Free elite status. You may recall from my earlier posts that the way you get treated well up in the air is by becoming one of an airline’s “elite members” — something that most airlines award with 25,000 miles of travel in a year.

Continental is actually offering “trial” elite status. Specifically, they are offering “silver elite” status through November 15, 2002. All you have to do is call 1-800-554-5522 and ask for promo code “GG ONE RA2M26”. Plus, this status will be extended through February, 2004 if you fly 3 roundtrips before the end of promo period and they’ll give you “Gold” status if you fly 6 roundtrips.

There’s only one hitch — this came as a targeted mailing. That means you may not technically be eligible — but folks are having success signing up whether they got the mailing or not. You might call and be told no — but if you are, just call back and ask again and odds on you’ll be told yes.

So what does Silver status get you?
* priority check-in and priority boarding (don’t have to wait in the usual lines)
* automatic upgrades to first class based on available space
* bonus miles

What does Gold status get you?
* same as Silver, but more bonus miles and higher priority for your upgrades.

Might as well sign up!