Originally Posted by
CO Insider
Hi Everyone,
As I posted last week, we'll be making some changes to our policy for same-day flight changes. These changes are now posted on
continental.com, and will go into effect on June 19th. Here are the key points of the new policy:
- 12-Hour Window.You’ll be able to confirm same-day flight changes within 24 hours of your original scheduled departure. Within this 24-hour “same-day” window, you’ll be able to change to any flight up to 12 hours before its departure for the discounted fee. Previously, we only allowed you to choose from flights departing within 3 hours.
- New Fee Structure. The discounted change fee will be $50, or $25 for OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members. This fee will apply to all itineraries wholly operated by Continental, including Continental Express, Continental Connection and Continental Micronesia. If you’re on an unrestricted ticket, same-day changes will be free of charge if seats are available. The fees are the same as were announced back in April, but the 50% discount for OnePass Platinum and Gold members is new.
- Ability to handle via Online Check-in. Starting June 24th, the ability to request same-day flight changes will be available when checking in at continental.com. Later this year, we’re also planning to add this capability to our mobile check-in via pda.continental.com.
- New Rules for Voluntary Standby. If there are no seats available to be confirmed you can still stand by, but the same fee will apply. In these cases, you’ll only be charged if you clear on an earlier flight. Previously, the same-day change fee didn’t apply to voluntary standby. When standing by due to involuntary circumstances (i.e. irregular operations), the fee does not apply.
If you have any questions that aren’t already addressed in our
online FAQ, please post them here. While this change isn't meant to be one of our
6 in 6, this is an important and necessary change for us to make. We at least hope you’ll agree that the expanded 12-hour window and the ability to handle these changes online will be beneficial.
OK, I have some questions and gripes. I just tried to change my flight tomorrow afternoon to a slightly earlier one. Here's what I found:
1) No offer to do that at online checkin. "Starting June 24th, the ability to request same-day flight changes will be available when checking in at continental.com. " Bah, humbug.
2) Scott, you said "You’ll be able to confirm same-day flight changes within 24 hours of your original scheduled departure. Within this 24-hour “same-day” window,
you’ll be able to change to any flight up to 12 hours before its departure for the discounted fee."
I was just told by an Elite agent that their guidelines preclude me getting the earlier flight because my original class of service is not available.
NOWHERE in either your statement or the explanation of this and associated FAQs on Continental.com is this mentioned. What's up with that?
I am not a happy camper.