Shortcuts to Elite?
Apr 17, 2000 | 7:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Northwest NJ, USA
Programs: HHonors (Gold), One Pass (Peon)
Posts: 680
Shortcuts to Elite?
I currently have in excess of 160,000 miles in OnePass but did not fly enough last year to gain Elite Status, and only have 10 segments so far this year. It will take quite a while to get another 20 segments or enough miles to gain Elite.
Is there any other way I could talk my way into Elitedom? From reading the posts, it seems like Continental and other airlines bend over backwards to grant comp. status to other airlines members, but what about one of their own who just didn't fly enough in one year?
Any suggestions will be appreciated. If I get flamed for wanting something I didn't earn - well, I guess I deserve that too.
DoggyDaddy
------------------
Is there any other way I could talk my way into Elitedom? From reading the posts, it seems like Continental and other airlines bend over backwards to grant comp. status to other airlines members, but what about one of their own who just didn't fly enough in one year?
Any suggestions will be appreciated. If I get flamed for wanting something I didn't earn - well, I guess I deserve that too.
DoggyDaddy
------------------
Apr 17, 2000 | 8:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2000
Programs: UA 1PMM,AAG; usedtobeelite
Posts: 2,500
Why not try to talk them into a "challenge" the way AA is doing now?
Apr 17, 2000 | 9:15 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Houston, Texas, TEXAS
Posts: 1,510
DoggyDaddy,
Try anything. Call the OPSC and ask them. Tell them you like CO and that it is your favorite airline. Tell them anything, maybe they will comp you Silver for the rest of the year.
I just completed my 46th segment and if I could give you some segments, I would. I am currently Platinum and I really do not mind if you can get CO to comp you at least Silver. There is no flaming from this veteran of the CO FF'er wars.
Try anything. Call the OPSC and ask them. Tell them you like CO and that it is your favorite airline. Tell them anything, maybe they will comp you Silver for the rest of the year.
I just completed my 46th segment and if I could give you some segments, I would. I am currently Platinum and I really do not mind if you can get CO to comp you at least Silver. There is no flaming from this veteran of the CO FF'er wars.
Apr 17, 2000 | 9:49 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,293
DoggyDaddy:
You would have a better chance if you weren't flying out of a CO hub. (I assume you fly out of Newark) A few years back CO would give you Bronze elite if you were among the top 7% of OnePass members flying out of your market. Maybe you need to think about doing a mileage run or two. Watch for sales on the discount carriers, and the majors usually match them.
There is a crazy man on the United forum who is planning to do 6 round trips from Chicago to Hong Kong in 2 weeks to get his elite status. His ghost will probably haunt UA for years to come.
You would have a better chance if you weren't flying out of a CO hub. (I assume you fly out of Newark) A few years back CO would give you Bronze elite if you were among the top 7% of OnePass members flying out of your market. Maybe you need to think about doing a mileage run or two. Watch for sales on the discount carriers, and the majors usually match them.
There is a crazy man on the United forum who is planning to do 6 round trips from Chicago to Hong Kong in 2 weeks to get his elite status. His ghost will probably haunt UA for years to come.
Apr 19, 2000 | 8:05 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,293
I remembered another option, from Continental's small business program.
Silver Elite for 17 points = $8,500 to $17,000 (depending on routes traveled) spent for travel on CO by you/your employees for travel on CO.
Upgrades, free travel, PC passes also available.
Go to: http://www.continental.com/bts/ click on "Small Business"
[This message has been edited by Old Gold (edited 04-19-2000).]
Silver Elite for 17 points = $8,500 to $17,000 (depending on routes traveled) spent for travel on CO by you/your employees for travel on CO.
Upgrades, free travel, PC passes also available.
Go to: http://www.continental.com/bts/ click on "Small Business"
[This message has been edited by Old Gold (edited 04-19-2000).]
Apr 19, 2000 | 9:30 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
Or purchase a Amex Centurian card for about $1,000/year and get elite status in a bunch of carriers.
Apr 19, 2000 | 11:25 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 271
What is the AA Challenge? I didnt see it mentioned in the AA folder.
Apr 19, 2000 | 11:34 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 271
Sorry for the question. I just found the folder.
Apr 29, 2000 | 6:43 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Northwest NJ, USA
Programs: HHonors (Gold), One Pass (Peon)
Posts: 680
FWIW, I called CO Service desk and almost begged them to upgrade me to elite status because of my 160,000 miles and dedication to CO, etc., etc. While the person I spoke to was very pleasant, he would not give me anything. He did indicate that if I were elite in another program that CO would comp me, but alas, I am a peon in all programs. I guess I'll just have to fly more.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Apr 29, 2000 | 10:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Between SNA and ONT
Posts: 1,486
Did you ask about a challenge? I wonder if that would work. Anyone else ever do that with CO?
May 8, 2000 | 8:43 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 8,179
Someone I know was a OnePass non-elite member and flies CO about 4 times a year on discounted coach tickets from IAH. A couple of months ago, he got an unsolicited offer in the mail that allowed him to pay something on the order of $200 and be granted Silver Elite status. He took the offer. It sounded similar to the offer that they give previous Elite members who didn't requalify, but this member had never held Elite status before. Perhaps you can ask to be invited to particpate in this offer.
Mar 21, 2001 | 2:38 am
#12
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 8,179
To follow up on my own post, this same member that I referred to above was about 1000 miles shy of requalifying for Silver Elite during calendar year 2000. He didn't get the "buy back to your previous status" offer that most other fallen Elites get. My speculation is that this is a result of his original Silver Elite status being granted based on a response to the soliciation mentioned above, rather than actual flight miles.
Are there any Elite members out there that failed to reqaulify for their same elite status the next year, and had earned their former status through actual flight miles, but were not offered an opportunity to "buy back" to their previous Elite level?
Are there any Elite members out there that failed to reqaulify for their same elite status the next year, and had earned their former status through actual flight miles, but were not offered an opportunity to "buy back" to their previous Elite level?
Mar 22, 2001 | 9:05 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arizona
Programs: MSP raised, Elite since age 17
Posts: 4,723
I've fallen from Gold to Silver for the first time ever in 5 years of CO status, and I haven't gotten any offers so far. 
Not too much difference for me since my CO travel is restricted by work now, but I'll miss occasional companion upgrades.
[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 03-22-2001).]
Not too much difference for me since my CO travel is restricted by work now, but I'll miss occasional companion upgrades.
[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 03-22-2001).]
Mar 23, 2001 | 6:28 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
I would not sweat it if you are are not traveling very much. My reading of this board and talking with OP members at couple of companies show the comp u/g rate for Silv to be 40%-60%, for Gold 70%-80% and Plat 90%-99%. Hey, not bad for a real super genuine freebie on nice new metal and mostly great FA's too. Now for international travel............well it may be AA for this ff soon.
MisterNice
MisterNice