[QUOTE=XStAnt]I have to say his "experiment" regarding seat availability was not a valid test for elite benefits. I don't know any FF program that gives elites a different choice of seats than a non-elite flyer. Airlines want to sell seats and if they have one available they'll sell it to anyone. Hasn't that always been the case?

Northwest Airlines does give better seat access to reward seats for elites, and even better access for Platinum elites. It even tells you as much when you search for reward seats saying something like, you may get better results if you login to your account.

Back when I worked there, there was a specific program that gave platinum elites (maybe lower level too, i don't remember) much better access to certain holiday destinations such as Hawaii, and I believe this was expanded to North Atlantic flights.