CO Presidential Plus World MasterCard "Elite Privileges" NOT the same as Elite Status
Mar 10, 2009, 6:04 pm
#1
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CO Presidential Plus World MasterCard "Elite Privileges" NOT the same as Elite Status
Came up short for Silver Elite status in 2009, so on December 30 I decided to get the $375 annual fee Continental Presidential Plus World MasterCard. I suppose I read the offer on the CO website a bit too quickly:
I was sailing along nicely through January and February as Silver Elite, until I logged in the other day, purchased a ticket, and the system would not let me select a "premium" coach seat in the "blue" rows. I clicked around a bit and noticed my Silver Elite status had expired (I'm assuming March 1 they purged the system or something...) I called the OnePass customer service number, explained how I had received the Presidential Plus credit card and was informed by the CSR that "Elite Privileges" are NOT the same thing as "Elite Status". I do NOT get to pick premium coach seats any longer, nor do I get put on the waitlist for available first class upgrades. I whined a bit about the somewhat misleading verbiage and the diminished value of the $375 annual fee to me, but she wasn't gonna budge. Oh well, hrrrrmmmph. I can understand not providing the first class upgrades, I guess that's money out of their pocket. But not letting me pick among rows of empty seats in the front of coach and forcing me to a middle seat in the back? C'mon.
As it happens, I'm reading the First Class Flyer newsletter today (March 2009) and there's a blurb about how to earn instant CO elite status:
"Continental's Presidential Plus World MasterCard upgrades you to gold elite status through Feb. 28, 2010."
Huh?
EliteAccess Priority Airport Services to make your airport experience comfortable and seamless:
* Primary cardmembers get their first and second checked-bag fees automatically waived (a savings of up to $80 per round trip per passenger checking bags).
* Priority check-in lines at the airport
* Express security lines, where available
* Boarding at any time through special lines
* Priority bag tags so your bags are among the first to arrive at baggage claim
* Primary cardmembers get their first and second checked-bag fees automatically waived (a savings of up to $80 per round trip per passenger checking bags).
* Priority check-in lines at the airport
* Express security lines, where available
* Boarding at any time through special lines
* Priority bag tags so your bags are among the first to arrive at baggage claim
As it happens, I'm reading the First Class Flyer newsletter today (March 2009) and there's a blurb about how to earn instant CO elite status:
"Continental's Presidential Plus World MasterCard upgrades you to gold elite status through Feb. 28, 2010."
Huh?
Mar 10, 2009, 6:20 pm
#2
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that isn't true.
Mar 10, 2009, 6:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO Gold; SPG Gold***; AvisFirst;
Posts: 3,970
Mar 10, 2009, 6:59 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2003
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Trust me, if they offered Plat (even targeted) they'd lose so many BIS Plats it wouldn't make sense.
Mar 10, 2009, 7:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,959
I don't see anything in the list of benefits which indicates access to the Elite seating area and/or Elite upgrades. Of course, maybe this will incentivize you to requalify for Silver. 
Look on the bright side: You will at least have a pleasant place to wait out delays and connections, and can relax with a free adult beverage or two.
Look on the bright side: You will at least have a pleasant place to wait out delays and connections, and can relax with a free adult beverage or two.
Mar 10, 2009, 7:07 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CLL
Programs: MS Plat, AOR ninja
Posts: 2,177
I *wish* I could buy elite status for $375! BIS miles.... and I do believe you can earn 2K flex EQMs with the card
Mar 10, 2009, 7:16 pm
#7
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
sorry better You then Me
Mar 10, 2009, 8:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
Here is the thread that discusses this credit card and I think your question should of been posted there. Here it is:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...-co-chase.html
Has a lot of info. GL
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...-co-chase.html
Has a lot of info. GL
Mar 10, 2009, 11:01 pm
#9
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you get EA at the airport. you're not an elite.
Mar 12, 2009, 11:24 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Given the fare sales to Europe, one might get enough to re-qualify for Silver with only a bit more than $375 out of pocket.
Mar 12, 2009, 11:33 am
#11
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Like someone posted before, there are targeted versions of the card that do come with Elite status (upgrades and all).
If the original poster remembers if they were invited or if they just signed up, that will clear things up.
If the original poster remembers if they were invited or if they just signed up, that will clear things up.
Mar 12, 2009, 11:34 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I just got this (what I believe to be targeted promotion) and it promises Silver Elite Status, not elite access:
"3" is "Continental flights with a BusinessFirst® cabin, including transatlantic and transpacific flights, flights to/from Central and South America or within and between Hawaii, the Mid-Pacific and Asia are not eligible."
Upgrade to OnePass® Silver Elite today by acquiring the Continental Airlines Presidential PlusSM World MasterCard®. You'll receive Silver Elite status through Feb. 28, 2010, with benefits that include:
* An additional 25% Elite mileage bonus on Continental-operated flights
* Membership in Presidents Club
* Complimentary upgrades when available3
* An additional 25% Elite mileage bonus on Continental-operated flights
* Membership in Presidents Club
* Complimentary upgrades when available3
Mar 12, 2009, 11:35 am
#13
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I just got this (what I believe to be targeted promotion) and it promises Silver Elite Status, not elite access:
"3" is "Continental flights with a BusinessFirst® cabin, including transatlantic and transpacific flights, flights to/from Central and South America or within and between Hawaii, the Mid-Pacific and Asia are not eligible."
"3" is "Continental flights with a BusinessFirst® cabin, including transatlantic and transpacific flights, flights to/from Central and South America or within and between Hawaii, the Mid-Pacific and Asia are not eligible."
Mar 12, 2009, 11:39 am
#14
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Posts: 24,153
hows that? I just did BDL-EWR-SFO-IAH-EWR-BFS-EWR-SFO-EWR-BDL and got 18k and that cost $600
BTW SFO-BFS on sale was $400 ai $228 fare alone which was 12k
Mar 12, 2009, 11:47 am
#15
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