so i'm a UA 1K and an AA EXP based 15 mins from EWR (the only reason i don't fly CO is cause they don't have the interational upgrades).
Unfortunately however, several times a year, CO is just the most convenient option and for those times getting the exit row seat on a 3hr flight is really nice. When I first moved to new jersey, my company's TA at the time comped the CO gold status for me (I was 1K then)... but i did not fly CO enough to maintain the status.

my question: being that I've been comped before, I can not be comped again apparently. do i have any other options to be able to get to silver level? i'm willing to spend about $500 to get it... by MR, begging the right people at onepass, bribery, chocolates ...

once I get silver this year, I would probably maintain silver so I can keep snagging those exit row seats (BTW, am i even off base on this that I can get exit row seats as a silver if i usually book about 1-3 weeks out?)

thanks in advance

1. The TA comp probably doesn't count as far as status match, so you might be able to get a status match.
2. Normally, you have to be platinum to snag exit row seats before OLCI.

I can't think of any way to earn Silver status for $500, but you could easily get it for $1200 or $1300.

1. apparently the TA comp did count and they would not let me have the status match.
2. did not know you had to be a platinum to get the exit row seats... that's quite a requirement.

also, from reading the boards here it does not seem to make sense how the upgrades are working. in the past 2 years i've not missed a single upgrade on either UA or AA on any transcon flight. granted i usually have flexibility in which flights i take and i booked based on that but even when push comes to shove... i always seem to make the upgrade.... this is also not dissimilar from other 1Ks and EXPs that I know personally (not all at 100% but pretty close). I'm always thinking that CO has 6-7 Non Stops to SFO while UA only has 2, how are PLATS that have some flexibility not getting upgraded close to 100%

So this is a bit OT from the OP, but given that i live 15 mins from EWR and travel 250+ BIS miles a year (mostly in coach fares with the rare RTW thrown in).... is there any reason that I should pursue CO plat instead of AA/UA?
Do any PLATS out there do transcons with flexibility that have close to 100% upgrade success? (from EWR to SFO/LAX/SJC/SNA/SAN)

I think the current consensus is that Plats have about a 20% overall upgrade average (if that) on EWR to SFO/LAX/SJC/SNA/SAN. Those flights normally sell out in F, often a week or two in advance.

I think it's only fair that the better seats are held for those that fly the most. AA holds back benefits for its top flyers.


The FC fare has actually been reduced, so CO appears to be filling its front cabin. The FC fare is close to a Y or B fare on AA, for which even Platinum's stand a chance to upgrade. There are also some YUP's available and that helps fill the cabin. Continental also upgrades on fare class, so the more expensive fares, within the ranks of the PLAT's, move to the head of the line. (It doesn't help that, IMHO, there are just too many PLAT's!). I think the upgrade chances have decreased due to a combination of lower FC fares and lots of elites.


I have been a top tier elite on Continental for twelve years. This year, I will fly close to 200k and realized that, once I hit Platinum on Continental, there's no benefit to me in being loyal to Continental. I completed a Platinum challenge on AA a few weeks ago and am one third of the way along (33k points) to getting EXP by year's end. From what I have seen, if you are already EXP on AA (I can't speak to United), Platinum on Continental is a step down. I wouldn't even consider it. Continental offers a good all round service to its customers, but if you fly a lot (and tend to buy last minute tickets; i.e., spend a lot more than average), AA is a much better deal. I wouldn't give it a second thought--I think you'd regret switching from either United or American to Continental. Also, the BusinessFirst product is tired and needs a major revamp: I have been very disappointed in what I have experienced recently, but have solved the problem by switching to AA.

thanks for all the insight. looks like you need to change your handle though.

EEK, i'm so 'spoilt' that I'm annoyed when I don't get the non-bulkhead window seat that I want in upgraded F/C...

join the american express centurion program. they will comp you to gold for as long as you hold the card.

Other than a possible status match,or calling One Pass and showing them your CO confirmed Itin over the next couple of months ,where I have read in the past they sometimes will monitor then comp you, put your butt in the seat like the rest of us and you can earn your EQM /status all you want.