I've been a Platinum Elite for 5 years now, and I've found that rarely do they bend the rules and open up WBC seats that weren't available.

For example, last March I called to get WBC to BKK from ORD. I called at the first available days and ended up with ORD-MSP-LAX(NW)-KUL-HKT(MH) & BKK-NRT-SEA-MSP-ORD(NW). Nothing was available on the direct flights NRT-MSP or DTW, and they could only book me in COACH on the domestic portions BOTH ways, no rule bending.

In July MH discontinued the evening flight to HKT from KUL, so now I am booked LAX-KUL-BKK on MH, and they still wouldn't switch me to first on the domestic portions, even though as a Platinum I would no doubt get the upgrade anyway.

So, in my frustration I called AA, even thought it was now only 7 months in advance of departure. Well, AA got me the exact dates that I wanted (weekends) on AA & CX with no problem, and everyone says flying on CX will be 5 times better than NW.

Because of this, I'm switching to AA. I certainly haven't had many rules bent for me as a Platinum Elite for the last 5 years.