It looks like things are back to where they started. Northwest and MCI were partners back in 1988 and, after a bout with Sprint as a telephone partner, Northwest is returning to MCI. Now, if you are already a Sprint customer earning WorldPerks miles — have no fear, you can continue to earn miles for many months into the future. But if you’re looking for another quick sign-up bonus, then you can move from Sprint to MCI today and earn 2,000 bonus miles (actually there may be other, more lucrative, sign-up bonuses depending on which mailing you receive, but this is standard, published bonus).

WARNING: Here’s our advice for current Sprint customers. Stay with Sprint for two reasons. First of all, Sprint gives WorldPerks elite members a chance to earn seven miles per dollar spent on long distance, MCI only gives five miles per dollar spent. Also, with Sprint you can earn bonus miles with its cellular PCS phone. MCI doesn’t offer cellular service, so Northwest has partnered with Nextel. You don’t earn bonus miles for your cellular service with Nextel, only a sign-up bonus. Nextel is more expensive on a monthly basis than Sprint PCS, so whatever you do, look before you leap — we’re staying with Sprint until the very end. It’s a better mileage deal and besides, the MCI sign-up bonus will still be there. But if you really need to change, call (800) 356-1621 or go to http://www.nwa.com/freqfly/earn/telec.shtml.