Cash Payment Option Available for Reservations Made Online at continental.com
Jan 8, 2004, 8:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY Metro
Programs: SPG Titanium, United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,601
Cash Payment Option Available for Reservations Made Online at continental.com
Just in:
DENVER, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) has made it easier for Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) travelers to pay for their airfare using cash instead of credit cards. Starting immediately, Continental Airlines' customers traveling in the domestic U.S. and Canada can make use of a new, easy-to-use cash payment alternative when using continental.com to book flights online.
The collaborative service offering, provided by Western Union and Continental Airlines, will broaden consumer payment options and convenience for those who choose to send cash payments. Cash payment options allow consumers to send their payment for electronic airline tickets at any of nearly 45,000 Western Union Agent locations nationwide after reserving a ticket online. Many Western Union locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Although electronic payments continue to increase in all industries, more than a quarter of Americans still prefer to pay for products and services in cash, either out of choice or necessity," said Christina Gold, president, Western Union Financial Services. "By providing travelers a cash payment alternative, we are offering convenient options for consumers, while providing guaranteed funds for the airlines without adding to their costs."
Thirty-two percent of Americans prefer to pay for their purchases with cash(i), and 23 million American households do not have credit cards(ii) -- demonstrating the potential impact for airlines to tap this cash-based audience. Also, while up to 40 percent of requests for remote credit card authorizations for purchases are rejected, 45 percent of customers with credit cards are within five percent of their credit limit(iii). Thus, as consumers continue to purchase more airline tickets online, and the airline industry continues to streamline costs by closing city ticket offices, there is a real need for this type of payment service.
"This cash payment program is yet another example of our relentless commitment to customer satisfaction," said Jim Compton, senior vice president marketing, Continental Airlines. "We are continuously looking for new and innovative ways to make it easy for our customers to book and fly with Continental, and this new cash payment service with Western Union will do just that."
How it works:
When travelers book a flight on Continental they can then choose to send a cash payment for their reservation, instead of using a credit card.
After the flight is booked, consumers will be given a confirmation number to take to a Western Union Agent location. Tickets must be paid for in full, within 24 hours, to guarantee the reservation.
At the Western Union Agent location, consumers fill out a "Blue Quick Collect" form and give it to the Agent clerk along with their cash payment and a nominal service fee.
The Western Union Agent sends the payment to Continental Airlines and verifies the transaction through Continental's reservation system within minutes.
Customers receive a detailed Western Union receipt and confirmation number as proof that the payment was sent to Continental Airlines for their electronic ticket.
On the date of departure, customers can obtain their boarding pass from any Continental Airlines eService Center kiosks, or by using its Check-in feature on www.continental.com anytime between one hour to 30 hours in advance of the flight departure
DENVER, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) has made it easier for Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) travelers to pay for their airfare using cash instead of credit cards. Starting immediately, Continental Airlines' customers traveling in the domestic U.S. and Canada can make use of a new, easy-to-use cash payment alternative when using continental.com to book flights online.
The collaborative service offering, provided by Western Union and Continental Airlines, will broaden consumer payment options and convenience for those who choose to send cash payments. Cash payment options allow consumers to send their payment for electronic airline tickets at any of nearly 45,000 Western Union Agent locations nationwide after reserving a ticket online. Many Western Union locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Although electronic payments continue to increase in all industries, more than a quarter of Americans still prefer to pay for products and services in cash, either out of choice or necessity," said Christina Gold, president, Western Union Financial Services. "By providing travelers a cash payment alternative, we are offering convenient options for consumers, while providing guaranteed funds for the airlines without adding to their costs."
Thirty-two percent of Americans prefer to pay for their purchases with cash(i), and 23 million American households do not have credit cards(ii) -- demonstrating the potential impact for airlines to tap this cash-based audience. Also, while up to 40 percent of requests for remote credit card authorizations for purchases are rejected, 45 percent of customers with credit cards are within five percent of their credit limit(iii). Thus, as consumers continue to purchase more airline tickets online, and the airline industry continues to streamline costs by closing city ticket offices, there is a real need for this type of payment service.
"This cash payment program is yet another example of our relentless commitment to customer satisfaction," said Jim Compton, senior vice president marketing, Continental Airlines. "We are continuously looking for new and innovative ways to make it easy for our customers to book and fly with Continental, and this new cash payment service with Western Union will do just that."
How it works:
When travelers book a flight on Continental they can then choose to send a cash payment for their reservation, instead of using a credit card.
After the flight is booked, consumers will be given a confirmation number to take to a Western Union Agent location. Tickets must be paid for in full, within 24 hours, to guarantee the reservation.
At the Western Union Agent location, consumers fill out a "Blue Quick Collect" form and give it to the Agent clerk along with their cash payment and a nominal service fee.
The Western Union Agent sends the payment to Continental Airlines and verifies the transaction through Continental's reservation system within minutes.
Customers receive a detailed Western Union receipt and confirmation number as proof that the payment was sent to Continental Airlines for their electronic ticket.
On the date of departure, customers can obtain their boarding pass from any Continental Airlines eService Center kiosks, or by using its Check-in feature on www.continental.com anytime between one hour to 30 hours in advance of the flight departure
Jan 8, 2004, 9:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Salt Lake City
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Posts: 546
Don't terrorists like to pay with cash?
Jan 8, 2004, 9:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
Don't be surprised if you get SSSSSSS'd on your boarding pass.
(or maybe $$$$$$$'d)
p.s.
What percentage of those 23 million housholds without credit cards do you suppose have computers and internet connections? And of those, how many do you suppose would travel by air?
[This message has been edited by snake (edited Jan 08, 2004).]
(or maybe $$$$$$$'d)
p.s.
What percentage of those 23 million housholds without credit cards do you suppose have computers and internet connections? And of those, how many do you suppose would travel by air?
[This message has been edited by snake (edited Jan 08, 2004).]
Jan 9, 2004, 5:47 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,763
sure sounds ridiculously messy and incovenient for all parties involved....
Jan 9, 2004, 7:28 am
#5
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,446
Ya, right .....
I'll book online to get the online booking bonus, then I'll take the bus to the local Western Union to stand in line to pay for the ticket.
Believe this proves beyond any reasonable doubt that CO is run by space aliens.
EmaiKid
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Then again, what the hell do I know?
I'll book online to get the online booking bonus, then I'll take the bus to the local Western Union to stand in line to pay for the ticket.
Believe this proves beyond any reasonable doubt that CO is run by space aliens.
EmaiKid
------------------
Then again, what the hell do I know?