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Now a good program is even better. Northwest Airlines has announced changes and improvements to its WorldPerks frequent flyer program. Listed below are many of the changes to the WorldPerks program, most of which will take place effective March 1, 1999:
--Frequent flyer miles will no longer expire.
--Effective 12/6/98 (subject to regulatory review) members can earn miles on all Continental, Continental Express and Continental Micronesia flights. Award travel will be available for booking on 2/1/99, for travel originating on or after 3/1/99.
--Members will still be able to redeem free travel awards as low as 20,000 miles within North America, during nine months of the year instead of only 10 weeks.
--A Saturday night stay will be required at the WorldPerks Standard Award level for travel in the contiguous US 48, Alaska and Canada, but not at the WorldPerks Rule Buster Award level.
--There will be fewer black-out dates within North America.
--More than half of the international award levels will decrease during the peak travel season, but some off-peak award levels will increase.
--The World Business Class bonus will increase from 25% to 50% effective 11/21/98.
--WorldPerks will no longer offer companion awards for international travel, similar to other programs in the industry.
Changes in the Elite Program include the following:
--Effective 12/6/98, WorldPerks miles earned on Continental flights will accrue toward 1999 WorldPerks elite status. This will be in addition to WorldPerks miles earned toward Elite status on Northwest, KLM and Alaska Airlines.
--Beginning 3/1/99, all WorldPerks Elite benefits will be available when flying Continental. On that date three new elite tiers will be introduced: Silver Elite, Gold Elite and Platinum Elite, replacing Northwest’s Preferred, Gold and International Gold Elite programs, respectively.
--Members may qualify for the Platinum Elite level at just 75,000 miles, 25,000 fewer than comparable industry programs.
--For every mile flown, bonuses will accrue at the following levels: Platinum Elite 125%, Gold Elite - 100%; Silver Elite 50%.
--Members may qualify for the Gold Elite level at just 50,000 miles.
--Gold Elite and Platinum Elite flyers will have access to unlimited First Class upgrades for travel in the U.S. Silver Elite members will receive unlimited First Class upgrades for use on full coach fares. Elite members can use these upgrades when flying on Continental.
Northwest and Continental Airlines have also recently announced an alliance which will improve travel options to consumers, and deliver a wider range of benefits to millions of travelers in the Americas, Asia and Europe.
Key consumer benefits include code-sharing on approximately 850 fights to 95 destinations, improving worldwide flight connections, service and schedules; full reciprocity between the two carriers’ frequent flyer programs; and reciprocity of airport lounge club membership privileges in the US. These code-sharing bookings will be accepted starting 12/12/98, with flights to and from Japan beginning on 12/29/98 and on other routes effective 1/7/99, and will offer to consumers a wider range of locations not previously available through either one of the airlines.
A detailed mailing on all aspects of the changes to the Northwest Airlines WorldPerks program will be sent to all active WorldPerks members.
Much more information is also available on the Northwest Airlines Web site at www.nwa.com.
