I haven't seen this discussed on the board, so thought I would pass it on. Was on Smarter Living's website.

Continental is the latest travel provider to announce that the lowest prices for its services will only be available through its own website, instead of through third-party travel providers like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. The airline plans to back up the new policy with a price-matching program and an offer of a $100 travel voucher if you find a cheaper Continental ticket through another online source.

A Continental spokesperson says that the new policy is designed to "give people confidence that they won't have to hunt around for the lowest fares." The airline's press release also states that not only will customers be eligible for 1,000 bonus miles for online bookings, they won't have to pay the booking fees that are often associated with third-party sites. Even so, the new policy should make you want to shop around even more, rather than restricting yourself to Continental's website.

How the offer works:
Buy a ticket through continental.com.


If you find a price at least $10 lower for the same flight, on the same day, in the same class of service, elswhere online, Continental will pay the difference and offer a $100 travel voucher for a future flight. This offer is only valid on flights operated and marketed by Continental, which means that codeshare flights do not apply.


To file a claim, call 800-490-2021 by midnight Central Time on the day you book. When you call, be very clear about where you found the lower price, because you'll only be eligible for the offer if a Continental representative can verify the price. You may want to print out the price for your own reference, but you can't send other forms of proof to the airline like faxes, e-mails, or screen captures.


If your claim is accepted, Continental will refund you the difference and send your $100 travel voucher. For more information, go to Continental's website.
While the new policy is designed to let consumers trust that they'll find the lowest fares at continental.com, it doesn't mean you should stop shopping around, since other airlines might beat Continental's lowest price on your route.

That's because you haven't looked:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum20/HTML/010173.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum20/HTML/009196.html

Maybe I don't have time to search the entire board every time I post something. I was trying to do people a favor. By the way, one of those threads Upgrademe forwarded is for an offer that is EXPIRED!

[This message has been edited by Debbiejo (edited Mar 01, 2004).]

Thanks for your input, Debbiejo! I appreciate it!

You are welcome.

Thanks again for posting Debbiejo.

I do not think Upgrademe meant his comments to sound as sarcastic as they do - at least I give people the benefit of the doubt.

In my short few weeks here on the board - I have noticed several *****y or demeaning or condescending remarks made to my posts and others - just like yours.

I try to believe that all people are good and do not mean for their comments to sound like they do.

So I just ignore ALL of the crap and take from FT and give to FT what I think is best.

Hope you can do the same.

Kepp up the posts.

Nicksterguy

I also appreciate your posting this. I just found a cheaper fare on orbitz.com for a ticket I purchased on continental.com yesterday that meets the rules (about $15 cheaper all-in) and called Continental right away. I had not seen news of this though knew that the hotels are offering it.

And? Did you get you4 $100?

Upgrademe has done this before, specifically to me, ingnore him Debbiejo. Thanks for the post.

[This message has been edited by Spesh (edited Mar 02, 2004).]

So - did you get the $100 bonus?

We're waiting (at least I'm turning blue from holding my breath) with baited breath.

EmailKid

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I am NOT a tin elite! Then again, what the hell do I know?

in all honesty, there is some deliberate sarcasm in UpgradeMe's posts....which I believe is appropriate. That IS why they invented the Search button after all.

Debbiejo:

Thanks for the information. While there are/were other threads, this is the first I have "heard" about the voucher guarantee.

Again, thanks for the post.

Safe travels,
Mark