Lifetime elite status, also known as Infinite Elite status, was offered in the '90s to help CO retain passengers during their bankruptcy years. OnePass members who qualified for Gold Elite for 5 consecutive years were given Infinite Elite status. The last year you could qualify for Infinite Elite was in 1997. Infinites were moved up to Platinum status when that status was created in 1999. These elites still maintain their lifetime Platinum status level today and going forward.
Per
Continental records, as of June 21, 2006 there were 4,952 Infinite Elites of which 3,819 (approx. 77%) had taken a flight in the past 12 months.
In June 2008 Continental introduced a new Million Miler/Lifetime Elite program, opening back up the ability to qualify for lifetime status based on historical miles flown. The details were announced by
CO Insider in
this thread. Here are some of the salient points:
You'll always be an Elite. As a Continental Airlines OnePass member, if you have flown over one million Lifetime Flight Miles, we want to welcome you to our new Million Miler program. As part of this program, we'll see to it that you will never lose your Elite status, even if you fly less in the future.
- As a Million Miler, your Elite status will never fall below our Silver Elite level.
- As a Two Million Miler, you will never fall below our Gold Elite level.
- As a Four Million Miler, our highest honor, you will always be a Presidential Platinum Elite.
So will your spouse or significant other. As a Million Miler you will also be able to invite your spouse or significant other residing at your same address to share your Elite status and enjoy the same benefits as you, including upgrades, mileage bonuses and EliteAccess airport services. This membership is non-transferable and will automatically renew each year unless you let us know otherwise.
Below is a recap of some of your most frequently asked questions:
- What are Lifetime Flight Miles? Lifetime Flight Miles include any mileage that count toward Elite status, otherwise known as “Elite Qualification Miles.” For flight miles that were earned before the introduction of Elite Qualification Miles, we have calculated the flight miles you earned. Lifetime Flight Miles are based on cumulative flight miles in the OnePass program and do not include bonus, purchased or other non-flight miles.
- How far back does the Lifetime Flight Mile calculation go? The Lifetime Flight Mile calculation includes all flight miles earned since the introduction of OnePass. As a bonus, for those of you who were members of the original Continental Travel Bank Frequent Flyer program (from the 1980s) and/or the Eastern Airlines Frequent Flight Bonus program, we have also included the mileage balance from these accounts based on the date they were merged into the OnePass program. (this is the best information that we have access to)
- If I have reached a Million Miler level, will I receive anything in the mail? Yes. If you are a Million Miler, you will receive a small token of appreciation from us in the mail, including a new Elite card with your Million Miler designation and a personalized luggage tag. These will begin mailing in August 2008. If you reach a Million Miler level after August 2008, you will receive your mailing within 3-4 weeks of qualification.
- If I have reached a Million Miler level, when can I call to enroll my spouse or significant to have my same Elite status? If your Lifetime Flight Mile balance is one million miles or more, you are considered a Million Miler and may contact the OnePass Service Center to request your companion Elite status. You can do this even if you have not yet received anything in the mail from us. For members residing within the 50 United States and Canada, please call 713.952.1630 (Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Time). For all other members, please use of our worldwide OnePass contact numbers.
- Will my companion’s Elite status be exactly the same as mine? Yes.
- Can I change the designation of my companion Elite status? Yes, but it any changes you make will not take effect until the following Elite year (which begins March 1st of each year).
- When I reach the next Million Miler level (e.g. Two Million Miler), do I get to designate an additional Elite companion? No, we will only allow one Elite companion per Million Miler, Two Million Miler or Four Million Miler member.
- Will Elite Qualification Mile bonuses count? Yes.
- Will Elite Qualification Miles earned by flying on partner airlines count? Yes.
- Will Flexible Elite Qualification Miles count? Yes, any flexible Elite Qualification Miles you deposit into your account will count. Currently, Flexible Elite Qualification Miles may only be earned and redeemed by Continental Airlines Presidential Plus cardmembers.
- Can I see the detail of my Lifetime Flight Miles? No. We do not currently have the ability to furnish this level of detail.