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Add to del.icio.usWith most major airlines finding new ways to tax the loyalty of their mileage program members (of little value to economy class travelers nowadays), Continental had been unexpectedly quiet … until now. The carrier has announced revised booking surcharges for award seats and upgrades, and unless you have Platinum elite status, you’ll be digging deeper and more often.
The Reward Travel Transaction Fee, formerly on a sliding scale based on advance, is now $75 for all departures within 20 days (Platinum members retain the previous, lower fees). The Reward Change and Redeposit Fee, formerly $50 for non-elites and $35 for Silver and Gold members, has jumped to $150 for everyone below Platinum status.
Mileage Upgrade Fees for H fares will now be charged $100 each way; fees for other fares increase $50-$100 each way. The already convoluted system just got more so, and a lot less valuable in the process.
While the changes aren’t showstoppers—for premium cabin travelers—they do represent a nuisance to those who take the program too seriously.
Economy class travelers will find programs like this one nearly a waste of time. More on the changing face of mileage programs coming in First Class Flyer.
A free ticket is still a free ticket even for $200. I use my mileage mainly for the occasional family need or if I need to supplement my business expenses such as flying a perspective employee in for an interview. I find Continental’s Elite program worth it just for the privilege of pre-boarding and faster security lines.
Recently, I need to reserve a full fare business class ticket on Swiss Air for my teen son(as he was travel with 2 other teens enroute to Athens Greece, who were on that flight flying full fare business class as well). We always upgrade when faced with flying aboroad on economy with our miles (even if the reviews on Delta and Continental seating are not favorable) It beats economy sitting. This time our son had to be on the same carrier as the family tha tinvited him to Mykonos, Greece. The Swiss Air ticket- Full business- Boston, Zurich- Athens and reverse on the flip, was the best business ticket fare around in addtion, as I compared for my sanity and justification. Mileage was not able to be applied from my AMX Rewards as Swiss Air is not a member of AMX's rewards Program. I have been for years, sadly, a Delta, Continental flyer and in addtion a AMX Rewards member- nearly 1,200,000 mi in total collectively to date after using miles annually. Non of these "miles" or "points" helped me with my booking on Swiss Air. I do not fly Luftansa (the associated partner) nor Swiss Air and I was wondering if there is a way to get mileage credit for the flight and have it translete to something that would be useful. Any ideas- Any options, Any thoughts? D.Cerasani Thank you Donna
Question is - what will happen after CO changes alliances? Booking a reward ticket now for 2009 with a current partner will be taken but will it be honored by the partner carrier one alliance shift has become official? My questions to OnePass have been answered with more of a shrug and 'I don't know' then a firm answer. Anyone know? don.brown@brownchild.com
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