In the most recent statement's Update newsletter, CO seems to be following the trend of the major hotel chains (Starwood comes to mind) with their "Lowest Fare Guaranteed" program.

Seems like a positive change if it actually works. At least we won't lose 100% EQM's if co.com doesn't have the lowest fare. The details are as follows:

1. Purchase your ticket at continental.com.
2. If you find a lower published retail price online for the same Continental flight, itinerary, and class of service that is $10 or more lower than the fare purchased on the same day (defined as within 24 hours) of your original purchase, call 1-800-300-1547 and file your claim.
3. We'll refund the difference and give you a $100 Electronic Travel Certificate toward a future Continental Flight if we can verify the lower fare online.

Seems like an enhancement to me, and a real one at that. Bravo, CO! For once, you have actually impressed me.

[This message has been edited by Cory6188 (edited Jan 24, 2004).]

this sounds good...although after i purchase a ticket on CO.O.L i don't think i am going to spend more time looking for better fares AFTER i already plunked down my credit card.

i guess if i found a lower fare on travelocity, i might deliberately purchase on CO.O.L for the freebie certificate, but also not sure if i would take the risk. Continental is good at finding loopholes to their promise.

I cannot find this at co.com, where exactly did you find this?

You're right, it doesn't say it online. If you get paper statements from OP, it is listed in the newsletter. Apparently, it doesn't start until February 1st - maybe that's when they'll post it online.

Exactly.

But I almost always look on Travelocity first, because virtually ALL of my travel is leisure, and traveling on my own dime I want the best fare. And since it's my own vacation time, it's a little more flexible.

However, unlike hotel reservations, I have NEVER found a fare on Travelocity lower than CO.com EXCEPT sometimes when I put in EFD - IAH puddlejumper into the equation, then the fare can take a 200 - 300 bump at CO.com.

EmailKid

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Then again, what the hell do I know?

I flew the family to Scotland last year, kept looking at co.com and price was $1000. Orbitz was same, BUT showed KLM at $700. Of course, got full EQM etc. Maybe, the idea now is to make it so that we are penalized for taking a partner's cheaper fares?
Most of these recent changes do nothing to strengthen any of the alliances. Personally, I think CO/KLM/NW should dump Delta and go back to the way things were.

bingo! precisely why I can't book routings on NW anymore that price lower from another vendor than CO. NW will support the routings I want and price out the itinerary with a rate at or below CO for the same flights. Now I have to book at co.com, I can't even get the routing, let alone be able to get a reasonably priced fare.

It's either take what co.com dishes out, or pay $200 more for a V fare. Thanks CO!

Guys, the wording is vague. Is it CO METAL or CO FLIGHT NUMBER. If it is flight number, the buy the much cheaper ticket on NWA.com won't work as it won't be a Continental flight!

cigarman,

believe that is exactly bocastephen's point.

EmailKid

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Then again, what the hell do I know?

I think I'm having deja vu ... didn't CO run this in November or December? At that time the "guarantee" was only for a limited time and it also required that you *register* for the promo prior to purchasing your tickets.

You'll Always Find the Lowest Fare at continental.com. Guaranteed.

The enhancement returns.

[This message has been edited by snake (edited Jan 26, 2004).]

what if you purchase a ticket on CO and then the exact same flights are on NWA.com for $200 less? same aircraft and times, just with NW flight numbers and a lower price. that seems like it would be a loophole. its happened to me twice in the past.

for years, CO would refund the difference (with travel certs) if you found your exact flights/dates cheaper, at any time after purchase and prior to dept. I had done it quite a few times. I called requesting this for my flight last xmas (it dropped $125)and they acted like i nuts. kept saying that was never their policy. anyone else have this happen to them?

Yes, that is exactly my point. We are either forced to pay high fares, or forced to book on co.com with its limited routings. If we find another option with NW that has exactly the same aircraft but with NW flight numbers, we are out of luck. Alot of times you can find better routings and fares on expedia/orbitz, but with codeshare or mixed-itinerary flights.

The problem stems from the whole EQM mess to begin with. If the cost of distribution is so low on the web, then why not coordinate with the partners to allow all tickets bought from any of the partner's websites to earn 100% EQM regardless of what metal or flight number you are on. All the present situation does is create confusion and customer resentment.

Not to mention enough loopholes for the "Lowest Fare. Guaranteed" program to make it all but worthless.

My point is it is unclear which way the rules read. It could be viewed as on CO metal. What defines a CO flight? The name on the plane or the flight number?