As we work to align the SkyMiles and SkyMiles programs, we have created a timeline of important program integration dates. See the timeline on delta.com for the latest news and an overview of the integration for 2009. Check back often, as the timeline will be updated regularly.

SkyMiles members who have earned Platinum or Gold Elite status for the 2009 program year may request complimentary upgrades on Alaska Airlines-operated flights, beginning March 1, 2009. New this year: electronic certificates are no longer required, and upgrades on full fare tickets are no longer limited to eight per year. Learn more.

Checker Sedan, the official luxury sedan service of Detroit Metro Airport, has joined the Northwest Airlines^® SkyMiles program. Every day of the year members can earn 150 miles from Checker Sedan for each one way trip to or from Detroit Metro Airport.

Elite Members
SkyMiles Medallion members will earn additional Bonus Miles. Complete details are in the Elite Special Offers section.

Double Miles
To celebrate the new partnership, Checker Sedan is offering SkyMiles members Double Miles through February 28, 2009. Members must provide their SkyMiles number to earn 300 miles for each one-way trip. Learn more about earning Double Miles from Checker Sedan.

To create your profile, make an online reservation or learn more about earning miles, visit Checker Sedan. Or confirm your sedan by calling Checker Sedan Reservation at 800-351-5466.

Effective March 1, 2009, the redeposit and reissue fee for award travel will no longer be waived for Platinum Elite members in an effort to preserve award seat availability for all SkyMiles members. Platinum Elite members have conveyed that making as many awards seats available as possible is one of the most important SkyMiles benefits. Many of these award seat bookings are held until the last minute and never flown. As a result, all SkyMiles members are unable to secure those seats.

However, the reissue fee for Platinum Elites will be waived for any two reservations per program year. After the two reissue fees have been waived, Northwest will collect $50 for each additional Award Ticket change per person/per ticket.

On January 15, 2009, Northwest will introduce a new award ticket redemption fee to align with Delta's award fee structure. This new fee will be waived for SkyMiles Platinum Elite members.

This fee is avoidable if you book your award ticket travel 21 days or more prior to your departure date.

On the same date, Northwest will increase our reissue and redeposit fees from $50 to $100.

Northwest is increasing these fees to align with Delta's award fee structure. To view a full list of award ticket fees, go to http://www.nwa.com/skymiles/travel/options.shtml.

Effective January 15, 2009, you will have more award flexibility as we are removing the Saturday-night stay restriction on Northwest and Delta-operated flights PerkSaver Award ticket travel.

Members will still need to adhere to Saturday-night stay requirements of Continental-operated flights.

Now all SkyMiles members can earn Elite Qualifying Segments on all Delta-operated flights for travel taken on or after January 1, 2009. To learn more about the qualifications needed to become a SkyMiles Medallion member go to http://www.nwa.com/skymiles/elite/overview.shtml.

SkyMiles members residing in select metropolitan areas now have the option of redeeming SkyMiles miles for a variety of newspaper subscriptions, including The Wall Street Journal (where available).

To view available newspapers for your area, click here.

SkyMiles members continue to have the option of redeeming miles for over 30 magazine subscriptions with Northwest’s Magazines for Miles program.

As our gift to you, Northwest will waive your shipping and processing fees when you purchase a SkyMiles Miles Gift Card or Miles Certificates before January 31, 2009.

For more information on Gift Cards, click here.

Northwest is introducing a third mileage award level and synchronized award prices with Delta. The new mileage award level will offer three tiers of award availability and more award travel options.

For more information, click here.

Now all SkyMiles Medallion members will enjoy complimentary First Class upgrades on most North America Delta and Northwest-operated flights (excluding Hawaii). SkyMiles Medallion members may also take advantage of this reciprocal upgrade policy.

Both Northwest and Delta systems will automatically upgrade SkyMiles Medallion members for all bookings made after October 28, 2008.

• Elimination of SkyMiles award fuel surcharges – Effective immediately, Northwest has eliminated fuel surcharges assessed for SkyMiles award travel. The surcharges were instituted earlier this year in response to unprecedented fuel costs.
• Reduction of the Direct Ticketing Charge – Previously known as the “Call Center Ticketing Fee”, effective November 6, 2008, Northwest will reduce the fee assessed for award tickets purchased over the phone from a Reservations agent from $25 to $20.
• Elimination of the Call Center Assistance Fee – Effective November 6, 2008, members are now able to request specific seat assignments or make voluntary itinerary changes via nwa.com or a Reservations agent for no additional fee.

SkyMiles members may now earn and redeem miles for travel on China Eastern flights. Headquartered in Shanghai, China Eastern serves more than 670 routes within China and to/from Asia, Australia, the United States, Canada, Europe and South Africa. Learn more about travel on China Eastern.

Travel to destinations in China becomes even more convenient when Northwest launches our Detroit to Shanghai nonstop flight beginning March 28, 2009.

SkyMiles members may now search for and book award travel on Air Europa, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Kenya Airways, Kingfisher, and Korean Air. This is in addition to Northwest, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air France, Continental, KLM, Delta, Alaska, Hawaiian and Midwest. Make your next award travel reservation on nwa.com today.

Looking for that perfect gift? Receive or Gift 25% more miles when you purchase miles through the SkyMiles Buy or Gift Miles programs. Offer is valid from November 3, 2008 to December 29, 2008. For further details please visit the Buy and Gift Miles homepage.

Relax and enjoy a bit of wine country, while earning 10 SkyMiles miles per dollar spent! Plus, if you are looking for more than wine or you live in an area that prohibits delivery of wine, take a look at a 800wine.com for gourmet gift baskets, desserts, Riedel crystal, and much more.

There is no change to your SkyMiles and/or SkyMiles accounts and you can continue to earn or redeem miles in either program. In late 2009, the SkyMiles and SkyMiles programs will merge. SkyMiles members should continue to book award travel at nwa.com and SkyMiles members should continue to book award travel at delta.com. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about this merger.

Continental Airlines has recently announced several changes to the OnePass program. SkyMiles members traveling on Continental, Continental Express and Continental Micronesia-operated flights are also subject to these changes.

• Effective for tickets purchased on or after November 15, 2008 with travel on or after January 1, 2009: SkyMiles members traveling on Continental will earn the actual miles flown rather than a minimum of 500 miles per flight. Tickets purchased prior to Nov. 15, 2008, will earn a minimum of 500 miles on segments flown on Continental regardless of travel date. SkyMiles Medallion members are exempt from this change, and will continue to earn a minimum of 500 miles. See complete Continental accrual information.
• Effective for tickets purchased on or after November 15, 2008 with travel on or after March 1, 2009: The Platinum Elite mileage bonus for travel on Continental will decrease from 125% to 100%. The Silver Elite mileage bonus will decrease from 50% to 25%. The Gold Elite mileage bonus will continue to be 100%. Tickets purchased prior to Nov. 15, 2008, will earn the current Elite mileage bonuses on segments flown regardless of travel date. See complete Elite mileage bonus information.

SkyMiles Medallion mileage bonuses and the 500 mile minimum remain unchanged for Northwest- and other Airline Partner-operated flights.

Northwest Airlines is pleased to announce a new SkyMiles Mileage Partner, TrackItBack. SkyMiles members can now earn 15 miles per dollar spent with TrackItBack

If you've ever lost or misplaced a cell phone or a set of keys, you need TrackItBack. TrackItBack is the world’s leading lost and found recovery service for portable items. Simply affix a TrackItBack ID label to your personal items and register them with TrackItBack. When your lost item is reported found, TrackItBack gets your item back to you - from anywhere in the world.

Based on feedback from our customers, Northwest Airlines is pleased to introduce several enhancements to the popular PerkChoice program, which allows SkyMiles to use cash for one half of their roundtrip travel and SkyMiles miles for the other. The first program of its kind, PerkChoice bookings made on or after September 12, 2008 are now even better with several major enhancements, including:

• Mileage accrual - Earn SkyMiles miles on the paid portion of your itinerary
• Elite upgrades - If you're a SkyMiles Medallion member, you now receive complimentary First Class domestic upgrades on the paid portion of your itinerary
• Mileage upgrades - Use your miles to upgrade to First Class on the paid portion of your itinerary
• Changes - For a single processing fee, you can make changes to your itinerary or receive a refund

To learn more about the improved PerkChoice, or to book a PerkChoice ticket, click here.

Beginning August 28, Northwest Airlines customers will be able to view their upgrade and standby status on nwa.com within 24 hours of their flight's departure. If you have been added to a standby or upgrade list for a Northwest Airlines domestic flight, you will now be able to view your respective priority and monitor your status live within the 'Manage my Reservation' section on nwa.com.

Northwest Airlines welcomes Budget Rent A Car to the SkyMiles program. SkyMiles members can now earn miles for rentals at particpating Budget locations worldwide.

To celebrate this new partnership, Budget is offering SkyMiles members up to 20% off and a very generous offer of 1,500 Bonus Miles. View the details on this introductory offer, which is valid through September 30, 2008.

This year the Car Rental & Ground Transportation category has doubled in size and options available to members. Visit the Car Rental & Ground Transportation category for more information on the 8 Mileage Partners in this category.

For reservations beginning October 1, 2008, only SkyMiles members listed below are eligible for SkyMiles award travel on JAL domestic Japan flights:

• SkyMiles Medallion members
• SkyMiles Visa^® Cardholders

To learn more about award travel on Japan Airlines, click here.

Northwest SkyMiles and the program’s provider of concierge services, WhiteTie, have mutually agreed to discontinue their partnership effective July 26, 2008.

SkyMiles members who enrolled or renewed with WhiteTie prior to July 26, 2008 will continue to receive the Northwest and WhiteTie benefits until their membership expires but not after July 26, 2009 – whichever date comes first.

Visit the frequently asked questions page for additional information regarding the discontinuation of the Northwest / WhiteTie partnership. To login to your existing WhiteTie account, visit www.whitetie.com. You can contact WhiteTie Member Services by writing cs@whitetie.com or calling 877.VIP.6222.

Through December 31, 2008, SkyMiles members can redeem their SkyMiles miles for Delta Vacations® E-certificates, valid for vacation packages or hotel stays.
>Read More

The following changes have been made to our award fees:

Call Center Ticketing Fee*: $25 per person, per ticket
Call Center Assistance Fee*: $25 per person, per ticket

Due to rising fuel costs, Northwest Airlines will implement a fuel surcharge for award tickets issued on/after September 15, 2008.

For more information on SkyMiles award travel fees, please click here.

*SkyMiles Platinum and Gold Elite members are exempt from the Call Center Ticketing and Call Center Assistance fees.

Starting June 18th, you are invited to complete a 60-second survey after speaking with a SkyMiles Medallion Line Agent. This Customer Satisfaction Survey will help ensure you receive the highest quality of service. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Northwest Airlines SkyMiles is excited to announce a new upgrade waitlist for Platinum and Gold Elite members which will provide a greater opportunity to upgrade to BusinessElite using your SkyMiles miles on international itineraries. We understand that mileage upgrades are not always available, yet inventory is always changing. So to make it easier for you, we’ve created a waitlist that will allow you to standby to be upgraded should inventory become available.

>Read More

Northwest Airlines is pleased to announce that Hertz is the newest SkyMiles car partner. SkyMiles members can now earn miles for Hertz rentals.

To celebrate this new partnership, Hertz is offering SkyMiles members special discounts, Bonus Miles, promotional offers and more! Learn more about Hertz and the special offers available.

The following changes have been made to our award fees:

Online Redeposit Fee*: $100 per person, per ticket
Online or Self-service Check-in Kiosk Change Fee*: $100 per person, per ticket

For more information on SkyMiles award travel fees, please click here.

*SkyMiles Platinum Elite members are exempt from these fees.

Northwest has expanded the mileage earning opportunities available to SkyMiles members with 3 new SkyMiles Mileage Partners. Effective April 1, 2008, Avis, SuperShuttle and ExecuCar widened the selection in the car rental and ground transportation category. At the same time, Thanks Again, a company that offers miles when you shop at participating local merchants, joined the program.

Avis

Avis is celebrating the new SkyMiles partnership by offering SkyMiles members 1,500 Bonus Miles for their first rental of 2 days or more at any airport location in the U.S. or Canada. Visit Avis to reserve a car  and you can drive away with 1,500 miles.

SuperShuttle

Need a lift? The blue and yellow vans of SuperShuttle will pick you up at your home, office or hotel and bring you to the airport. Make your reservation, they’ll do the driving and you can earn 50 SkyMiles miles each way.

ExecuCar

If you prefer the luxury of a private sedan service, ExecuCar is the only limousine service to offer 150 SkyMiles miles each way. Make your reservation today.

Thanks Again

Thanks Again offers members miles when they shop with participating local merchants. Simply enroll on the Thanks Again  web site and use your registered credit card the next time you make a purchase.

SkyMiles Auctions is an all-new program enhancement that provides SkyMiles members with a new and exciting way to redeem miles. Members can use their miles to bid on vacation packages, unique events, merchandise, and much more.

Visit the new SkyMiles Auctions program now, and let the bidding begin!

Effective March 8, 2008, Big Sky Airlines will be ceasing all operations. Effective immediately, SkyMiles members may no longer make award travel reservations on Big Sky. SkyMiles members holding existing award travel reservations on Big Sky may redeposit or reissue for no fee. Big Sky Airlines has provided service to 14 cities in Montana, Washington and North Dakota.

PerkChoice is an all-new exclusive offering that lets you use your SkyMiles miles for one half of your trip and pay for the other half with cash. There are no time or date restrictions and all Northwest Airlines flights qualify.

Tickets can be purchased via nwa.com or by calling a SkyMiles reservations agent at 1-800-44-PERKS. >Learn more

SkyMiles members who have earned Platinum Elite or Gold Elite status for the 2008 program year may now request upgrade certificates for travel on Alaska Airlines beginning March 1, 2008. The certificates entitle you to confirm an upgrade in advance when traveling on full fare types.

When traveling on any fare type, simply present your Platinum Elite or Gold Elite card at any Alaska Airlines gate or check-in counter and request be placed on the First Class upgrade waitlist.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised that the country of the Philippines does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Therefore, effective January 26, 2008, Northwest Airlines has temporarily suspended its SkyMiles, passenger and baggage agreements with Cebu Pacific Airlines.

If you have any questions, please contact Northwest Reservations at 1-800-44-PERKS.

From January 1st through March 31st, Northwest Airlines will match all donations to Children’s Cancer Research Fund, our featured AirCares partner, up to 1,000,000 miles.

Children’s Cancer Research Fund has a focused and clearly defined goal - eradicating childhood cancer. The funds this nonprofit organization provides enable the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, a leading pediatric cancer research facility, to continue its pioneering efforts in the prevention, diagnoses, treatment and cure of childhood cancers. Learn more about how you can help Children’s Cancer Research Fund and our many other AirCares partners.