What Northwest Airlines wrote to me

by Jamie Rhein on

As a person with oodles of frequent-flier miles, you can bet when I read about Northwest’s merger with Delta our miles flashed before my eyes and headed down a drain until I mentally fished them out. Should we book that flight to Copenhagen, Denmark even though we’re holding out for Asia next summer?

When I headed to my in-box, there was an e-mail from Northwest Airlines telling me not to worry about my World Perks miles and Elite status. They are safe and will not be affected by the merger. The message also pointed out that this merger will give me more options to use those miles because of the increase of the routes and the global reach. What I want is for them to fly to Vietnam.

I’m glad that Northwest sent me a warning along with the time frame of when changes could occur. It does make me feel part of Northwest’s radar–like possibly they care. Letting customers know what is going on is key in today’s uncertain world. It instills confidence and keeps customers coming back.

A few year’s ago, when we were flying Northwest to Taiwan and had to be rerouted to Honolulu due to engine failure, we were told what was going on during each step. It was clear that Northwest was prepared to make sure that we were comfortable and happy. The engine trouble resulted in a two-night stay at the Sheraton Waikiki with vouchers for breakfast and dinner–not too shabby. United Airlines lost my business because when the same thing happened on a flight from L.A. to Singapore, we were treated terribly. I have yet to forgive them.

Despite the e-mail, I’m not quite comfortable because our mile accumulation is a hefty amount that I’d hate to lose. I’m the type that hoards for a better day. That day might be now. I’ve started looking into that Denmark trip just in case. As Grant also wrote, better play it safe to not be sorry later.

What does the NWA & Delta merger mean for passengers?

by Grant Martin on

The news, so to speak, is inevitable, as last night’s news and this morning’s press conference are confirming: Delta and Northwest Airlines are to merge. Together they will form the world’s largest airline capable of moving more passengers to more corners of the globe in fewer steps — so they say.

What does this mean for the current passenger of each respective airline? As far as routes and operations, not much will immediately change. It will take 6-8 months to iron out the details of the operation, during which the airlines will continue to operate independently. Afterwards, corporate says they’ll be keeping all of the hubs between the two cities, keeping all of the small local routes and maintaining all of the operations that you now hold dear.

Whether or not that is true is another question — the two airlines would have seven hubs in North America with six east of the Mississippi and five in a pretty straight line between Atlanta and Minneapolis. That doesn’t seem like a great way to geographically approach a hub and spoke system.

Regardless, all routes and schedules are guaranteed, so if you have or want to book a ticket now, go ahead — you’re in no danger of losing it. Indeed there are only a few overlapping routes between the two airlines, so it’s pretty unlikely that they’ll mess with any of your flights; if they do, they’ll rebook you on Delta and you’ll be fine.

For now, both carriers claim that their mileage programs and miles will remain in tact. Multiple press releases, corporate words and their new special website repeat this and I believe this true to the point that your miles won’t be erased. What they could do, however, is screw with the quality of the miles — after all, each mileage program is set up with different milestones and redemption levels — one is going to have to adopt the other’s policy.

Naturally, the airlines want you to believe that Your Favorite Hub and Your Special Miles are going to be safe in the merger. If you cash in your miles that’s money out of the bank and if you lose faith in your hub your business is going to go elsewhere. So don’t plan on them telling you anything that’s really going to happen any time soon.

If you want to play it safe, I would use some of those miles right now and start shopping around for tickets. It’s not too difficult to redeposit your miles if you decide you want to keep them and in the mean time they’re in a safe place (invested in your vacation). And if you really really don’t know what to do with your miles, leave a comment below and I’ll tell you how to get rid of them. Trust me, you don’t want to waste your 100k miles on 70 years of Newsweek subscriptions yet.

Northwest Airline’s extra baggage fee and the advantage of children

by Jamie Rhein on

When I was looking at my Frequent Flier miles summary from Northwest Airlines, the extra baggage fee notice caught my eye. The surcharge of $25 for the second bag starts on May 5. Grant wrote a post about why airlines have taken to such money making strategies. As a person who is not the lightest of packers, I have some incentive now to really think about what I’m loading into a suitcase. This means I’ll have to do better than the last minute pack job I’m so geared towards.

The excess baggage rules do remind me of the advantage of traveling with a small child. Small children’s clothes don’t weigh much or take up much space. If a child is over two, you’ve already paid for the seat and with that seat comes a checked bag. Take advantage of the packing space. As long as your kids are in child sizes, you’ll do fine. Since kids get a carry-on too, put toys and essentials in that. Perhaps, you can even tuck in some of your items. Your toddler might not be able to carry the carry-on onto the plane, but that’s not part of the regulations. Kids are also good for carrying things like video cameras. Just sling the strap over one shoulder so the strap crosses the chest. With some careful planning, you might be able to take advantage of the extra space a child affords for at least seven years.

The $50 Paypal rebate on Northwest is back

by Grant Martin on

Earlier last year I posted an article about a new promotion between Northwest Airlines and Paypal, where if you pay for your ticket with Paypal you get a 50$ rebate after a few weeks. It worked pretty well, I flew a couple of routes and I got my money back long ago.

It looks like they’re running the promo again, maybe to stir up more interest in Paypal’s payment engine. The promo website says that you must book before March 27th and fly between April 1 and June 14. Easy enough.

And now some words for all of you afraid to use Paypal: It’s not that difficult. You don’t need to sign up for any crazy service (imagine my arms waving wildly in the sky), jump through any hoops or sell your soul to the devil. At the end of the booking process, you select Paypal as an option, click through a few links and drop your credit card number in. The rebate will be stored in an online account which you can directly deposit into your personal bank account or have sent to you in a check.

Still concerned? Let me know. I’ll book your ticket using Paypal, send you a check for twenty bucks and spend the other thirty dollars on sandwiches. Delicious, delicious sandwiches.

Anyone want a free Northwest Airlines WorldClub pass?

by Grant Martin on

[Sorry for the delay in getting this posted — we had some legal issues to iron out]

Many of you have been privy to the ongoing discussion between Iva and myself about the virtues and the vices of airline club memberships. I think the benefit has come down to how valuable you find a) free snacks and alcohol and b) free wireless. While the noise is a bit quieter and the seats a bit more comfortable, other purported benefits may not be as useful as the airlines say.

Well, it’s time for you to make your own opinion. I have an extra one-time use WorldClub pass that I can send to any Gadlinger that can use it. It expires March 31st and you must be 21 years old to use it. It also helps if you’re flying on NW, although you don’t necessarily have to be. Just make sure that the terminal that you’re flying through has a WorldClub in it (and that its not in the next terminal over).

All that we ask in return is that you USE the pass and write in to tell us what you thought of the WorldClub. It doesn’t have to be an award-winning essay — just drop us an email telling us how you found the experience.

If you want me to mail the pass to you ASAP, post a comment below. We’ll make the drawing on Wednesday and you’ll have it before the end of the week.

Check out lounge locations here.

Good luck!

  • To enter, simply leave a comment below.
  • The comment must be left before Wednesday, March 12 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
  • One Grand Prize Winner will receive a Northwest Airlines WorldClub pass good until March 31 (valued at $45)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

[Thanks for all of your comments, we’ve already selected a winner]