As a CO platinum elite I upgraded for the first time on a NW flight. The CO agent was able to put thru the first class request, but when I called NW to double check and get my seat assignments I was put on hold at 8:30 am on a Wednesday morning for over 30 minutes(I finally hung up). I then called back and used the "international tickets" prompt and my wait was reduced to about 2 minutes! As another idea, often when I know there will be a long wait on the 800 number, I will call information for some obscure small city used by the airline and call them direct. They have the same computers, and I have never been questioned as to why I am not using the 800 line.