It's probably too late, but you can always photocopy your NW Elite credentials, compose a cover letter, and FAX/mail it off to some random person in the corporate office (dig into the website for a corporate contact name) or Flightfund. I have leveraged elite status for years by doing this with a variety of elite combos.

Yes, it's most likely that nothing will happen, but you could end up being comped Silver Elite on HP. Planes are so full these days that upgrades may not be in the cards, but then again, you never know.

Also, as long as you aren't flying on the ancient 737s and 757s, the flights are generally comfortable.