Just got my "It's official" e-mail from NWA
 

Will NWA bump the price of an FF ticket to Europe up to 60,000 like Delta?

>>>We are excited to announce that Northwest Airlines is now a part of Delta!

For you, this means it's business as usual right now, as we combine to create a premier global airline with a leading presence in the world's major markets and a best-in-class loyalty program.

Rest assured that there is no change to your WorldPerks miles or your program status. And, you should continue to:
Purchase tickets and modify existing reservations as you've always done via nwa.com or NWA Reservations at 1-800-225-2525
Check in, check baggage and do business directly with the airline you are flying just as you did before the merger
Earn WorldPerks miles as usual with Northwest and our Mileage Partners
Redeem WorldPerks miles for award ticket travel, PerkChoice Cash and Miles award tickets, and items on WorldPerks Auctions
Enjoy uninterrupted access to WorldClubs
And if you become a WorldPerks Elite member, you will enjoy complimentary upgrades when flying Delta. It's just one of the many WorldPerks advantages you'll enjoy as we work to combine our programs in a smooth and seamless manner, while providing the exceptional service you know and expect.

As always, our #1 priority is to get you to your destination safely, on time and with world-class customer service. Please visit nwa.com for more merger information.

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support.

Richard Anderson
Chief Executive Officer - Delta Air Lines

Hello kyboubon, I just received the same email. I sort of read through it quickly. I don't know the answer to you question. I will read the email better tomorrow.

Wish I felt as "excited" as Delta is, lol.

I think Cincinnati's and Memphis' days as hubs are numbered.

Why would you think that? Cincy is a major hub for Delta. My Delta email arrived about 30 minutes after NWA.

CVG is too close to Northwest's megahub in Detroit; Memphis is too close to Delta's megahub in Atlanta. It wouldn't make sense to maintain the much-smaller hubs at CVG and MEM.

I received these as well. Does anyone know if World Perks and SkyMiles will be combined. For example, if I have 100k World Perks miles and 160k SkyMiles, will I eventually have 260k SkyMiles?

As to MEM and CVG, I tend to agree with Marty. The purpose of any merger is supposedly economy of scale. Even if they don't totally eliminate both but only downsize, I think at least one will effectively be gone.

mjz,
Yes, they will be combining the programs (by the end of 2009) and miles will be on a one-to-one basis. So you will end up with 260k SomethingMiles.

I don't think both CVG and MEM will be eliminated, maybe one of them. The survivor may be in a different role, maybe offloading some of the load from the megahubs of ATL and DTW?

Also, Merger FAQ from Delta at http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/merger/index.jsp

In an article in the local newspaper where I am visiting, domestic fares are discussed as being the highest in 13 years."The highest average fares were paid by passengers flying out of CVG."These figures were compiled by DOT.Next highest was GSP.

>>>>>"The highest average fares were paid by passengers flying out of CVG."<<<<
To me, that's a reason to maintain CVG as a hub. Delta is making more money off of those passengers. People in Cincy won't drive to Detroit for a flight, they will go to IND or SDF and fly AA or maybe Southwest.

CVG and MEM are down to mainly RJ hubs anyways, with only about 40 mainline departures by DL and NW respectively at those airports.

Yes, passengers in each will lose a bunch of RJ non-stops; but fares will also come down when other airlines increase flights after DL dehubs.

Just got an email from MLT Vacations.They are estimating a complete integration will take 12-24 months.They are now a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta.

Check out this thread on a.nut:

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/4197688

Total DL departures at CVG to be under 280 by next April (down from 380 of 4/09). Under 40 mainline departures.