CO just sent my dad an offer to purchase Silver Elite for only $200.. He won't need it, I already convinced him to switch to AA after explaining the new upgrade policy for international destinations. Like me, he didn't think it was worth the effort to accumulate any CO miles if we can't use them to upgrade to BF. It's not worth it !

Oh, I thought the Starwood card is the only Amex card that grants gold for the first year and $39/year afterwards. You can actually obtain SPG Gold status for free if you have a Platinum charge card.
As a Platinum member, you'll keep SPG Gold as long you remain a Plat. cardholder, while Centurion grants SPG Platinum..

[This message has been edited by eperaltaotero (edited 03-07-2002).]