CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ADDS FEE FOR PAPER TICKETS

Starting today, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) will add a $10 fee per passenger for paper tickets purchased from Continental ticket outlets when the travel itinerary qualifies for electronic ticketing. In Canada, the fee is $15 CAD, and in Great Britain, the fee is 7 GBP. In all other countries, the fee is $10 USD converted into the local currency. The fee applies to paper tickets issued by Continental.com, Continental Airlines reservations centers, city ticket offices, and airport ticket offices. The fee does not apply to tickets issued by travel agents, tickets issued for groups, or tickets issued on Government contracted fares.

"Consistent with our desire to provide travelers with a choice of options that suits them best, we are continuing to offer paper tickets, albeit with a fee," a spokesperson said.

Continental Airlines implemented this paper ticket fee to offset the processing costs associated with paper tickets. Processing costs associated with paper tickets include additional paper ticket stock, manual collection and packaging at the gate, and manual processing at a centralized ticket-processing center.