Hmm, well I guess I'll have to reduce considerably my 1-in-a-million guess.

Maybe the 6-digit portion isn't that random? I do know that when I requested 4 new OP numbers recently (for employees under RewardOne) the numbers were like this:
JQ501689
JQ501690
JQ501691
JQ501692

On the other hand, my OP number (from Eastern Airlines days) has the year in the 6-digit portion, i.e. JQ661187-- which I always figured wasn't a coincidence.

Anyone else see any "logic" in their OP number that would lead you to believe the numeric portion isn't random?

My eastern airlines issue one pass number clearly does NOT have the year as part of the number... sorry to kill your theory.

it really wasn't that important to me.

Originally posted by NJDavid:
Actually, there is no speculation needed regarding the priority queues; they DO exist. Unless, of course, the VP of Reservations that I sat next to on a flight last year lied to me - but of course, we all know that anything that an Executive from CO says is a lie, right?

It is not naive of me to believe queues exist, and perhaps it is narrow-minded of you, David, to believe (or want to believe) that they don't.

I do admit, as I indicated in my previous post, that it is pure speculation on my part what relationship, if any, exists between the entry of OP Number/Zip Code by caller and the priority queues.

Continental used to have three large telephone centers.

After 9/11 one (I believe Tampa) was completely closed down. There are now less telephone agents, not more. None of them, repeat NONE are dedicated just to eiltes. (This is not to say they are doing a bad job under the cirsumstances. Much to their credit, on CO it is much easier to get through to a human than on many other airlines today.)

CO elite literature discusses an "Elite Priority Line" to access "Elite member services", then lists the same touch tone menu one would receive if you called the general 800 number for Continental. If you touch-tone all your numbers in perfectly, and call volumes allow for optimal routing, you may get an agent who sees your name on the screen because of the entry. That is no more an Elite agent than my grandmother is.

The simple truth about the elite line is that after you punch in all your numbers, you get a shot at an agent who may know you are elite and also may not. You then have just as much chance of getting anything done correctly as you did if you hadn't flown any miles on CO. And as everyone has said over and over again, if you don't like what you hear from an agent, hang-up, the next one might be better. Keep trying till you get an agent that can do what you need.

And while I may be narrow minded in any number of opinions, that is just the truth based on the facts. I'd be happy to admit it is any different if anyone has any proof otherwise.

And none of that changes the fact that there are priority queues for elites.

I meant no disrespect originally, nor do I now. While I would not debate that statement, it all depends on what your definitions of "priority" and "priority queues" are. Or (in the words of Bill) what your definition if "is" is.

Because other than semantics, if the agent treats you like a non-elite, the agent is not specially trained to handle an elite, and the airline makes no effort to create anything but a seperate phone number for it's elites, I fail to see what the priority is. 3 rings instead of 5? Maybe knowing my name?

When I call the Hilton Diamond desk, I get someone who knows they are speaking to Hilton's best customer, someone that is set aside just for that purpose, and someone who does what they have to to ensure my satisfaction. NOT someone who 50% of the time I have to explain the rules to.


[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 10-28-2001).]

I agree that perhaps this is simply a matter of semantics.

To me, an Elite Priority Line is just that, a different line that gives Elites priority - plain and simply, their calls get answered faster. I don't remember reading anywhere that CO was advertising an Elite Desk or any such service, it's an Elite Priority Line.

Elite calls are answered faster than other calls, and it would be technologically possible to transfer to a non-priority queue a caller who enters bogus OP #/Zip Code on the Elite Priority Line.

My stance here is not meant to indicate that I disagree with arguments that we should have an Elite Desk - I believe we should. Matter of fact, I believe I have indicated so to Boomer whenever he has solicited feedback here for his annual letter or conversation or whatever that is he does around Freddies time.

However, I have always understood the benefit offered to be a priority queue, meaning my call gets answered faster, and I know that benefit is there and I like it.

Despite inputting proper OP# and zip. I have never been greeted by name. If checking on a flight upgrade, and don't have the confirmation number, I have always had to provide the flight number and my name.

I concur that the 525 number is often faster. If we are elite, why do we need to have the introductory message about potentially cheaper fares on the internet? Couldn't they just include this in the elite package?

The internet disclaimer is part of the deal with the government. They promised to always quote the lowest fare on the phone... well they are telling you that the real lowest fare is probably on their website. Just a required disclaimer.

NJDavid, do you actually have a reliable source for any of this information, or are you just speculating (as usual)?

let me know what information is in question and I'll attempt to find the source.

The closing of the phone center, the agent that takes elite and none elite calls, the need to call back until you get an answer that is acceptable, etc. are all widely known, but I can attempt to get a source for you if you have a specific issue.

Here's one specific piece of information that is in question:

What is your source for this information? We know that at certain times of the day, there are no dedicated elite agents on duty, and perhaps that at any time of the day, it's possible for a call on the elite line to be handled by regular agents, but neither of these speak to what you said: "NONE are dedicated just to elites." Why do you think this is true? Do you think that this was always the case, or that this has changed after 9/11?

[This message has been edited by Steve M (edited 10-30-2001).]

I thought the Tampa center was still open.

I'm pretty sure when I called last week I got the Tampa rez center....

My source for that is a terriffic gentleman who used to run the Continental Loyalty marketing programs. Look for his signature on any marketing offers you would have received say a year or two ago. He no longer works for Continental.

That was his direct answer to that question when I asked him more than a year ago.

If you need to find out who he was, e-mail me or ask around.

And thanks jetsetter777, you are correct and I am mistaken - Tampa is still open, Denver was closed...and the count was four and now is three.

http://www.continental.com/dash/buil..._2001-09-20-01


[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 10-30-2001).]