Dovster

I was very surprised to get a Presidents Club membership card, good through 2/11, in the mail today.

It was accompanied by a letter which said, "Continental Airlines is pleased to offer a complimentary Presidents Club membership to you" and added, "this is one of the numerous benefits you receive as one of our OnePass Platinum Elite members and resident of Israel".

This was one heck of a smart PR move by Continental -- and most likely will not wind up costing it any money.

As a Plat, I am already entitled to lounge access whenever I fly internationally -- and except for a limited number of domestic flights by Israeli companies, every flight which originates or ends in Israel is an international one.

About the only time the Presidents Club membership will come in handy is if I fly to the States, have one or more stopovers in various cities, and then fly back. In these cases, which are quite rare (both for me and most other Israelis), I will be able to get into the PC without paying.

Still, the gesture was greatly appreciated and makes it much more likely that I will choose CO for future flights (I was given the Platinum Elite status in a match offer after earning PM on Delta).

I do have one question, however, and was unable to find the answer on the CO website: Do I have to be flying CO to get into the Presidents Club or can I be traveling on any airline that day?

Hartmann

If you have a Presidents Club card, you do not need to be flying CO the day you access it.

Also, you have access to the UA Red Carpet Clubs with a PC membership.

star_world

You can be travelling on any airline that day, or not flying at all. If the CO PC is in a different terminal, you can request a gate pass to gain access to the PC.

Your point above about domestic vs. international flights doesn't matter at all anywhere outside the US - all non-US *A airlines allow *Gold (and *Lounge like PC) members access when travelling on any *A flight that day.

channa

And also US Airways clubs.

ctownflyer

You can also bring in 2 guests with a PC membership.

Plus you can theoretically get a gate pass through security if you ever need lounge access without flying. You just need to remember GG Checkpoint line 53 or else you'll be in for fight to get that benefit

frenchykarl

So we have seen in other threads that this policy is also in effect for EU residents. Have any other international CO elites received this benefit? Canadians? Anyone in Asia?

Solly223

Does this include Gold Elites?
Does anyone know if they are going to be sent to all EU residents with Plat and Golds

GIGFY

Recent posts in other thread confirm receipt in Seoul & Taipei. I guess Canadian residents are excluded, as being too close to US (geographically, at least)?

I could be wrong, but believe only Plats with non-N. American addresses are getting these complimentary PC memberships now (as I did yesterday, separately from my new PE card). It looks as if Golds may be missing out.

I do hope I am wrong, as will probably travel less this year, and might struggle to retain PE.

eluknicki

I just recieved my card a few days ago.... Plat in EU ( Italy)

sweetkiddddo

moving to isreal, at least virtually!!

keisari

Seriously; I live in the US and have a mailing address I can use in Israel; Will it be obvious to them very quickly that I am not a resident of Israel? or do you think the computer will not notice a difference (based on where all my flights originate)

worldwidedreamer

I wonder whether PC members must fly CO to use the DAN lounge in TLV. Anyone know? It is the only third party non-airline lounge available on Co.com I think.

sweetkiddddo

If their only requirement is to have an Isreal address then its simple. CO can't discriminate unless they establish other requirements and document it. We are just little sheeps playing their game. If this works, it may actually give me incentive to keep Platinum this year even though I haven't bought a single ticket on CO since Jan.

SirJman

Seoul-based Plat, and nothing for me!

Dovster

I am certain that you can get away with it but be prepared for Israel to also believe it and start giving you 30 days a year Army reserve duty.