When I booked a trip through the website on Friday, I used the "Seat Pinpointer" to request seating in 5F for all my segments.

This afternoon, I checked the website and my seat assignments have been kicked out. I tried to re-select them but the system wouldn't accept them.

I called and was told TWICE by different agents that those seats are now held ONLY for airport release and that Elites may not request them in advance. I had a similar response a few weeks ago, but I got the automated upgrade that time and it was a moot point.

The best seats available for pre-assignment was 14E (middle seat) on one segment, no seats available on two others and 18A on another. This is despite the first few rows of coach showing availability on the seat maps.

The 2001 Elite Benefits Guide states that "WorldPerks Elite members may take advantage of Select Seating preferences on all Northwest and KLM flights that offer advance seat assignments. The Select Seating benefit allows you to choose where you'd like to sit in Coach Class, such as a quiet, low-traffic area close to the front of the cabin." However, the agents just say that it applies to airport check-in only and not to advance seat reservation.

Has anyone had any success requesting these seats in advance lately?

I had the same problem when I booked a flight on Continental's website as a NW gold. Initially the computer let me book seats up front and even showed confirmation after I completed the purchase. When I went to check the next day at "my itineraries", all my seat assignments were "airport checkin". It seems the CO computer would not recognize my NW gold status. Yet, 48 hours before the first flight I was upgraded, but it still kept losing my preferred other flight seats. When flying on CO, be sure and call the reservations line to confirm your seats and get preferred seating.

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Last week, I was using NWA's wbesite to book, and now they have the little international handicapped symbol over most or all of those bulkhead seats in the seat pinpointer...

Could this have anything to do with it?

I know that's frustrating. Which is why I don't even bother to pick my seats on the web. I just get the ticket, then call up NW on the phone. Never had any problems getting exit row/bulkhead/etc. from a live agent. (If they were not already booked, of course.)

It could be a glitch in the system. If it happens again, send an email with the confirmation number, your elite number, the seats you were trying to get and any other pertinent information to the [email protected]

It IS a glitch in the system. The EUA system did not pick me up for the automatic upgrades either, and the agents who tried to manually assign me seats in First Class also had them kicked back.

I now have to go down to the airport early and standby for the upgrades. Fortunately the flights are wide open and things should work out ok.