Continental Airlines has made some changes to its instant elite upgrade benefit. Elite members currently receive instant upgrades on Y and B fares on eligible flights and now Platinum members can receive instant upgrades when booking M class fares in eligible markets. Instant upgrades for B and M (Platinum only) will be booked into the fare class used for EasyPass awards, which means there will be restrictions on the number of instant upgrades available. Instant elite upgrades for Y class will continue to offer last seat first class availability. After hearing the news, one FlyerTalk member with Platinum elite status found a roundtrip San Francisco to Newark flight in M for “$589.20 with the instant upgrade icons. $1,049.20 in B. Great way to score an F seat for almost half price.”