I'd like to know where you read what you say you read! I don't think Elite status has anything to do with EQM's earned on cheaper classes of tickets. CO, I think, only pays 100% EQM on cheap tix to CO OnePass members and AF cheap ticket EQM's were reduced a couple of years ago. I had a situation with 2 AF cheaper tickets, but it was cleared up when they postponed the date of the reduced EQM's. I wrote NW a letter and my response was that AF will not allow NW to pay more miles on AF tix than KL/Flying Blue members earn on AF tix.

AF mileage earnings are here:
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/earn/a...html#airfrance

CO mileage earnings are here:
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/earn/a...ml#continental