I think that what UpgradeME is trying to say is that AA Gold is their first level (or tier) of their elite program. Continental's OnePass Gold is their second level (or tier) of their elite program.

A proper and more equal match of the two programs would be OnePass Silver would equal AAdvantage Gold.

(Now, debating whether those two are equal is a different story and one that is off-topic for this thread)