Hi Everyone, I’ve edited my original post to make some clarifications about the front cabin earning changes. Specifically, I had erroneously left out B class, the EQM amounts (which will be 150% EQMs for F, C, J, D, Z, Y and B for all members worldwide), and the fact this applied to travel on Continental. Sorry for the omission. Continental.com will be updated accordingly. Here are some answers to your other questions.

Hi sbm12, we do plan to participate in the Star Alliance Upgrade Award program, however, the launch date is yet to be finalized. That's why we didn't include it in the announcement.

Thanks sbm12, nice catches. Will address.

Hi cova, good question. If you have a reward booked before Oct, 27, 2009, you will be able to make changes without an additional collection provided you stick with the carriers listed on your original ticket. If you change carriers, then you'll be subject to the new reward amount.

That’s correct, cova, BusinessFirst is categorized as Business Class.

Yes, within 24 hours of your original departure and your original fare class needs to be available. If it's not, you'll be able to stand by for no fee.

Hi xyzzy, no need to read too deep into this. There are no anticipated changes to our codeshare agreements with these carriers. With this change, our Elite Qualification earnings will essentially be limited to Continental, Copa, our Virgin Atlantic codeshares and our Star Alliance members.

Hi Hartmann, as of now, Emirates will remain as partner for reward redemption.

Hi SuperG1955, there are no changes to our current Elite level thresholds.

Hi mfhstid, Virgin Atlantic's Premium Economy product will not be a part of our travel reward redemption offering, nor will any of our future partners’ comparable product. For Virgin Atlantic, we offer reward options in their Economy Class and Upper Class, the latter of which is considered Business Class. In some markets, we will charge a higher mileage amount due to some contractual restrictions, and when applicable, it's denoted as such on the new reward charts.

Hi jrzyshawn, you'll be able to do this after Oct. 27 when the change goes into effect. You will however, be required to redeposit and re-redeem your reward.

Hi Funnyguy, I knew you'd be happy with this change. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until Oct. 27 to redeem at the new levels.

Hi benolaa, we'll continue to purpose O class on Continental flights as an internal-only bucket used for Platinum-only inventory on BusinessFirst itineraries. Our pricing will be set up to recognize this as Business Class, and will have no impact to our reward pricing for three-cabin first class rewards on Star Alliance members.

Thanks sbm12, looks like I left an important word out in my original post. If you are an Elite member, you will receive a new membership card by late Oct., which will reflect your Star Alliance elite level.

Hi Alpha Golf, nothing to announce at this time. Our first order of business has been to get our programs ready for entry into Star Alliance.

Hi bajrbajr, to clarify, our reward fees apply based on the Elite status of the account from which the miles were redeemed. So, if a reward was redeemed from a Platinum member's account (regardless of whether it's the member traveling) the Platinum-level fees (or lack thereof) will apply. Really... it's a good thing.

Hi flyldavid, the full Elite Qualification credit changes apply to the date of travel, not the date of purchase.