Thanks for the tips. I figured they may be for Platinum members only but usually the agents at the Presidents club in Neward are pretty leaninet (sp?) Anyway, I'll let you guys know if it works.

OK Merry, I have checked with CO here in Houston and your letter was actually mailed in 1997, written in "lemon juice" ink and passed through a very warm place before being received by the post in London for expeditious delivery to your home. Obviously, your letter was written before CO decided to "practically" make everyone Platinum with "smoke and mirrors".

Here's how it's done, drop Bronze and "silver plate" all Bronze members, thereby turning their Bronze cards blue. Since Bronze is now blue and Silver is also blue,
something had to be done with Silver, so CO "Gold plated" the blue Silver card. But wait, that enraged the "toters" of real Gold cards. They "ranted, raved, cursed, and sent very nasty e-mails" to CO. CO was in a predicament. They had to do something for the "Toters of Real Gold". So, they decided to replace all those "real" Gold cards with authentic Platinum and allow the "Gold Guys" to present the perception that they were the "Elite of the Elite". Then, CO added this ficticious 90 segment, 75,000 mile,(which no one had to make), qualifier for the very valuable Platinum and told everyone "how great it was going to be". And, "lo and behold", everyone believed it! But, CO discovered that a few "soreheads" were still in existance. So, to eliminate "any" disappointments in its' OnePass Program, and to get everyone to vote for OnePass for the Freddie winner once again, CO sent almost ALL their members an invitation to become the "next" Elite Level by simply paying $150, a modest sum to the "Toter" of an imitation color plastic card. One could even charge the amount to the "Chase Visa" and receive FF miles. What a deal! Everyone immediately took the bait, swallowed the hook, and NOW, all "Million +" in the whole OnePass program is Platinum.

...then they'll just give you your elite credentials with your birth certificate....

[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 02-26-99).]

Jaws,

I was bronze last year, and thus was made Silver accourding to the program rules this year. (It's esentially the same thing; still the lowest level) I never received anything from CO saying that I can upgrade to GOLD for $150. How would I do this? I called the service center today and they said they are not aware of it (or maybe I don't qualify). Let me know if there is something else to try.

MilesandPoints,

In order to be eligible for the buy up, you must have previously qualified for a level higher than Bronze (i.e. in 1998 you were either a Silver or a Gold). The program is for members who for some reason did not reach their prior status for 1999. So, Continental selectively sends mailers to members advising them of this program based on miles flown in 1997, average fare paid, etc. Also, you must have flown the actual required mileage in 1997 to reach your status in 1998. If you were bumped up (either via the buy-up or as a courtesy because you were within 500-1000 miles of qualifying), then you are not eligible for the buy up this year.

So, the short answer is that since you qualified for the same level in 1999 as you were in 1998, then there is nothing for you to buy up to.

Regards,
RChavez

Thanks for the info.

Thanks RChavez for the answer. JAWs has been offline this weekend anbd couldn't get to it. When "buyups" are proposed by CO, one can only "buyup" one level, if they give you the opportunity. As for the $150, that's just a number, it really could be from $0 to $whatever. CO allowed me to buyup to Gold once and I did it because I thought it would make my 5th consecutive year of Gold, so I could make Infinite Elite. But CO didn't count my buyup year and that's the only year I have missed since Infinite Elite was started. It is now discontinued and cannot be achieved anymore.

JAWS-
I wrote the Elite Desk about my "Infinite" status under similar conditions. I qualified for 5 consecutive years, but one of the years I qualified as Gold by segments only and the rules said that you had to qualify by minumum miles. I offered that in most of the 5+ Gold years that my mileage levels far exceeded the minimum and the customer service rep told me that she forwarded my information to the VP of Marketing, who maintains the list himself, since it it not that long. He wrote me in Jan/98 and told me that he agreed that even if I didn't "officially" qualify for one of the years, he would recognize my dedication to CO by allowing me Infinite status in 1999 if I obtained Gold in 1998. My "Infinite" status went into effect on 1/1/99. My point is that it is prudent to ask - all they can say is "No".
DAW

Thanks DuhWayne, I am going to do just that, and be persistent this time. We''l see what happens and, in "due time", I'll report it here.

My situation is similar to that of DuhWane, I had met the published requirements for Gold for 5 consecutive years except for 1994 (I was a few K short of qualifing and was given Gold anyway) After writing to Continental last year I received a letter from a VP in marketing saying that if I met the published requirements for Gold in 1998 I would be awarded Infinate Elite status. I qualified for Gold in September '98. Last week I received Platinum credentials for 1999. I called OnePass to inquire about my Infinite status and was told that there was nothing in my record about it. I guess that I have to write another letter!

I have been "infinite" for a number of years, but the qualification took 6 years because I missed the first year by a few thousand miles, and did a buy up to compensate. It happened the year of the Eastern strike, and I lost a lot of trips to florida. I, too, wrote a letter, asking that they consider not only the strike situation, but also the fact that in the qualifying years I had far exceeded the necessary miles, and probably had more total miles than some people who were getting "infinite" status. the response was "too bad", and I had to do the extra year. I told the company at the time that I would fly the 50,000 miles that last year, but not a mile more, and that I would take my business elsewhere once I got the thing. since getting "infinite", I fly fewer than 10,000 miles a year on CO, and have switched to another carrier where I have top tier status. I fly over 100,000 miles a year, and control a travel budget in excess of $50,000 yearly, just for air tickets. I make sure CO gets very little of that. a real bunch of geniuses over there.

It looks like Continental didn't forget about my Infinite status after all, today my on-line current account is showing 1999 Elite Level = Infinite. At last my payback for years of suffering. I hope it lasts as long as I do.

Deel: When did you write the letter? If it was more than 3 years ago, things have changed dramatically since current management has been in charge. Berthume and Brennman have a pretty good grasp of how to treat their most frequent flyers. Sorry you had a bad experience.
DAW

DAW, it was several years ago under the old regime. I'm aware things are much better, ut by that time I was seriously invested in USAirways' dividend miles, where I am chairman's pref (100k annually). upgrading is much better. very few restrictions on available seating versus CO, which is highly restrictive, forcing people to the gate, where it is much more difficult. while being able to phone in requests sounds like a vast improvement (on US we have 7 days advance as compared to 3 on CO), it is meaningless if they hold out the seats....which they do.

I just upgraded my first flights under the new system this morning, didn't have any trouble on a TUS - RDU route on Saturday. I did inquire about capacity controls and was told that upgrades can be confirmed only if "F" class is available, but if you are traveling on a full fare ticket you can take an "A" seat. This is about the same as the situation with the ELTC certificates, only now they are not wasteing the trees. My experience with the ELTC certs. was that often FC wasn't available 3 days in advance, but I was usually upgraded on standby. Deelmakur is right about holding back seats, they obviously don't want to give any away if there is the slightest chance that they can sell them!