reads that range from the serious to the silly.

But, of all the posts this week that should not be missed, it’s Abha’s Stand By Me. No matter what people’s politics, the video she highlights is one with a message that is worth holding dear. Take time to watch it. The music is wonderful.