If a platinum elite member makes a reward reservation for a non-elite, does the non-elite traveler have elite access?

Is it possible to call in to get a non-elite traveler to get silver elite status given to them if a flight will make them silver? This would be necessary so that the next flight after the flight that makes her elite she could enjoy elite access.

Just wondering because I've had both done, but it seems that phone agents have no idea what I'm talking about. Was I just lucky those many times?

Sort of not fun talking to agents about these things.