Continental Airlines Enhances OnePass

Continental Airlines has made 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 27 October 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.

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% 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 Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of  marketing programs and distribution at Continental Airlines. “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 27 October 2009:

- With Continental’s entry into Star Alliance, mileage requirements for reward travel will change, effective for travel booked on or after 27 October 2009.

- Saturday-night stay no longer required for OnePass reward travel.

- 100% 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 15 December 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 15 December 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 1 January 2010:

- All members worldwide will earn 125% 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.

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