I really feel that the lack of award availbility by the airline industry in general, and CONTINENTAL in specific, is an issue which has not been ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED by this forum, by Randy, or by ANYONE ELSE.

Yes, we've heard Randy and others speak on this issue from time to time - but nobody really seems to be DOING ANYTHING TO IMPROVE
THE SITUATION.

Im FED UP with my miles being devalued every
time I turn around. IM FED UP with day after day, week after week, calling CO to check on a BIZ FIRST seat to EUROPE. At present there are NO SEATS AVAILABLE from IAH to LON from May thru August on any nonstop flt - or via ANY connecting city!

How many people out there, took advantage of the NIP program? How many of you "lost out" - just because there were NEVER any seats that could be booked? Yes, yes, I know, "wait until closer to departure" and some seats will open up - been there done that too - have even stood by on day of departure - THIS IS NOT WHAT I PAID GOOD HARD EARNED CASH FOR.

Surely, there are some lawyers out there? Class action suit anyone? Has anyone ever filed such an action? What were the results?

Continental, I love you - I truly do! I've been with ya since '83 thru thick and thin, bankruptcy after bankruptcy. This divorce is
VERY, VERY painful for me... Your sweet grey leather seats have comforted me near and far - and on so many occassions, too!

Yes, yes, riding up front on a paid ticket has been great - but ya gotta "pay-off" on freebies, too!

Why this forum allows you - my beloved Mrs. Continental - to treat us like you do - and why this forum continues to vote you as Number One - is, alas, beyond my ability to understand.

Farewell, "my dear"! Divorce attorneys,
please contact me.

Continental has a published policy which limits BF availability more than 30 days out. It has been in effect for years. If you don't like it, take your business elsewhere.
As for NIPS, I used my two-person NIP to Europe in 1998, and my solo NIP to Europe in 1999. Only reason my Hawaii NIP wasn't used was because I never tried.

And if you really want to get to Europe but don't want to fly coach, try NW.

Unfortunately, NWA may not work for you anymore either. They changed their rule(s) rather abruptly and now limit the ability to upgrade on the cheaper TA fares- since about 11/99!

What is a NIP?

NIP awards were lower mileage level awards that had of been requested back in the early 90's when Continental dropped First class and replaced it with BF. ( a BF seat for the old BC award level ). I used my solo and double awards to Europe, no major problem ( I was gold elite), and actually had a confirmed BF reservation months in advance. I think they do that for only elite One Pass members. One Pass does take care of it's elite members much better than non's when award travel is involved.

FYI, TWO B/F seats to Europe, with the NIP award ( 2 travelling on the same flights ), was 100,000 miles. A single ticket was 65,000 miles. Travel for these level had to of been completed by the end of Sept. 1999. ( correct me if I'm wrong ).

Dear Upgrade Me,

Oh my son, perhaps this posting was INITIALLY beyond you... kindly re-read.

I don't think you understand... this posting is about service...and its about delivering on promises made in exchange for dollars spent.

For what it is worth (and only as an aside), I am very well versed on capacity management... If CO thinks that there is the REMOTEST possibility of selling a seat - "they ain't gonna give it to you" - and so one is going to sit and wait, unable to formalize any "real" vacation plans (like normal vacationers do ie., connecting flt reservations, hotels, etc.)until the very last possible moment. Why do you think that they implemented their stand-by Biz-First policy?

The truth of the matter is that this Company IS NOT: 1). DELIVERING THE PRODUCT WE PURCHASED 2). Is quietly and silently devaluating mileage (upgrading only "certain fares"). Upgrades no longer permissible to HI. and on any aircraft equiped w BF cabin to
South America.

You suggested that we use NW to Europe...we are far, fare ahead of you... As of this writing, there are NO BC seat to Europe on CO to Europe from May1 thru Aug. Nor are there ANY on NW...nor are there ANY
on VS... Bottom line - is that it is stand-by,
with possiblility of confirmation a few days in advance. What a way to plan a vacation!

I stand by my original posting...the truth sometime hurts.

The ex-Mrs. Continentlal is blushing...

Well golly gee, I guess I am just too dumb to understand you, tvl4free. Perhaps when we meet, you can give me a copy of Hooked on Phonics so I can learn?

tvl:

Upgrademe said, "If you don't like it, take your business elsewhere." This is a fallacious and dubious maxim. Gee, I guess we'd have no where to go if this were absolutely true. Moreover, I guess many of the CO elite members who have bemoaned the lack of BF seats outside of 30 days, should just go elsewhere as well.

You've got a legitimate complaint, as there is a specific aspect of CO OnePass that you find to frustrating/limited. As you said, you appreciate CO in many ways. And I don't blame you for getting perturbed about this issue. You've got a right to complain, and to be a bit insensed by it all.

The issue with CO's int. award policy still stands, despite you're not being aware of the restriction. Your frustration ultimately lies with the former.

Many persons share many of your sentiments. Search the CO boards about this; many would agree that OP is certainly not at the top with respect to international award availability/policy. When a person saves miles exclusively for premium international travel, he/she faces some major drawbacks with CO.

I have another letter going to CO about the very subject you raised. CO deserves some criticism, especially from its loyal (or previously loyal) customers. You're not alone in this view.

Jeff,

Thanks for ur support - and comment re "Upgrademe." I am very, very sorry that "Upgrademe" still doesn't "get it."

I would be most interested in a courtesy copy of correspondence which bounces between you and my "Mrs." Beware, she's literally very slick - and has become a sweet, sweet mistress.

To Upgrademe,

"Tvl4free" is not just "a way of life," but something that was earned - fully paid for. "Upgrademe," on the other hand, appears to be is a statement - a demand if you will...

I would love to see how well U R received by CO gate agents. I can just see it now "Upgrademe, Upgrademe."

Ur Hooked on Phonics was post marked today.

So, back to biz - where's the attorneys?

Be real, tvl4free. OP's rules & regs were written by CO's lawyers -- you can bet that they cover CO against this kind of complaint.

BTW, as a Silver, flying to/from EWR:

1. 6/98: Redeemed NIP for 2 BF to England (we flew EWR-BHX b/c no BF seats available EWR-LGW on a Thursday, but BF LGW-EWR for the return).

2. 8/99: On 10 days notice, upgraded 4 super-cheap coach seats to BF HNL-EWR.

My experience doesn't match up with yours. Maybe there's another explanation, like attempting to redeem at peak travel periods, etc.

Management runs CO - or any airline -- for the stockholders first; pleasing the passengers - and employees - is only important to the extent that it contributes to the bottom line (see NW & US as case studies in how unhappy employees hurt the bottom line). Customer give-aways (like FF plans) have to be managed just like advertising, fare sales, etc: so as to have the smallest impact on bottom-line revenue while bringing in the desired level of business.

If BF continues to impress revenue pax (as evidenced by selling seats), FFs can basically kiss it goodbye (except for flights like EWR-Europe leaving the evening of 12/31/99). Ain't capitalism great?

arturo hav awl yur fonics rite heer. awl yu hav two doo es reed arturo an yu git fonics. es fore co opgrad polisy, yu themk wonpas o yu sumthin, et doo knot o yu enythin. yu sined up, yu new the rools, an now yu beech about et. arturo sey thet wy knot transfer yur mils two hhoneries et helton an thin transfer them two dilta or untied an git yur opgrade two urope. oh, yu sey, i awlredy by my tickit an i wan to opgrad et wif my wonpas mils. wel, by the co rools, yu rol the dise an ef yu git opgrade thin yu luckie. othrwis, yur sheet out of luck. an yu tock about gat ajint kno yu, wel they kno lic. arturo an they kno hem wel. fa's kno arturo, pileots kno arturo, an awl co peepl treet arturo nise an arturo git eny opgrade he kneed. urope, hywawyi, knew yok, arturo awlweighs en bf or fc an he knot pey fc fair.

beesids awl thes, yu kneed two putt thes beech sessyun undr co. arturo shur thet senor bethun's male bag knot be very hevy wiff beech male frum thes postie.

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loving, caring, honest, intelligent, empathetic, creative, and giving.

tvl4free and [b]UpgradeMe[b]:

Please let's not get into another flame war. Disagree all you want, but when you start taking shots, it can escalate far too easily.

For crying out loud, I'm a Red Sox fan and Doc is a Yankees fan, and WE manage to get along!


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

Those of you who have been following FlyerTalk for a while know that I have been playing the OnePass game for a long time. Yesterday I called to request a domestic reward ticket for my wife, no problem getting flights on the days I wanted, even on the weekend before the fourth of July.

BuisnessFirst is of course a moneymaker for CO, and they don't like to give it away, however with some flexability and advance planning I have been able to book a total of 7 tickets to Europe. I usually book anything I can get and waitlist the flights I want, also call from time to time. Once a letter to Gordon was needed. Overall I've been satisfied with what I've received from CO.

I agree CO could make booking freebies easier. I tried to book 2 coach LHR-UVF on partner airline BWIA.

You call up CO and suggest a date you might like to travel (having already checked for cheap paid-for flight availabilty so as not to completely waste my time). They then send the request off to the partner airline who respond yes or no within ten days. If no, you have to suggest another alternative date and wait another ten days. If no...........

Why does this need to happen when all airlines' computers are linked?

P.S. I got the seats at the third attempt and we're off on a freebie to St Lucia in May. Free Hilton worth $700 a night too!

Continental I love ya!