Hi-

So I'm looking on the OP offers page and up pops an offer to upgrade to Silver Elite for $350 through 02/27/07. Now I'm a student who goes back and forth between SEA and EWR about 3-5 times a year and pretty much always fly either CO or AS, as they're the only carriers with NS service. I pretty much always go with a restricted ticket. I also have a EWR-SEA segment that I was able (miraculously) to get a mileage upgd on.

I'm trying to figure out if this is actually worth it. I plan to do a bit more traveling over the year, mostly to SFO (from SEA) and possibly EWR-BOS to look at grad schools. Now I know that there's the 50 % milage bonus (although that doesn't count towards elite status grrr) along with the priority security, boarding, luggage handling, ability to get "premium" seats, etc., but is it really worth paying 350 bucks on an upgrade in status. Odds are pretty good (unless I do mileage runs through ATL on DL) that I won't be able to fly enough miles by the end of the time frame to get Silver after that point, so it'd be a pretty much one-time shot. Although I probably would earn enough miles to get a cap ctrl econ RT.

So really, what I'm asking is how likely am I to get F/C without being on a full-fare ticket and being Silver because, for me, that's the best part of the whole deal. Also, it wasn't very clear from the prog. info, but do mileage upgds. cost less in terms of miles for elites than they do for non-elites on non-Y class fares? Finally, how much better is reward travel availability for Silver elites compared to non-elites, as I'd actually like to be able to use the miles I earn? If a Silver elite could try checking out upgd and cap ctrl econ. both signed in and not signed in between EWR-SEA, that'd be much appreciated. Bear in mind that the EWR-SEA route generally is pretty full, although the flights I usually go with (1481 outbound and 1880 return) use the 738's with the 14 F/C seats.

Thanks for reading (and hopefully replying).

- Ben

Hi Newbie

The 50% miles bonus for Silver might be the biggest advantage. You need to calculate what that would mean toward earning legitimate Silver for 2007. The Elite pre-boarding opportunity is a benefit as well until you hit one of those hub flights (IAH/EWR/CLE) that are 75% elite. F/C Upgrade availability for a low-fare Silver is prpbably pretty slim.

Thanks. That's what I figured. But is the reward availability really any better for Elites?

Yes, for coach only! I have looked for seats many times and came up with nothing I then put in my elite # and most of the flights opened up. I fly 10-12 times a year mostly ord-iah and if you want to sit at the front and get your bag on with you, you have to be elite.

Okay, I just got credited for miles I'd forgotten I'd flown and that apparently put me over for Silver.

So, doing a comparison I see that on that route for June, there are 6 more days with STD economy that show up when signed in as silver (12.5k OW), and a couple more firsts (at 45k each way). For July there are no std econ seats available without signing in, but when signed in as silver 5 std econs come up along with some additional firsts. In August I see ten more std economy with Silver, and a few more firsts. That's pretty much the trend as far as I can tell. The return leg showed pretty much the same trend as the outbound.

Interestingly, I got the "Continental.com could not find any available flights viaje de premio meeting your requirements. You may modify your search criteria, or in the U.S. and Canada call 1-800-300-1547; the U.K., phone 0800 096 1885; elsewhere contact your local Continental Reservations Office for assistance." error message when I actually tried to pick a couple of flights with the SILVER account. Not sure what the "viaje de premio" is about.

(A search with Gold cranked out the same seats as Silver, also, FWIW).

I agree, but if you connect with NW via MSP or DTW, your upgrade odds improve some. (Probably not between SEA-MSP and SEA-DTW though).

It's also reported that EUA for CO's EWR-SEA-EWR is also difficult (as platinum).

Jiburi

where do I find this offer I am very interested in doing this

This is the reason that I will not even fly full fare continental first, the miles are virtually worthless unless you are a platinum elite.

Hi Ben and welcome to FT!

In your place, I would do it. The combination of the following reasons (all of which have value) are worth the prce of admission:

EUA upgrades: Not an every-flight situation for slivers but it does happen. My wife has been EUA'd as a sliver more than once.

Milage upgrades: Non elites can only use mileage upgrades on high fares (I believe B and higher). Elites can use mileage upgrades in conjunction with any paid fare.

Priority waitlist on award travel....not as high as platinum but higher than non elite.

50% mileage bonus for Silver: If you are doing 4 transcontinental RT's and no other travel for the year, your bonus would be an extra 12,000 miles (aprox.).

Plus, (less important), Elite access benefits.

Good luck!

ps: With 4 rt's to the coast (20,000 plus EQM's...more if you are conecting)tadd another trip or 2 and you'lll keep the silver for next year.

Hi,

To quote another poster, "Where did you find this?" I went to the OP offers and did not see it.

Cheers

It's a targeted offer.