Very quietly, Northwest WorldPerks has announced that U.S. military reservists and National Guardsmen called to active duty this year will have their elite status extended through 2004. The move, coinciding with a massive U.S. military build-up in the Middle East, will ensure that reservists will not be penalized for serving their nation.

Reservists spend most of their year in “regular” civilian jobs, reporting for training one weekend a month, and two weeks a year. When called to active duty, they must leave their civilian jobs and become, for all intents and purposes, active, full-time military.

For some this means a severe reduction of their normal business travel, and by extension, the opportunity to earn or preserve elite status. This recognition will extend their 2003 Elite status through the 2004 program year ending February 28, 2005.

Qualifying WorldPerks Elite members should fax their Activation/Mobilization or Deployment notices, along with their WorldPerks number, to (218) 254-7566.

We applaud Northwest for this bold step, and hope to see other airlines follow suit.