Continental Airlines Onepass Elite Status

Continental offers 3 levels of Elite status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) that are reach by flying 25,000, 50,000 or 75,000 miles annually (or flying 30, 60 or 90 segments each year). The catch is that if you book the most heavily discounted fares anywhere other than Continental’s website, you’ll only get half credit for the flight. That holds true for Delta and Northwest flights as well. This is a huge bummer for business travelers who are forced to use a corporate travel agency, as they are often booked into heavily discounted fares. These poor souls then require 50,000 miles to earn the lowest level of status – a miserable deal in anyone’s book.

The biggest benefit of Continental’s Elite status is the unlimited free upgrades on domestic flights, as well as flights to Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and most (but not all) of South America – the upgrades are even available on Northwest flights. Continental only flies 2-class aircraft, so you’ll be getting the best seat (unlike on United and American, where some routes offer 3-classes of service and upgrades only get you the mid-class). That said, these upgrades have grown more dear as the number of first class seats has shrunk on domestic flights and more people are buying cheaper business class tickets (Northwest flights still have pretty strong upgrade opportunities). It’s still a great perk, but Silver Elites who used to have a good chance at an upgrade are now finding themselves in the back of the bus.

An additional perk is their reward program for those who’ve flown a million miles with Continental – you’ll be rewarded with lifetime silver elite status. Other lifetime statuses are available once you’ve flown more than a million miles.

Other benefits include companion upgrades at the Gold and Platinum levels, access to seats in the front section of coach, as well as better reward availability at all Elite levels.

How to Get Elite Status Without Flying: Continental offers the Continental Presidential Plus Mastercard that gives you 2,000 Elite miles for every $25,000 you spend. The $375 card doesn’t sound like a great deal, but it comes with Presidents Club access and offers EliteAccess benefits – which include priority boarding and priority check-in.

Continental OnePass members can get Elite points when they take the Amtrak Acela on any route between Boston and Washington, DC.

In addition, American Express Centurion card holders ($2,500) get Gold status automatically.

Continental Airlines Secret: On some domestic routes, Continental uses a 757-200 configured with international Business Class seats (these are far more comfortable than the typical First Class seats). These are available for free upgrades as well, so if you are deciding between a flight where a 757-300 is flown and a 757-200, you may want to try for the -200 series and get the nicer seat (the drawback is that there are only 16 seats on that plane compared to 24 on the -300 series).

Mileage Expiration

Miles do not officially expire on Continental, but if you have no activity for 18 months consecutive months, they may close your account.

Learn More About Continental Airlines Onepass

Continental Airlines Onepass Overview
Continental Airlines Hubs and Routes
Continental Airlines Earning and Using Miles
Continental Airlines Onepass Elite Status
Continental Airlines Onepass Elite Status Matching