one pass
 

continental is now offering sliver elite for purchase at $ 375.00, good or bad deal?

Hi and welcome to FT!

Whether or not that is a good deal depends on your usage.

Just want the "elite benefits" like priority boarding, waived baggage fees, elite security line, elite check-in?

Well then, for the same $375 you can a the CO Pres Plus MasterCard and get all that....plus a President's Club Membership, miles for purchases and FlexEQS.

Do you want up-grades? Silver might oyu get you one or two ...maybe more if you fly in non-elite markets....but it ain't gonna be a whole buch.

Looking for bonus miles from flying? The bonus from silver is pretty small....not gonna get you a ton.

For me the big benefit from being elite versus just having " elite access" is the ability to buy-up to first on B-fare.

I'm guessing this is what the $375 covers. ;)

What do you mean?

A silver elite on a B fare can upgrade into ZE inventory at the time of booking. Someone with the PPlus CC only gets the EliteAccess benefits so they don't get the upgrades.

Elites can purchase specific more expensive coach fares that (speace availiable) allow for automatic upgrade at time of purchase.

For Silvers and Golds "B" and above qualify. For platinums, "M" is also an insta-up fare.

On a recent check from CLE-LAS the "cheapo" fare was $326 while the B fare was $700 (or so) ....if I chose the B-fare I would be able to UG at time of purchase rahter than wait and hope for the u/g (which I amy or may not get...likely not) with with the cheapo.

This is not an potion avaiable if you jsut have "elite access"

ok thanks...so for me, a tall guy that wants upgrades only, this might be a good idea? i.e. I get access to more upgrades as a Silver via miles AND I can buy up less expensively??? I think I got it! THX

Yes.....with the caveat that "acces to more upgrades as a silver" has mixed meaning. It is likely that you will get few if any (ymmv) automatic upgrades through the EAU process. But if you are willing to spend the $$ at time of purchase you are good to go :)

Wasn't someone b*tching about how UA sells it's elite service ala carte?

Isn't it April Fools Day...

Yes, but the above referenced offer is something that has been documented previously. :-:

There is a whole combination of fares available between B/Y and the cheapo W, E, S, T, N or L fares. There are pecking orders. The costs are in between. Often, a cheapo First or Biz class is cheaper than B/Y-fare. Depending on where you fly and when, booking First/Biz on outbound or return but not both works to the u/g advantages.
Where is this deal? If it is a head start to gold elite, etc, it could get very interesting.
I don't believe that the cc brings advantages for standby pecking orders on any *A carrier. How about *A lounges (not all elites get that)?

somehow I dont think it will work as a 25k headstart to gold.