Overlooked Loophole in Delta/Northwest Merger Nets Savings of Up to 71%

May 2009
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While the Delta-Northwest merger wends its way toward matrimonial bliss, I’d like to point out something important: Northwest’sWorldPerks is far superior to Delta’s SkyMiles, which we have often rated as one of the worst loyalty programs. You SkyMilers should throw your lot in with Northwest (meaning convert SkyMiles toWorldPerks) while you still can, and you Northwesties should reap the benefits of your program while the reaping is still good. Once Delta takes over at the end of 2009, thoseWorldPerks will be on their way to becoming Perklets.

Three Reasons to Convert SkyMiles to WorldPerks

• WorldPerks offers cheaper fares on domestic upgrades: A mileage program is best when you can use the miles with lower fares, as you can with Northwest. For example, the lowest upgradeable Delta fare on the Chicago - Honolulu route is $1,266 plus 30,000 miles. Northwest charges $711 plus 35,000 miles (these 5,000 additional miles can easily be replaced for about $135 plus fees), a fare difference of $555 (or $420). See chart for more savings.

• WorldPerks members have access to more inventory because in addition to Delta (via mileage transfer to Delta), the program also allows upgrades on two partners, Continental and KLM. (Note that these are not SkyTeam upgrades, meaning you don’t have to purchase a full-fare (Y) ticket to qualify.)

• Upgradeable fares toAsia, Europe and SouthAmerica are best when travel is booked with Continental, which offers lower fares throughWorldPerks. For instance, a Delta NewYork - Barcelona Business Class ticket costs $1,903 plus 50,000 miles. Book on Continental using WorldPerks miles and the cost is $854 plus 60,000 miles (10,000 miles equals about $270 plus fees), a savings of $1,049 (55%). (And you earn moreWorldPerks miles.) See chart for more savings.

As always, when you have huge partner-program discrepancies and everyday fare changes, you must do a little homework—which can yield big returns for upgrade availability and fare savings.As the merger comes to fruition, these loopholes will disappear, so take advantage of them now.

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[["<strong>Route<\/strong>","<strong>Northwest Upgradeable Fare Cost<\/strong>","<strong>Delta Upgradeable Fare Cost<\/strong>","<strong>Difference<\/strong>"],["Atlanta - Chicago","$298","$688","$390 \/ 131%"],["Atlanta - New York","$298","$698","$400 \/ 134%"],["Atlanta - San Francisco","$438","$898","$460 \/ 105%"],["Atlanta - Washington","$288","$678","$390 \/ 135%"],["Chicago - New York","$298","$778","$480 \/ 161%"],["Chicago - Orlando","$218","$568","$350 \/ 161%"],["Dallas - New York","$379","$1,299 ","$920 \/ 242%"],["Los Angeles - Dallas","$268","$506","$238 \/ 89%"],["Los Angeles - Miami","$378","$658","$280 \/ 74%"],["Los Angeles - New York","$498","$1,024 ","$526 \/ 106%"],["New York - Honolulu","$738","$1,224 ","$486 \/ 66%"],["San Francisco - New York","$458","$988","$530 \/116%"],["San Francisco - Chicago","$258","$790","$532 \/ 206%"],["San Francisco - Boston","$318","$698","$380 \/ 119%"],["Route","Continental Upgradeable Fare Cost","Delta Upgradeable Fare Cost","Difference"],["New York - Athens","$1,330 ","$2,148 ","$818 \/ 62%"],["New York - Frankfurt","$1,120 ","$1,892 ","$772 \/ 69%"],["New York - Paris","$1,231 ","$1,961 ","$730 \/ 59%"],["New York - Shanghai","$1,300 ","$1,780 ","$480 \/ 37%"],["New York - Buenos Aries","$1,569 ","$2,439 ","$870 \/ 55%"]]