Flyertalk shines as source of assistance and reassurance for travellers. Thanks to sound advice from contributors to the Continental forum, my trip to and around the US on CO went extremely well, in spite of my end-of-the -alphabet fare class.

OK, that's except for getting all subsequent sectors cancelled after UA changed a code-share flight mid-itinerary. A moment of blind panic when my onlone check-in was refused, followed by a competent call-centre representative reinstating the reservations.

I was impressed by how helpful the cabin crews were in coping with the onboard chaos of carry-ons. I was pleased to find STAR-goldness recognised at all lounges and boarding gates. EWR President lounge was a joy to use, probably because it was a Sunday morning and it has great views of the tarmac. The hamburgers and sandwiches were fine for onboard sustenance, although I wasn't too thrilled by $5 a drink even on the transatlantic sectors