I was short 4200 miles and was able to be bumped into silver elite for the first time this year. My account still says "OnePass Elite Level: Non-Elite" but I recieved the following email on 12/30/09:
Congratulations! You have been upgraded to Silver as of January 1, 2010.
We recognize your loyalty and have made your Elite benefits and privileges effective with the new year. You may print a temporary Elite card online. Please visit
www.continental.com and from the “My Account” page, click “Print Duplicate OnePass Card.” For help with reservations you may contact the Elite Priority Line at 866-ELITE-CO (866-354-8326).
Your temporary Elite card will be valid through February 2010. You will receive a new Elite card in February 2010 that will be valid through February 2011.
Please visit our Web site:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...e/default.aspx for complete details about the Elite program. Here you will find how to maintain your Elite status and the many exciting benefits of being a Continental Airlines Silver Elite member. If you are new to OnePass, please visit our Web site:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...s/default.aspx for complete details about the OnePass program.
We are honored that you have selected Continental as your carrier of choice.
There were numerous people confirming that CO was bumping people within 5k of the next elite status and I called in to make sure I could be bumped. I had 1 last trip over Christmas to get over the 20k hump and the rep told me to call in after the last trip posted and they would bump me.
After the trip posted, I called back in and told them I'd like to be bumped, but a different rep told me that wasn't possible. I told them I had already spoken to somebody about it and was told to call in after my last trip posted. She said that the promotion was canceled and was no longer in effect so I hung up and called back.
I told the 2nd rep the same thing and she happily bumped me to silver without any issues. I think the reps here have some leeway on giving out status, but I think the main thing was that I had already spoken to a csr that already said it was okay.