As of July 1, 2010, the cost of an annual Presidents Club membership has increased. Annual memberships are now $50 more expensive and a standard membership for a year for a non-elite member is now $475 (from $425). Other types of memberships have also gone up and a lifetime membership for non-elite members is now $5,900 (from $5,500). The new member initiation fee of $50 is the only fee that has not increased. With the increase in membership rates, it may be cheaper to acquire a Continental Airlines Presidential Plus MasterCard and pay the $395 annual fee (this fee has also recently increased from $375). Presidential Plus cardholders receive a full Presidents Club membership as one of the card benefits, in addition to two free checked bags.