I have the plain ol' Continental Airlines Mastercard (the "$85" card if that helps).

I am aware that these cards will be auto-converted to the United Explorer card. After the big systems conversion last weekend, I noticed on the Chase site that my Continental card was now branded as a "United MileagePlus Explorer" card.

Phoned Chase on Tuesday 3/6 to request a replacement card due to wear and tear, hoping to get a spankin' new Explorer card. But instead of sending me the United Explorer card, I was sent the plain ol' Continental card.


Does anyone have any clue when existing Continental MC holders will get the Explorer card?
For this presumably large conversion, any clue how they're staging it?
(Alphabetically? Geographically? VIP spenders first?)


The reason I want the United Explorer card so soon is,
I have a R/T to Newark on legacy Continental in about 4 weeks, and having the Explorer card will more seamlessly waive the checked bag fee and get me priority boarding.
I believe the checked bag fee waiver is a benefit of my Continental MC, but I'd rather not have to debate this with a check-in agent.