Northwest Airlines Worldperks Overview
For years, Northwest has been the airline that people like to complain about (perhaps because its name is so easily changed to Northworst), but in reality, Northwest has a generous frequent flyer program with lots of upgrade opportunities, unparalleled access to Asia, and an upgraded premium and economy product on its A330 that’s about as good as anyone’s when flying internationally.
Part of Northwest’s reputation likely comes from its tendency to fly less-than-new aircraft and control hubs at two formerly miserable airports (Memphis, still miserable, and Detroit, now fantastic). Sure, you may still find yourself on a DC-9 built during the Johnson administration (that’s not an exaggeration), but for the most part their facilities and aircraft are perfectly serviceable and no longer deserve the derision they’ve received (for the most part, of course).
Northwest offers the same unlimited upgrade perk as its partner Continental, but unlike Continental, you may actually find yourself sitting in first class. Northwest flies 757s on many of its domestic routes and these aircraft seat 24 people up front – on most routes this allows even the lowliest Silver Elite to get bumped up front. If you do find yourself stuck in the back, even in these frill-free days you may be surprised by the lack of food and entertainment on domestic flights. You’re basically paying for a seat…and that’s it.
If you fly to Asia frequently, you could do much worse than relaxing in business class on a Northwest A330, despite what you may have heard from your co-workers.
Keep in mind, though, that with the airline’s upcoming merger with Delta, it remains to be seen whether Northwest’s program will morph into the more restrictive Delta program.
Northwest Airlines Secret: Northwest’s intra-Asia business class award only requires 30,000 miles and can be a very generous add-on to an Asian business trip. Where else can you get a 6-hour flight in international-quality business class for that few miles?
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