You will need a calculator, but if you really want to reach Gold Elite status on Continental once in your life, you should consider flying to far places at non-peak times. Calculate the number of miles you will need to reach elite status. If you are far away, I find that a long ride from Newark to Hong Kong (HKG) (R/T) gets me a little over 16,000 miles, although my sanity really drops around hour 14 of this flight. In the past I have purchased this flight for as little as $750 via continental.com, you may want to consider getting the continental credit card, before making this purchase as I believe you get 5% off the purchase which should cover the annual fee for the year. you may also want to consider getting a privilage pack and using the $100 off coupon inside on the fare.

Alternatively you can also take the roundabout way to getting to places, like if you were considering flying to Vancouver, BC, then fly out of LGA instead of EWR. It will most likely be cheaper and via Houston, so you will earn more miles by taking the long way around.

Once you get close to the 50,000 miles you could just start taking continentals weekend specials which will earn you a minimum of 1,000 miles when flying round trip.

As a traveller, I personally, do not think gold elite status is worth this trouble. I am currently gold on Continental and it is just due to normal flying. As a stockholder in Continental, I encourage you to fly as much as possible and go for that elite status!

Hope this helps.

- Cwipes