what to expect

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Northwest Airlines Corp. and Delta Air Lines Inc. are looking to combine into the world's largest carrier. Some questions and answers on what travelers might see.

What happens to my frequent flier miles?

The short answer: Nothing, at least for now. The airlines say mileage balances and things like Elite flier status won't change. The airlines have not said what their frequent-flier rules will be after they combine. Northwest travelers can already redeem miles for Delta flights, and vice-versa.

What about my airline credit card?

There's no question the combined airline will continue to offer one. Airline executives said their agreements with their credit card partners both expire around the time they expect the deal to close, the end of the year, giving them a chance to combine them.

Will I see more flights or fewer?

They're cutting capacity - but say it's not because they're putting the two airlines together. But they're not planning to close any hubs, and there's very little overlap in their routes. The airlines claim they'll actually add thousands of city pairs.

I've heard some Northwest workers oppose this deal. Will that affect flights or service?

It's true that Northwest pilots and the union representing workers such as ticket agents and baggage handlers oppose it. However, no one is threatening a strike - and federal labor law makes it much harder for airline workers to strike.