Originally Posted by Quip
In a nut-shell, when you are able to check-in online at NW (30 hours out) any unused elite seating becomes available to non-elites checking in, I'm wondering whether Delta releases their elite seats as well at check-in?
As far as I know The Duck is correct is saying, "I don't believe that Delta has a similar "30 hour release" rule as NW, and thus the open elite seats are going to appear occupied on the web to the departure and will only be assigned to those non-elite paxes who have "seat request" confirmation (or perhaps request elite seats at the gate?)."
Admittedly it has been a while since I haven't been an elite, but I have never heard anything that conflicts with the above wisdom. If you have a flight(s)you want me to check, feel free to PM me and I can check whether there are seats available to elites. Assuming there are seats available, perhaps a call to the reservations folks with a specific seat number request will help? Just a thought.