If NW is like Continental, it's not likely that they'll grant your request since Continental is a NW partner. I was in the same situation last month when I considered switching my loyalty to Continental. At the time, I was Platinum with NW and asked if Continental would match that status if I started giving them my business. The response that I received was that since NW was a partner airline, Continental would NOT give me the same status in the One Pass program. The thing I find interesting is that if I were an elite member on any other airline, they would have given me Platinum. The only thing you can do is ask NW and see what they say. Good luck!