get around Prestige pack 3-4 week wait?
 

I am going to be travelling at the end of July from Cleveland to Winnipeg for 9 days and thought I'd be clever and buy one of the Prestige pack today and use the $99 companion ticket for my husband to save on the cost.

When I phoned in to buy the pack and use the companion ticket immediately, I was told that I have to wait 3-4 weeks for the physical certificate to come in the mail before I can use it, which makes it too late for this flight. Of course, the packs don't come from the call center so I couldn't get them just to pull one for me and use it on the spot, and the call center rep, while polite, couldn't think of any way for them to accomodate my need to get it now.

Anyone know a work around for this? I know it's a long shot but I figured I couldn't lose anything for asking.

Thanks!

BTW Continental - if you are reading this, please add the 3-4 week wait onto your web information. I would have bought the Prestige pack much earlier and wouldn't be facing this problem today.

I live in CO's hometown of Houston and asked the very same question. I needed them quick and said I would stop by to pick them up. :p However, it's my understanding the packs are printed in batches of hundreds at a time to reduce costs. Therefore they don't just send them out as sson as you order. :( You do get immediate FF mileage depending on the level of package you buy. ;)

Welcome to FT!

I received mine last September in a week and a half. I have also read posts of others receiving them in about the same time frame. Below is a link to a long thread on this topic. There are many others as well that you can find by using the search function.

If your trip is the end of July, it is going to be tight. You also face the risk of the ticket prices increasing the longer you wait to book your flights. You may end up negating any savings from the cert due to the higher fare classes as you approach the flight date.

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...=prestige+pack

Not that long a wait...
 

Even though the rep told me that it might take about 3-4 weeks for the pack to arrive, it did within 10-odd days. You still might make the July trip.

I'm not positive about this, but I'm pretty sure that the $99 certificate is only for flights within the 48 states. The up to $100 off certificate is good anywhere.

That's the good news about the Prestige Pack - it does cover Canada. I think I'll just have to suck this one up this time but order the pack anyway for use another time. We have family in Canada so I'm sure it will be useful at some point.

Thanks for all your answers.