I know I am going to get flamed for this but here goes. I do not think that CO should advance Elite status to anyone. It is hard enough getting upgrades, which in my opinion is the number one reason for getting the status Most of us who are at whatever status have had to sit in the seat to get to said status. If for example, someone with 23K miles calls and asked to be advance and CO did agree then, said quasi nonelite buys a fare higher than another actaul silver elite (who purchases a lower fare class) who has rightfully earned the upgrade. The actual silver elite would not get the upgrade.