Continental Airlines Announces New Benefits and Other Changes to OnePass Program
September 10 2009 - 12:04PM
PR Newswire (US)
Members will earn miles and redemption opportunities on 24 major
airlines with flights to over 950 cities worldwide upon
Continental's entry into Star Alliance HOUSTON, Sept. 10
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today
announced changes to its OnePass frequent flyer program, adding new
benefits for its customers. Some of the changes will occur in
conjunction with the airline joining Star Alliance on Oct. 27,
2009. Continental's OnePass members will enjoy reciprocal mileage
earning and redemption opportunities with Star Alliance's 24 member
airlines and will be able to connect to more than 950 cities all
over the world. "With our entry into Star Alliance along with
several program changes, customers will find the OnePass program to
be better than ever," said Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of
marketing programs and distribution at Continental Airlines. When
Continental joins Star Alliance, OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite
members will become Star Alliance Gold members, gaining recognition
and rewards across all member airlines in addition to OnePass
benefits. Platinum and Gold Elite members will have access to more
than 800 worldwide lounges when traveling on an international
itinerary with any Star Alliance member airline, regardless of
class of travel. Additionally, Platinum and Gold Elite members will
receive an extra baggage allowance of up to three bags or 44
additional pounds (20 kg) on both Continental and Star Alliance
member airlines and will receive priority services including
priority airport check-in, boarding and baggage handling across the
network. In addition to these benefits, upcoming changes to the
OnePass program include fewer fees for Platinum Elite members, no
more Saturday-night stay required for reward travel and 100 percent
Elite Qualification Miles and Points earnings on any ticket
regardless of where it was bought or issued. "With change comes
opportunity, and we're working hard to ensure the transition to
Star is smooth for our customers," said Bergsrud. "We look forward
to bringing new benefits, better global coverage and more good news
later this year." Summary of Continental's New OnePass Policies
Effective on Oct. 27, 2009 -- With Continental's entry into Star
Alliance, mileage requirements for reward travel will change,
effective for travel booked on or after Oct. 27, 2009. View Travel
and Upgrade Reward Charts. -- Saturday-night stay no longer
required for OnePass reward travel. -- 100 percent Elite
Qualification Miles and Elite Qualification Points can be earned on
discounted fares regardless of where the ticket is purchased or
issued. -- BusinessFirst $100 upgrade co-pay no longer required of
members using miles to upgrade from B fare class. -- Elite bonuses
will be based on the minimum mileage earned instead of the actual
flight miles flown. Effective on Dec. 15, 2009 -- New reward travel
fees will apply for redeposits, reservation changes and flight
bookings within 21 days of departure for rewards redeemed on or
after Dec. 15, 2009. There will be no fee for Platinum Elite
members. The Gold Elite fee will be $25, the Silver Elite fee will
be $50 and for all other members the fee will be $75. These fees
will apply per customer instead of per reservation. OnePass travel
reward changes outside of 21 days of travel will remain free if
there is no change to the origin and destination. Effective on Jan.
1, 2010 -- All members worldwide will earn 125 percent base miles
on F, C, J and D fare classes. -- All members worldwide will earn
1.5 Elite Qualification Points when they purchase and fly in fare
classes F, C, J, D, Z, Y and B on flights operated by Continental.
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline.
Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental
Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures throughout the
Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132
international destinations. More than 750 additional points are
served via current alliance partners. With more than 43,000
employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston,
Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners,
carries approximately 63 million passengers per year. Celebrating
its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns
awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its
corporate culture. For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine
named Continental the No. 1 World's Most Admired Airline on its
2009 list of World's Most Admired Companies. For more company
information, go to continental.com. DATASOURCE: Continental
Airlines CONTACT: Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines,
+1-713-324-5080, Web Site: http://www.continental.com/
http://www.continental.com/company/news
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