One Mile at a Time reports that while Continental reduced elite mileage bonuses (essentially aligning themselves with new partner-to-be United), they’ve offered a way back in that members who have their Presidential Plus co-branded credit card earn the old elite bonuses.

The card has a $375 fee, but comes with lounge membership and Avis Presidents Club membership so will be worthwhile to some — especially heavy flyers earning higher mileage bonuses.

An interesting demonstration (again…) of the power and importance of co-branded credit card partners. In many ways a high-volume credit card customer is as important or more so to a frequent flyer program than a high-volume flyer.

Fortunately, to the benefit of both types of customers, the two are frequently one in the same person and so can benefit mightily by this new reality with many airline co-branded card products in terms of faster elite requalification, extra bonus miles, and in some cases similar benefits to basic elite status just for holding such a card.