Someone I know was a OnePass non-elite member and flies CO about 4 times a year on discounted coach tickets from IAH. A couple of months ago, he got an unsolicited offer in the mail that allowed him to pay something on the order of $200 and be granted Silver Elite status. He took the offer. It sounded similar to the offer that they give previous Elite members who didn't requalify, but this member had never held Elite status before. Perhaps you can ask to be invited to particpate in this offer.