I am not sure what to think of this. The airline has offered free elite trials, free bumps to Gold, Everything Counts, and now the fee-based elite trial. This seems to be in line with the company philosophy that Preferred membership can be (initially) bought. However, those who participate in the elite trials (free or fee-based) must actually fly to retain the status past the initial 90 days. I see Silver as the level that many will be able to retain past the 90 days. Further complicating this is that this paid elite trial is advertised, whereas the free elite trial was not (that I am aware of), so this will attract more in the beginning.