One thing to consider is that NW also offers SWUs. In 2007 you could earn 2 SWUs at 120k miles and another 2 SWUs at 160k. (2008 program rules are being released on 1/17, but it is believed that it will get better not worse, with additional earnings past 160k). These SWUs book into C class for international (which is slightly discounted business class, but not full discounted business class, so availability is very good) and can be used with a ticket in any fare class, not just Y/B/M. They are good on NW transpac and NW/KL trans-atlantic flights (and also NW domestic, but why you would waste it there I have no idea).

You can usually find a CO fare that will earn you 100% to NW without paying much more, and if you're doing business travel I can't imagine it being a problem. As for INTL award tickets, NW sets aside additional availability for elites (and I believe even more for platinums).

As a NW elite, as said before, you get upgrades on NW and CO (and also AS), as well as 100%/150% miles on DL. One other thing is that both NW and CO give 125% bonus to plat, whereas DL only gives 100% bonus to plat for earning miles (RDM not qualifying miles).

So, I wouldn't discount NW. You might also consider flying NW as well, depending on your routing (especially if you are going to have a stop anyways, but if most of your flights are direct from EWR/JFK, then whatever's convenient...)