Quote:
Originally Posted by UA Insider
Can't get anything past you, sbm12!
Yes, it's true, at the beginning of next year, we'll be adding a new Elite reward ticket upgrade benefit exclusively for our Continental Chase Presidential Plus and OnePass Plus MasterCard members (OnePass Plus is the new name what is currently known as World MasterCard). Once effective, customers who have one of these credit cards will have their complimentary Elite upgrade benefits extended to OnePass reward tickets. Here are some of the key points:
The Elite upgrade boundaries are similar to revenue tickets. This upgrade benefit will apply to the same flights where we offer complimentary Elite upgrades for paid tickets. It will only apply, however, to flights operated by Continental.
The prioritization of these upgrades will be similar, too. Reward ticket upgrades will be prioritized within each respective Elite tier, just behind the lowest revenue fare class. And because I know you’re going to ask, EasyPass rewards won’t be considered eligible for instant upgrades.
It’s for Presidential Plus and OnePass Plus MasterCard cardmembers only. This benefit will not not extend to any other Continental credit or debit card.
This is a OnePass benefit for the primary cardmember only. This means that in order to take advantage of this benefit, the OnePass reward tickets have to be redeemed and used by the Elite member, and the Elite member has to be the primary cardmember. This will not extend to rewards redeemed for other individuals, rewards redeemed from anything other than the primary cardmember’s OnePass account, nor will it apply to additional cardmembers.
Platinum and Gold Companions benefit will still apply. This policy will mirror what we do for revenue tickets.
I think that covers it, but if you have any questions, post ‘em here. We’re glad to be adding this new benefit, and hope you’ll be able to take advantage of it.
Originally Posted by
elgringito
I just spoke to an Elite phone representative to ask if this benefit continues. You had never heard of award tickets having upgrade possibilities. I could not find any information relating to this on the Continental website and neither could she.
I would like to find this on the website so I can have with me on my trips to Honduras since the front seats at least a few years ago were seldom fully occupied. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
I spoke to the OnePass awards desk and they knew nothing of this benefit, stating there was no upgrade process on award tickets and that upgrades were solely based on status. A half hour later, the person I spoke to then called, a nice touch of real service (though I am some sure some CO detractors would say this was merely compensating for bad training, et al), and informed me that a memo had been distributed to Elite line agents informing them of this benefit and that he would re-send the memo to Elite line agents. He could not send me a copy. He also stated the process was automated.
I sent an e-mail to the Customer Care desk and received this response, which I thought was another nice touch of real service:
Thank you for the correspondence about the newly-created program of being upgraded on Continental flights when traveling on coach reward miles booked with a Continental-branded Chase card. Your e-mail came to my attention at the Continental Executive office in Houston, and I appreciate this opportunity to respond.
At the present time, there is no mention of this feature online at the continental.com website. I have included the memo sent to Continental employees when it was started which is very similar to the e-mail sent to all Chase card holders.
Effective April 1, 2011, Continental OnePass Elite members who have a Chase Presidential Plus or OnePass Plus MasterCard are eligible for a complimentary upgrade, during the EUA process, when traveling on a OnePass (SaverPass and EasyPass) reward ticket.
Processed after the lowest revenue bucket for other Elite customers, but before the companion at each Elite level
Valid on flights operated by Continental and Continental Micronesia only
Note: The benefit is for the Elite Chase card holder only and not their companion traveling on a reward ticket.
At the Airport:
If an Elite customer is traveling on a reward Travel Plan and presents a Chase Presidential Plus or OnePass Plus MasterCard to the airport agent, the agent will add the customer to the stand-by list at the appropriate boarding priority. This functionality is not available via self-service check in platforms at this time.
If you have any further questions, please get back to me. I believe the information provided above is fairly comprehensive.
As a OnePass Platinum Elite member, Mr. ______, your business and loyalty for the past 28 years are extremely valued. Thank you for including Continental Airlines in your travel plans, and on behalf of my co-workers, we look forward to serving you onboard our Flight on Tuesday, June 7.
Regards,
David Risinger
Senior Executive Specialist