I've got two unrelated questions about FB Elite Benefits, particularly for those elite members based in the US:

1. NW Upgrades: I just noticed recently that the FB web site says that elite members based in the US or Mexico are EXCLUDED from this benefit. Is this true? I was under the impression that all FB elite members are eligible for free, space-available domestic upgrades on NW. Who's right, me or the web site? And has there been a recent change in this policy?

2. Lounge policy: I know this is a frequent topic of discussion on FlyerTalk, and I've searched around, but I'm still unclear on when Gold/Platinum members can access the lounges. I'm pretty sure that all Golds/Plats (plus one guest) can use them if they're traveling on a same-day international AF/KL/Skyteam flight, but what about domestic Skyteam flights? If I'm traveling on a domestic Skyteam flight through an airport with an AF/KL lounge, could I access it as a Gold/Plat? Do the lounge dragons check for these things?

Thanks for any info you all might be able to shed on these topics.

At least on 2. you get NW WC lounge access anytime when flying NW even on purely-domestic flights.

I'm pretty sure that the rules are indeed different for USA & Mexico based FB members. For them Gold is equal to Sky Team Elite, not Elite Plus. It is only Elite Plus which gives SkyTeam lounge access when flying in Y on any Skyteam carrier. US-based Gold gets you access to any KLM or Air France lounge when flying on any SkyTeam airline. Eg. departing Amsterdam on DL in Y you can still enter the KLM lounge, but departing JFK on DL to Amsterdam you will not get access to Delta's lounge.

Don't know about your first question, but I would guess that you are on the list after NW/KL platinum and non-US golds, but before silvers.

Any ST Elites and Elites+ (not only FB) also get access to lounges on domestic SU flights.