requalify for elite status
 

By the end of this year, I will be 460 miles short of requalifying for Platinum Elite. Do you think the CO folks will grant Plat since I am very close to 75k? Did anyone have experiences, good or bad, this past year, regarding a situation like this? Many thanks.

i think they will but do you really want to chance it?

if you are outside of the fudge factor (i don't know what that factor is), a key determinant will be the % of flights at each fare class (i.e., how often do you fly full fare). another factor will be which city (or cities) you fly from. out of newark/houston, i'd bet the fudge factor is smaller than out of atlanta, for instance.

wonderbleu,

If I were you, I would find one more 500 mile segment to fly. This way there is no guessing or "if's, probably's, and maybe's".

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"The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You"

I was going to be in a similar boat, so I added a segment on my upcoming NW trip to LAS.
I am not sure if I will continue to fly CO next year, but it is nice to have the status if I do.


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The toes you step on while on your way up are attached to the same butts you will have to kiss on your way back down.

It is not the car you drive that is important, it is the size of the arm hanging out the window!

A colleague was 15 miles short and was denied. I told them to call back and talk to someone else, but they ended up flying AA this year instead.

I called Continental today to change seat assignments I couldn't change online. I decided to ask the agent about my situation. He advised that I call the One Pass Service Center in Jan. 2004, and explain my situation. He claimed that, for the most part, every year CO runs a buy up program for folks that fall within certain "parameters". I clarified with him that "buy up" was about buying up on elite status as opposed to buying miles. He claimed he knew exactly what I was talking about. I appreciated his desire to help me and make me feel optimistic. Nevertheless, I think I'll follow most of everyone's advice and look for the cheapest segment I can find. Thanks, eveyone.

I would call the OP Service Center right now and ask them.

Last year I earned 21,824 EQM. I received an offer from Continental in January saying that I could acheive Silver Elite by paying a certain amount of money. I don't remember what it was, but I'm pretty sure it was less than $200 because I seriously considered doing it. (I didn't because I planned only one trip on Continental for 2003) But since you would be required to pay anyway, it might make sense just to make a quick trip somewhere that will give you the miles you need and then you won't be at their mercy.

You will always be at their mercy if you fly them..... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

K

You're certainly at their mercy if you wanna use your (their?) miles. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

I think if you are within a thousand they will do it...Id call just to double check or have it on record...or just take a dinky 500 mile flight somewhere on a weekend special!!!