Continental revises program for flight upgrades

By Joe Brancatelli

MILES & POINTS

The Continental/United upgrade game: The integration of Continental Airlines into the Star Alliance has gone fairly smoothly considering it is the first-ever on-the-fly (so to speak) switch in the history of alliances. And now one of the last pieces of the puzzle — the order in which flight upgrades will clear — seems to be set.

For travel on Continental Airlines flights, first priority goes to Continental OnePass Platinums, followed by United Mileage Plus super elites (Global Services and 1K), followed by Continental Gold, United Premier Executive, Continental Silver and United Premier.

On United flights, the order is reversed. United’s top elites get first crack at upgrades, followed by Continental Platinum, United Premier Executive, Continental Gold, United Premier and Continental Silver.

The final piece of the puzzle has also been set, too. Continental Airlines is adding a super-duper-elite called Presidential Platinum Elite. That will give Continental OnePass a level to equal United 1K status. To become a Presidential Platinum Elite, you’ll have to be invited. And to be invited, you need to be a Platinum Elite flier (75,000 qualifying miles) and spend $30,000 on Continental. The new level becomes effective next year.

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