So I finally made elite status...now what?
Nov 5, 2009, 3:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
So I finally made elite status...now what?
Finally got to silver elite. Anyone have a quick rundown on the riches about to be bestowed on me?
Nov 5, 2009, 3:40 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
some free baggage, priority baggage, checkin and security on CO only. not much for alliance partners. Oh yes, about a 5% chance of upgrade on domestic routes overall, significantly increase your chances if you pick routes strategically.
Nov 5, 2009, 3:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
Key benefit is early boarding (overhead space still available) and seat choices. An occasional upgrade is a bonus. And the elite call-in number usually gets you to an OK agent.
Nov 5, 2009, 3:44 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Upgrades are, as I'm sure they are with most folks, what I'm most interested in. Any tips on what to do or how to maximize my chances? I almost always fly out of Sacramento to Houston and connect from there.
Nov 5, 2009, 3:53 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
With DEQM twice this year, there are a lot of silvers, some of them don't fly much so you don't really fight with them unless you both are not flying much, at the same time
Nov 5, 2009, 3:55 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
SMF-IAH is relatively easy. Chances are better on off-peak days/times and on planes with larger F cabins.
Nov 5, 2009, 4:22 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Does Continental mail out a "elite features" pamphlet or anything along with the card (or do they even give you a card anymore)? I'm just not clear on how the whole upgrades request works and their web site is fairly terrible.
Nov 5, 2009, 4:29 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
You'll get a similar such pamphlet with your card in the mail.
You do nothing for the upgrades. Just sit back, and if they come through, they come through. You could agonize over it and obsessively watch the online upgrade lists like most of us do, but it won't help your blood pressure.
Nov 5, 2009, 5:01 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: A shadow of my former self
Posts: 928
Our OP fella ought to become best friends with pda.continental.com on his iPhone, Blackberry, or other portable electronic device -- anything that transmits or receives a signal. Then he can watch as his upgrade chances evaporate.
David
David
Nov 5, 2009, 6:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, SPG PLT, Marriott PLT, Hertz PC,National EE
Posts: 466
Like people said, the website covers roughly what continental will give you, but I think the most valuble feature you get is instant upgrades to 1st from Y an B fares. You'll trump platinums etc. with that...the problem is you're looking at $1000 tickets, so you kinda earned that upgrade. If it's for business, great...if it's personal well...you probably aren't buying that many super high end tickets.
Like someone said above. pda.continental.com is really useful. Go there before your flight and you can see how far down the list you are for getting upgraded. In all liklihood, this will depress you more than anything, but it at least helps you temper expectations
Like someone said above. pda.continental.com is really useful. Go there before your flight and you can see how far down the list you are for getting upgraded. In all liklihood, this will depress you more than anything, but it at least helps you temper expectations
Nov 5, 2009, 6:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: CO non-elite, Marriott Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,621
Since the OP is new to CO, it's worth pointing out that the same information is on the regular continental.com website under flight status. The PDA is very convenient from your mobile device, however. ^
Nov 5, 2009, 7:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
Nov 6, 2009, 7:16 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SE Texas
Programs: Continental One Pass Platinum; HHonors Gold
Posts: 4
SAC does have a red-eye flight to IAH. Leaves about midnight CA time and arrives in Houston about 6 am local. Me and my coworkers have taken it a couple of times. Upgrade success on it has been nearly 100%...but most of us are plat or gold. As a silver best benefit is early boarding IMHO.
Nov 6, 2009, 9:28 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Silver
Posts: 47
Funny that you mention, I actually got a silver upgrade on EWR-MCO about two weeks ago and I think I was #2 on the list with 11 open seats ... LOVED IT
Nov 6, 2009, 2:42 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
Good! That's a painful flight to do in the back. In the nursery school that CO calls Coach, there is usually a mixture in the air of dirty diapars and baby formula which pairs perfectly with the screaming and crying all around you.