To help you get the most out of your Elite benefits, remember these helpful guidelines.
Elite Upgrade Status Messaging
You may choose to receive the Elite Upgrade Status message via e-mail, voicemail, pager, handheld device or wireless phone. We recommend that you also select a preferred notification time to ensure we provide you information at the time of day that is optimal for you.
Automated Upgrade Process
Northwest prioritizes upgrades based on the type of ticket purchased (full-fare vs. discount fare), Elite status, class of service (within Elite levels), date and time of booking. Full fare tickets include Y fares or -26/-27 type fares. Discount fare tickets include all other fares.
Delta® and Continental Airlines will also process upgrades for WorldPerks Elite members on Delta-operated and Continental-operated flights. All upgrades are automatically processed*. You do not need to call Northwest, Delta, or Continental to confirm your upgrade; WorldPerks Service Center agents can not upgrade discount fare tickets.
* All bookings made on or after October 28, will be placed in the automatic upgrade process for Delta-operated flights.
Complimentary Elite Upgrades are only available on domestic flights.
Upgrades are for travel within the 48 contiguous United States; between the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America, and on select Continental Micronesia flights within Asia.
The following Continental flights are not eligible for Elite upgrades: flights to/from Central and South America with a BusinessFirst cabin and select Continental Micronesia flights with a BusinessFirst cabin.
Platinum Elite members receive automatic upgrades for one companion booked within the same reservation. If you have more than one companion included in your reservation, your upgrade will not be processed. To upgrade yourself when your reservation includes more than one companion, you will need to divide your reservation at nwa.com | Manage My Reservations. Once divided, your reservation will be automatically upgraded.
Silver and Gold Elite members whose reservation includes one or more companions who are not WorldPerks Elite members, will not be upgraded. To upgrade yourself when your reservation includes additional travelers, you will need to divide your reservation at nwa.com | Manage My Reservations. Once divided, your reservation will be automatically upgraded.
Platinum Elite and Gold Elite members may upgrade PerkSaver and PerkPass Award tickets. These tickets will be automatically upgraded 1 day prior to departure if a seat is available for upgrades (only available on Northwest-operated flights).
Platinum Elite and Gold Elite members may request an upgrade for one companion from any paid fare (full or discount) only at the airport within two hours of departure on a Northwest-operated flight.
More detail on Elite upgrades can be found on our Elite Upgrades page.
