One of my co-workers who is Platinum is curious as to what the consensus is (speculation, of course) as to what percentage of this year's Platinums will maintain their status for 2000.

Of the 4 Platinums whose travel arrangements I handle, only 1 will maintain his status for next year (all his miles in 1999 are CO except one HP leg; none on NW. 2 will be Gold and 1 will be Silver.

From the other end -

in 1998 more or less zero continental miles
in the early part of 1999 got them to comp me to gold. I've enjoyed many many upgrades.

this week I will finally hit 75k miles and reach platinum. so a big thanks to continental and a "see, your faith in me was well put!"

Sheryl,

I think the Platinum ranks for 2000 will be reduced by at least 50%, maybe more. Your actual (1 out of 4) is probably a low percentage. So, somewhere in between is probably close.

Why do you suspect such a decrease, Jaws? Does that mean an easier time of it for upgrades next year?

I agree with JAWS, the reason being that anyone who flew at least 50,000 elite miles in 1998 automatically qualified at the Platinum level for 1999, but to maintain Platinum status into 2000, you had to have flown 75,000 elite miles in 1999. Now, of course, there were more opportunities for CO elite miles in 1999 with the NW alliance, but going from 50,000 miles to 75,000 miles (or 60 segments to 90 segments) is a pretty substantial jump.

I do have this to offer though. Since CO consistently is highly rated by business travelers, I would suspect that more and more biz travelers are switching their allegiance to CO. Further, CO continues to add capacity at EWR, providing yet another group of FFs the opportunity to rise to Platinum status. Of course, these two groups will slightly dilute the Platinum pool.

And yes, that should definitely make it easier for Platinums to upgrade next year, and IMO, slightly better for Golds overall as well, but not necessarily the 2000 Golds who were 1999 Platinums.

What is the status of those individuals who attained lifetime elite status? Are they going to be Gold or Platinum Elites?

Platinum for life is the answer I've been given, although like everything else in life, I am sure this too may change.

I truly hope CO remembers the Infinite Elites who stuck with them through the long Lorenzo years, Peanuts Fares and Continental Lite debacles!

BTW, I also truly hope that IF CO ever does plan to eliminate the infinite elite, they give us a year or two's warning. In 1999, for instance, I will come up about two segments short of earning Platinum again. Since I'm Inifinite, it is of no consequence. However, if I knew the program was coming to an end, I easily could have changed a few trips from nonstops to add the segments.