Elite Access Question
 

I am silver on continental - if I book a reservation for myself and a companion traveler, will we both have elite access on our boarding pass and be able to select elite seats even though my companion does not have elite status.

You will have elite access on your pass, your companion will not. But if you make the reservation on the same PNR (book them at the same time), then you will be able to choose elite seats for both travellers.

as an elite, you can always seat people in the elite section if you have logged in to co.com. simply log in, then access their record using their last name and conf. number and you can seat them anywhere.

if they're on your recrod, you can do it anytime.

in terms of Elite access, i have never encountered a TSA or CO agent that has not allowed a friend/companion(s) of mine use my EA benefits. it takes more time to explain that they are not entitled to the benefits than to just allow them to join along.

I've encountered the same with companions. For that matter, I've been able to get non-elite's next to me in the "elite seat" section just by calling the 800 number. It's never a problem.

That has not been my experience. A non-elite travel companion of mine was noisily denied access (scolded by the Reich Marshal GA) and felt embarrassed by the scornful stares of the spiteful elites crowding the blue carpet... all because I was trying to be nice and have her board with me. She spent the whole flight mad at me! (You know what they say about good deeds.)

Now, I either board with a non-elite companion during non-elite boarding or I board separately during elite access, using the excuse that I am only doing so to snag a pillow for her. :D

I've never had a problem having a non-elite board at the same time I board with my elite status. This has been true even if the non-elite is a co-worker on a different itinerary. I've even pushed my luck far enough to board with F when my wife was upgraded (on my miles), but my automatic upgrade hadn't come through.

I've never encountered a problem at security in EWR when some passengers are elite and some are not.

And, when my husband and I are traveling in FC and my son and his coach are in Y, they board with us at the FC announcement. We've never had a problem. I think the only people who might complain would be the Plats who didn't get the upgrade.

Maybe it's just a CLE thing, but on at least 1/3 of the time during the boarding process the GA turns someone away, stops the boarding process and gets on the PA to "remind" passengers that only elites are boarding now. "If your boarding pass does not say 'elite,' do not approach the gate." Also, during elite boarding if anyone—even an elite—approaches the gate from the non-blue-carpet side, the GA will usually turn them back.

I have never had any problems when I hand my BP and non-elite BP to GA at same time, making sure my BP is on top and indicating to the GA that we're together.

Ever try that in Cleveland?

Never had a problem either, even at EWR.

-Vincent

Am I the only one who thinks the GAs should turn away non-Elites traveling with Elites who try to board with them? I've seen at least one instance where an Elite was traveling with his entire non-Elite family (wife and 3 or 4 kids) and the GAs let them all board first - slowed up the entire boarding process, what with the stowing of strollers and corraling of kids and whatnot.

Why should non-Elite traveling companions be entitled to special boarding privileges, unless they're with a Gold or Plat and have been given an upgrade?

I will next month, I may have to revive this thread then :p

Can someone tell me what's the bonus of boarding first with pre-assigned seats? I'd rather board last (provided there's enough overhead space) since I'll be sitting in that plane seat for the next n hours... I'd rather sit in the spacious terminal and enjoy the last few minutes before the flight.

Overhead space
 

The overhead space is the reason. If Continental ever got rid of the pre-boarding privileges, I think they'd lose a lot of regular customers. I find it useful to settle in.