Ok...here's the deal. I went back to the Delta internal website to verify my information. In weight and balance situations on 30-60 seat aircraft...you can be involuntarily denied. But, you will be compensated either 2 or 400 Delta Dollars. You CAN'T be given cash for IDB in this situation. Also...in this situation...you were a Delta customer once your ticket was pushed to Delta. The agent was 100% wrong to send you back to NW. I've sent customers to other airlines here in CVG...and it just frosts my behind when they say..."nope you're not my customer, go back and talk to Delta". And as an afterthought...don't let an airline say they can't accept you without your bags. That's also a fallacy.
Here's some of the information:
Delta Dollar offer for INVOLs must be the same amount as offered to VOLs
Enter appropriate Delta Dollar compensation amount $200/$400 (INVOL cash amounts do not apply)
NEVER issue cash/check compensation for weight-and-balance related denied boarding on 30-60 seat aircraft. Only issue Delta Dollars.