Comments on: Northwest WorldPerks and I http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/ Minneapolis, Minnesota Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:11:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Very Unsatisfied http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-83919 Very Unsatisfied Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:06:29 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-83919 My mom and I are trying to use Northwest frequent flyer miles to go to Hawaii this Christmas. She has almost 43,000 miles, and I have about 18,000. I'm willing to buy up the rest of the miles so that I have the 35,000 required to go to Hawaii... which is MUCH cheaper than flat out buying a ticket. Well, after spending my whole night last night trying to make this happen, my mom and I are completely DISGRUNTLED with Northworst (as we call it in Detroit)... not that we haven't ever been before this. No matter what dates I put in and no matter what destination I put in (I even put in a roundtrip from Detroit to Tulsa, OK for June 2009 just to see what it would say), the web site claims there is nothing available for the minimum amount of frequent flyer miles that the Northwest Awards Chart claims will get you a *free* ticket somewhere. I'm quite sure that SO MANY people are flying from Detroit to Tulsa and back and already have booked those trips for June 2009!!! We're completely disgusted with NWA and will never fly it again... unless that is the absolutely last option available to us. We're going to try and spend those miles to go somewhere, and then we are done with NWA. Things are so out of hand with many U.S. airlines now, and NWA is one of the worst ever!!! My mom and I are trying to use Northwest frequent flyer miles to go to Hawaii this Christmas. She has almost 43,000 miles, and I have about 18,000. I’m willing to buy up the rest of the miles so that I have the 35,000 required to go to Hawaii… which is MUCH cheaper than flat out buying a ticket. Well, after spending my whole night last night trying to make this happen, my mom and I are completely DISGRUNTLED with Northworst (as we call it in Detroit)… not that we haven’t ever been before this. No matter what dates I put in and no matter what destination I put in (I even put in a roundtrip from Detroit to Tulsa, OK for June 2009 just to see what it would say), the web site claims there is nothing available for the minimum amount of frequent flyer miles that the Northwest Awards Chart claims will get you a *free* ticket somewhere. I’m quite sure that SO MANY people are flying from Detroit to Tulsa and back and already have booked those trips for June 2009!!! We’re completely disgusted with NWA and will never fly it again… unless that is the absolutely last option available to us. We’re going to try and spend those miles to go somewhere, and then we are done with NWA. Things are so out of hand with many U.S. airlines now, and NWA is one of the worst ever!!!

]]> By: Mary Hanson http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78836 Mary Hanson Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:25:36 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78836 Hey Aaron, We have the REI visa and also use it as a check card to pay for everything except my mortagage, which I did try to add, lol. It gets you a 1% dividend that you can spend at REI or wait til July and get back as a check. I usually get over $300 back, not bad with no annual fee. I'm sure there may be better offers with others, but thats my .02. Mary Hey Aaron,
We have the REI visa and also use it as a check card to pay for everything except my mortagage, which I did try to add, lol. It gets you a 1% dividend that you can spend at REI or wait til July and get back as a check. I usually get over $300 back, not bad with no annual fee. I’m sure there may be better offers with others, but thats my .02.

Mary

]]> By: Erica http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78626 Erica Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:31:03 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78626 I think it's interesting that we've come to expect rewards from our credit cards. And interesting that our credit ratings are so influenced by our usage of them. I'd rather stick with Moe's cash-only approach. And I could (mostly), but our commerce system makes it less rewarding to do so, despite the good sense it makes. I think it’s interesting that we’ve come to expect rewards from our credit cards. And interesting that our credit ratings are so influenced by our usage of them. I’d rather stick with Moe’s cash-only approach. And I could (mostly), but our commerce system makes it less rewarding to do so, despite the good sense it makes.

]]> By: Moe http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78610 Moe Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:56:07 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78610 Just noticed that someone recently asked a similar question on Ask Metafilter: <a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/96243/Which-Visa-card-is-best" rel="nofollow">Which Visa card is best</a> Just noticed that someone recently asked a similar question on Ask Metafilter: Which Visa card is best

]]> By: Bill http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78352 Bill Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:23:43 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78352 It sucks that we really have not a lot of other viable choices for direct flights and are about to get taken for a ride by this whole Delta merger. It sucks that we really have not a lot of other viable choices for direct flights and are about to get taken for a ride by this whole Delta merger.

]]> By: Moe http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78249 Moe Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:52:15 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78249 @Erica that's a good point. Oh, and Aaron, awesome picture up there. @Erica that’s a good point.

Oh, and Aaron, awesome picture up there.

]]> By: Erica http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78211 Erica Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:02 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78211 I decided earlier this year to give up the Worldperks Visa as well. Just as soon as I pay it off, which I'm scrambling to do before my annual fee hits in October. Priority #1 is to get rid of this card. I still haven't settled on a primary replacement card. I'm leaning towards the Amex, but you really can't go without having a Visa, so I'll probably glom on to the existing Target REDcard account in our household. Honestly Target seems to be the only rewards program worth having if you don't travel a lot. Or charge a lot. I travel a fair bit, but don't do enough of it or enough charging of things to earn enough rewards for seemingly any program to be worth much. @Moe I was initially moving towards getting rid of using any and all credit cards for anything but emergencies, but I keep reading that the fraud protections are so much greater through a credit card and are practically non-existent for debit cards and that alone may make it worth it to stick with the credit card. I decided earlier this year to give up the Worldperks Visa as well. Just as soon as I pay it off, which I’m scrambling to do before my annual fee hits in October. Priority #1 is to get rid of this card.

I still haven’t settled on a primary replacement card. I’m leaning towards the Amex, but you really can’t go without having a Visa, so I’ll probably glom on to the existing Target REDcard account in our household.

Honestly Target seems to be the only rewards program worth having if you don’t travel a lot. Or charge a lot. I travel a fair bit, but don’t do enough of it or enough charging of things to earn enough rewards for seemingly any program to be worth much.

@Moe I was initially moving towards getting rid of using any and all credit cards for anything but emergencies, but I keep reading that the fraud protections are so much greater through a credit card and are practically non-existent for debit cards and that alone may make it worth it to stick with the credit card.

]]> By: Roundup | Minneapolis Metblogs http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78210 Roundup | Minneapolis Metblogs Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:18:06 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78210 [...] Two items on Northwest Airlines’ nickel-and-diming: News Cut is brainstorming ways to work around the new luggage checking fees. Aaron Landry explains why he’s breaking up with Worldperks. [...] [...] Two items on Northwest Airlines’ nickel-and-diming: News Cut is brainstorming ways to work around the new luggage checking fees. Aaron Landry explains why he’s breaking up with Worldperks. [...]

]]> By: Moe http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78188 Moe Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:17:29 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78188 Thanks for this post. I haven't used a credit card for years, instead just using my Wells Fargo check card for all purchases. But recently I have started to think about the idea of using a card for points, and some of these ideas will help. Thanks for this post. I haven’t used a credit card for years, instead just using my Wells Fargo check card for all purchases. But recently I have started to think about the idea of using a card for points, and some of these ideas will help.

]]> By: Sarah http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78182 Sarah Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:12:23 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78182 I sympathize as well. I have recently switched to Miles by Discover. You can use your rewards to redeem on flights or other rewards. You get double points when you charge flights and other travel related expenses on the card (not including gas). No annual fee. I use this card like a debit card as well - we will see what good fortune it does or does not bring me! I sympathize as well. I have recently switched to Miles by Discover. You can use your rewards to redeem on flights or other rewards. You get double points when you charge flights and other travel related expenses on the card (not including gas). No annual fee. I use this card like a debit card as well - we will see what good fortune it does or does not bring me!

]]> By: Aaron http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78011 Aaron Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:53:47 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78011 Nick- I actually am signed up for that and 1% of my transactions go to South High School. These have been a lot of great suggestions. Thanks for all the feedback. Nick- I actually am signed up for that and 1% of my transactions go to South High School.

These have been a lot of great suggestions. Thanks for all the feedback.

]]> By: Nick http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78010 Nick Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:48:56 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-78010 As one former WorldPerks junkie-turned-REDcard holder to another, I completely sympathize. You have made a good choice with the REDcard ... additionally they have a program whereby 1% of your Target ransactions will be donated to a school of your choice. Worth signing up as long as you have the card. They call it Take Charge of Education. As one former WorldPerks junkie-turned-REDcard holder to another, I completely sympathize. You have made a good choice with the REDcard … additionally they have a program whereby 1% of your Target ransactions will be donated to a school of your choice. Worth signing up as long as you have the card. They call it Take Charge of Education.

]]> By: Meredith http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77951 Meredith Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:26:40 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77951 I paid off and closed out my Northwest Airlines Visa last month. I had already decided that for the annual fee I paid, the rewards were too hard to claim, there really were no more free flights to speak of, not even to major markets. I was also charging everything to my Visa to eek out the most miles, not worth it. Also, their service has gotten so poor, with charges for food and no more movies, oh and in Seattle their ticketed passengers with baggage check in takes over 2 hours!! I switched to a Capital One Mastercard, no annual fee, lots of reward choices including multiple airlines, yup I'm happy. I paid off and closed out my Northwest Airlines Visa last month. I had already decided that for the annual fee I paid, the rewards were too hard to claim, there really were no more free flights to speak of, not even to major markets. I was also charging everything to my Visa to eek out the most miles, not worth it.

Also, their service has gotten so poor, with charges for food and no more movies, oh and in Seattle their ticketed passengers with baggage check in takes over 2 hours!!

I switched to a Capital One Mastercard, no annual fee, lots of reward choices including multiple airlines, yup I’m happy.

]]> By: Seth http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77918 Seth Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:29:39 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77918 I just called NWA to voice my displeasure. I have been doing the exact same thing as Aaron for about the same amount of time. I am almost to elite status this year and am ready to give up the NWA ship. I already have my Ameriprise World Elite Master Card, $125.00 a year and I get free visits to most airlines world elite clubs through priority pass. Plus I accrue Ameriprise Rewards points that are good for most things travel. I love this card and it supports my employer. I am going to use up my NWA miles and call it done with that airline. Anyone know any good third party FF mile vendors I can transfer my miles to? I just called NWA to voice my displeasure. I have been doing the exact same thing as Aaron for about the same amount of time. I am almost to elite status this year and am ready to give up the NWA ship. I already have my Ameriprise World Elite Master Card, $125.00 a year and I get free visits to most airlines world elite clubs through priority pass. Plus I accrue Ameriprise Rewards points that are good for most things travel. I love this card and it supports my employer. I am going to use up my NWA miles and call it done with that airline. Anyone know any good third party FF mile vendors I can transfer my miles to?

]]> By: ben http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77905 ben Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:37:45 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77905 Erin and I just cleaned out our WorldPerks miles as well and signed up for a AAA Visa card that has rewards. (we were already AAA members). The rewards are various: cash, airline miles, "stuff" in general. I like that its not tied to one airline. Erin and I just cleaned out our WorldPerks miles as well and signed up for a AAA Visa card that has rewards. (we were already AAA members). The rewards are various: cash, airline miles, “stuff” in general. I like that its not tied to one airline.

]]> By: Ed Kohler http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77904 Ed Kohler Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:36:19 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77904 A mile used to be worth around $0.02 when it cost 20,000 to fly and the typical booked flight (with miles) was around $400. A mile today is probably worth less since it take 25,000 to do anything, and it's a huge time suck trying to actually do anything. I have a PayPal business debit card that pays 1.5% back (immediately) on all purchases. Of course, I have to fund my account first. A mile used to be worth around $0.02 when it cost 20,000 to fly and the typical booked flight (with miles) was around $400. A mile today is probably worth less since it take 25,000 to do anything, and it’s a huge time suck trying to actually do anything.

I have a PayPal business debit card that pays 1.5% back (immediately) on all purchases. Of course, I have to fund my account first.

]]> By: Brandi http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77901 Brandi Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:33:28 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77901 I also like the American Express Clear Card and the Citi Bank PremierPass Mastercard (which I've heard other people like as well) Regardless, I am not looking forward to future business trips. I am wondering what happens when someone needs to gatecheck something? I always end up having to gatecheck my suitcase because I'm hauling something for my job that I can't lose. Have you heard anything about gatechecking? Also, as an aside, Air Canada managed to lose my gatechecked bag, which is impressive. I also like the American Express Clear Card and the Citi Bank PremierPass Mastercard (which I’ve heard other people like as well)

Regardless, I am not looking forward to future business trips. I am wondering what happens when someone needs to gatecheck something? I always end up having to gatecheck my suitcase because I’m hauling something for my job that I can’t lose. Have you heard anything about gatechecking?

Also, as an aside, Air Canada managed to lose my gatechecked bag, which is impressive.

]]> By: Jason DeRusha http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77900 Jason DeRusha Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:08:23 +0000 http://s4xton.com/1780/northwest-worldperks-and-i/#comment-77900 Try the American Express Blue Cash card. No fee, and after you spened $6500 in a year, you go to 1.5% cash back, and 5% cash on groceries and gasoline. I put most stuff on that, and everything else on a Visa. Try the American Express Blue Cash card. No fee, and after you spened $6500 in a year, you go to 1.5% cash back, and 5% cash on groceries and gasoline. I put most stuff on that, and everything else on a Visa.

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