United, Continental Offer Free Upgrades to Most Loyal Customers

In a relationship that seems to be getting rather close, Continental and United Airlines jointly announced a wonderful reciprocal benefit for elite-level flyers: Complimentary Domestic upgrades. This means United Mileage Plus elite members can enjoy free rides up front on Continental (and United), and Continental One Pass elite members can taste United's first and business class product as well. The complimentary upgrade policy goes into effect next Summer.

Clearing order for complimentary upgrades (as space is available):

Traveling on United: United Global Service, 1K, and Premier Exec clear first, followed by Continental Platinum and Gold Elite.

Traveling on Continental: Continental Platinum Elite, followed by United Global Service and 1K, then Continental Gold and Silver members.

Continental just joined the Star Alliance program a few weeks ago but their relationship with United dates back to June 2008. Recently, for example, United announced Red Carpet Club members can now access the network of Continental President's Club lounges worldwide.

Continental and Mexicana Join New Alliances Soon

Continental Airlines joins Star Alliance (United, U.S Air,et al. ) effective October 27, 2009.

Mexicana Airlines joins OneWorld (American Airlines, et al.) eff November 10, 2009.

If you have flights planned with either of these carriers, be sure you are receiving proper mileage credit in the corresponding airline/alliance program.

Continental Airlines Offers Double Elite Miles Promotion

Continental is the latest airline to offer a Fall/Winter double elite-qualifying miles promotion. Under the terms, members of Continental's OnePass program will earn double EQM's for all flights between September 9 and December 15, 2009. Registration is required. In the past week, American and United announced similar promotions.

Continental Offers 500 Miles for Online Reservations

Following the lead of Delta and Northwest Airlines last week, Continental Airlines announced they to will award 500 bonus miles for round-trip flights booked through it's website, continental.com. 

Registration is not required; simply book and purchase your tickets by May 31, 2009 to qualify. 

Win 1,000,000 Continental Miles in the TripAdvisor Sweeps

Click on over to TripAdvisor for your chance to win 1,000,000 Continental miles and $5,000 cash. One winner will be chosen among all sweepstakes entries received between March 23 and May 4, 2009. Limit one entry per person, per week. 

Continental Airlines 'Take Away' Commercial

This Continental Airlines ad, posted two years ago on YouTube, pokes fun at other airlines for taking away some of the basic amenities passengers are accustomed to - ones still offered at Continental.

San Francisco to Belfast, England $395 "all in"

10:00 PM (fare subject to change at any time)
(From Flyertalk)
San Francisco to Belfast, England for $395 roundtrip - taxes included on Continental Airlines.
Some segments may be operated by Virgin Atlantic or BMI. Available for Monday-Thursday departures in January and February. Visit expedia.com or continental.com to check for availability.

Continental OnePass Program Changes

In an announcement this week, Continental Airlines announced two key changes to OnePass, it's frequent flyer program.

First, the elimination of 500-mile minimum on short-haul flights for tickets purchased on or after November 15, 2008, for travel on or after January 1, 2009. Previously the airline awarded a minimum 500 frequent flyer miles for short trips - destinations less than 500 air miles. This change matches a similar move by United and U.S Airways earlier this summer.

Second, a change that affects Continental elite members. Starting March 1, 2009, Platinum elite members receive a 100% (down from 125%) bonus miles on each flight, while Silver elite members receive a 25% bonus (down from 50%). Gold elites will continue to receive a 50% bonus. Although this comes as a sting to many Continental elite flyers, the miles adjustment matches current bonuses awarded by other airlines.

Oakland To Loose Continental Airlines

In a notice to employees Thursday, Continental Airlines announced they will eliminate flights to 15 cities, including Oakland International. The airline has 3 daily flights from Oakland to its Houston hub. Flights will be discontinued in September.

Oakland has been hammered recently after carriers ATA, Aloha and Skybus ceased operations leaving several Oakland passengers stranded. American Airlines previously announced it too will end Oakland operations later this fall, they also had 3 daily flights to their Dallas hub.

No surprise that airline traffic is down 20% off last years numbers at OAK, making it one of the hardest hit airports in the country. Officials at the airport are planning on cutting jobs, and shelving plans for a third terminal.

Affected Continental passengers holding confirmed reservations can receive a full refund, accommodated on another airline, or fly from San Francisco or San Jose.

Continental doubles fuel surcharge

In a struggle to keep the engines running and show a profit, Continental Airlines announced today a doubling in the fuel surcharge on domestic airline tickets. With the increase, consumers will now pay an additional $40 for domestic airline tickets.

United and American Airlines surprised in the industry last week by charging as much as $50 for fuel surcharges. Although initially matched by other airlines, most of these charges were scaled back or dropped altogether after consumers balked at the higher fees.

The airline industry has been hammered with rising fuel costs. American, United and Delta all came out with 4th quarter losses directly attributed to the cost of fuel. Continental however did show some profit, mainly related to higher revenues from International routes. The fuel surcharges are seen as an immediate way to escape the red and bring the airlines back into profit mode.

Analysts expect other airlines will adjust their surcharges upward in response to Continental's announcement.

San Francisco - Boston, MA $180/Roundtrip including taxes. Continental Airlines.
Available certain dates during January and February. www.farecompare.com

Hot Fare: San Francisco to Kansas City - $120 roundtrip + tax Continental Airlines
Fare Valid 7 days a week thru February 9th CLICK HERE

JetBlue to offer free onboard internet

According to BrandWeek, JetBlue will begin offering Internet access on its flights by the end of the year, and at a low cost of $0. Other airlines, including Virgin America, Southwest and Continental have discussed offering enhanced on board communication amenities as well but specifics, timing and cost are relatively unknown.

Miles for your time and thoughts

The "E-miles" program, offering frequent flyer miles in exchange for your time and thoughts (fill out surveys), is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 250 Northwest Airlines miles to new members.
The program is available to Delta, Continental, and US Airways members as well, though not with a sign-up bonus.

I've used e-miles for the past several months. I recommend not using your primary email address as new offers and other associated junk mail may soon fill your box. The earned miles post too your respective frequent flyer program each quarter in 500 mile increments.

"Thanks Again" offers 500 free frequent flyer miles

"Thanks Again" a program whereby local merchants, mostly dry cleaners, offer miles for utilizing their services are offering a one-time sign up bonus. Sign up (free) between now and the end of July and receive 500 frequent flyer miles on either United, Continental or Delta. Then earn additional miles after qualifying transactions.

The program requires you to register your credit card; some may be concerned about releasing this personal information to 3rd parties. 1) I've personally joined the "Thanks Again" program and received the 500 miles from United - took a couple weeks. 2) You could provide a pre-paid debit/gift credit card with a balance on it, or perhaps try registering a virtual credit card number offered by banks.

Here are links to the respective programs:
United
Continental
Delta