E-Ticket usage at Northwest Airlines reaches 80% - Carrier to increase paper ticket surcharge

Northwest Airlines yesterday announced that domestic usage of electronic tickets by its customers reached an all-time high of 80% during July, as the airline continues its push toward phasing out paper tickets.

"A record number of Northwest customers are taking advantage of the speed, convenience and efficiency that only e-tickets can offer," said Al Lenza, vice president of distribution and e-commerce. "Additionally, regardless of where the e-ticket was purchased, travelers using e-tickets can take advantage of an array of online services at nwa.com, from check-in to changing their travel plans."

E-tickets are a gateway to an array of customer conveniences including:

· Self-service check-in from home or work at nwa.com or one of Northwest's more than 300 E-Service Centers throughout the North America system.

· Exchanging tickets or applying for refunds online at nwa.com.

· Paying administrative change fees at nwa.com or a Northwest E-Service Center.

· Checking fares, schedules, booking and ticketing travel in just one stop via telephone or at nwa.com.

· Not worrying about picking up, carrying or losing paper tickets.

· No pre-paid ticket fees for customers wishing to pay for another traveler's ticket.

Northwest has added several "interline" e-ticketing partners, enabling the use of a single electronic ticket on more than one airline. The carrier now has interline capabilities with American Airlines, United Airlines and Continental Airlines, and will implement additional interline partnerships with Delta Air Lines, as well as other carriers, later this year. 

Paper Ticket Surcharge Increases

Northwest also announced that effective immediately, in markets where electronic ticketing is available, it is increasing the paper ticket surcharge for customers on leisure fares and WorldPerks frequent flier award program tickets from $10 to $25. In addition, the fee to convert existing e-tickets priced at leisure fares or WorldPerks free tickets into paper will also increase from $10 to $25.

Since June, in markets where e-tickets were available, paper tickets for travel on Northwest have included a $10 surcharge. Conversion of existing e-tickets into paper tickets at the customer's request also included the same $10 surcharge.

The $25 surcharge will not apply to customers flying on business fares. Customers flying on business fares booked in the P, F, J, C, Y and B fare booking codes will continue to have the option of either paper or electronic tickets at no additional cost. 

In Canada and Northwest points of sale in the Caribbean, the surcharge will be based on the exchange rate equivalent to USD $25 at the time of ticketing. The surcharge will apply to tickets purchased at leisure fares directly from Northwest Airlines through its airport and city ticket offices and reservations centers. 

Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam and more than 1,700 daily departures. With its travel partners, Northwest serves nearly 750 cities in almost 120 countries on six continents.