For the record, I called NWA and they said they couldn't help me. The reason being that a reservation even with a Confirmation number, if it does not have a ticket number it is only "courtesy hold". Also that tickets booked through a travel agent will require the travel agent to issue the ticket. They cannot issue a ticket number on this ticket and cannot even see the fare rules, price paid or anything having to do with this ticket.

Does this sound right? I'm not sure if the agent was entirely with it here?