(Mods - forgot to put a question mark in title)

Maybe it's just a mis-print on Continental.com since the 'Insider' posts about hte cards haven't mentioned, but reading the upgrade priority details makes it seem like within elite status and fare class, having or not having one of the CO/UA credit cards is a tie breaker, before time of ticketing.

Maybe they meant to make a reference to the reward ticket upgrades but didn't do it properly when it made it to the site.

But then...Delta gives their Reserve card holders priority in upgrade lists so not entirely impossible. Clarification?

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx

Priority for First Class/Business Class Elite upgrades is determined by:

Full Fare Economy Y Allows all Elite members to upgrade at the time of ticketing when a seat is available on eligible flights operated by Continental

Discount Full Fare Economy B and Platinum Elite Members in M Allows all Elite members to upgrade at the time of ticketing, subject to capacity controls, on eligible flights operated by Continental

Elite level: Members are prioritized according to their Elite level — Platinum, Gold and then Silver. When traveling with other Elite members or non-Elite members, Elite members should purchase their flight on a separate itinerary.

Restricted and Reward fare classes: Reward upgrades are only processed for Elite members who are a primary credit cardmember with one of the Chase issued cards listed below.

Upgrade priority within Elite level will be based on fare class purchased. The fare class structure in priority order is as follows: M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N and reward travel*.

OnePass Plus
Presidential Plus
World Card for Business
Presidential Plus for Business
MileagePlus Explorer
MileagePlus Explorer for Business

Ticketing date/time: All else being equal, the sooner Elite members ticket their itinerary, the better their upgrade chances.

Check in time: If your upgrade is processed from the standby upgrade list at the airport, check in time will be used in place of booking date/time.

*This benefit is for Elite members holding a OnePass Plus, Presidential Plus, World Card for Business, Presidential Plus for Business, MileagePlus Explorer, or MileagePlus Explorer for Business card only and not their companion traveling on a reward ticket. Eligible companions of the Elite member traveling on the same itinerary on a revenue ticket will be eligible for complimentary upgrades. Reward upgrades not eligible on Copa or Copa Columbia airlines operated flights.