FAQ for Continental, OnePass and Life's Greater Mysteries
Nov 19, 2006, 2:58 am
#16
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
How do I know if a flight operates in a BusinessFirst market? (D.3)
Answer these simple questions:
1) Are you crossing the Atlantic Ocean during your flight? If yes you are on a BusinessFirst route. If no go to the next question.
2) Are you crossing the Pacific Ocean during your flight (excluding to/from Hawaii and Guam)? If yes you are on a BusinessFirst Route. If no go to the next question.
3) Are you flying to/from Hawaii? If yes, are you flying on a wide-body plane? If yes to both you are on a BusinessFirst route. If you are on a narrow-body plane you are not on a BusinessFirst route.
4) Are you flying to/from Guam? If yes, are you flying on a wide-body plane and NOT to/from Narita (NRT)? If yes to both you are on a BusinessFirst route. If you are on a narrow-body plane or if you are flying to/from NRT you are not on a BusinessFirst route.
5) Are you flying to Peru, Argentina or Brazil on Continental metal (not Copa)? If yes you are on a BusinessFirst route. If no you are not on a BusinessFirst route.
Please note: the aircraft servicing your route may be equipped with a BusinessFirst cabin (e.g. a 777 flying IAH-EWR or a 752 flying EWR-SDQ). However, since the flight operates in a non-BusinessFirst market elite members are still eligible for their complimentary upgrade.
Should your itinerary have a combination of BF marketed and non-BF marketed flights you will still be eligible for a EUA on the non-BF marketed flights. Here are a few brief examples:
1) Are you crossing the Atlantic Ocean during your flight? If yes you are on a BusinessFirst route. If no go to the next question.
2) Are you crossing the Pacific Ocean during your flight (excluding to/from Hawaii and Guam)? If yes you are on a BusinessFirst Route. If no go to the next question.
3) Are you flying to/from Hawaii? If yes, are you flying on a wide-body plane? If yes to both you are on a BusinessFirst route. If you are on a narrow-body plane you are not on a BusinessFirst route.
4) Are you flying to/from Guam? If yes, are you flying on a wide-body plane and NOT to/from Narita (NRT)? If yes to both you are on a BusinessFirst route. If you are on a narrow-body plane or if you are flying to/from NRT you are not on a BusinessFirst route.
5) Are you flying to Peru, Argentina or Brazil on Continental metal (not Copa)? If yes you are on a BusinessFirst route. If no you are not on a BusinessFirst route.
Please note: the aircraft servicing your route may be equipped with a BusinessFirst cabin (e.g. a 777 flying IAH-EWR or a 752 flying EWR-SDQ). However, since the flight operates in a non-BusinessFirst market elite members are still eligible for their complimentary upgrade.
Should your itinerary have a combination of BF marketed and non-BF marketed flights you will still be eligible for a EUA on the non-BF marketed flights. Here are a few brief examples:
Example 1: You booked a ticket to go from PDX to TXL via EWR. The PDX-EWR flight (with domestic First Class service) would be eligible for a EUA but the EWR-TXL one (with BusinessFirst service) would not.
Example 2: You booked a ticket to go from FRA to SXM via EWR. You would not be eligible for an upgrade on the FRA-EWR flight (with BusinessFirst service) but would be eligible for a EUA on the EWR-SXM flight (with International Business service).
The CO website is known for being slightly "confused" as to whether a route is BF service or not since some BF-equipped planes are operated on non-BF routes. If your flight is operated by a 767 or 777 and is not an EWR-IAH routing (or other lower-48 flight, though there are none regularly scheduled) it is almost certainly BF-marketed. The only current exception to this is the GUM-NRT flights operated on 767s by CO Micronesia. The 757-200s make things a bit more confusing, but the general answer for those flights is that it is only a BF flight if it is between EWR and a European destination or Lima, Peru. No other 752 flights are currently BF marketed and therefore they are all EUA-eligible. This includes any LAX-HNL flights. Now that the 73E is also working that route the flights are EUA-able regardles of which equipment operates them.Example 2: You booked a ticket to go from FRA to SXM via EWR. You would not be eligible for an upgrade on the FRA-EWR flight (with BusinessFirst service) but would be eligible for a EUA on the EWR-SXM flight (with International Business service).
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:11 am
Nov 19, 2006, 3:19 am
#17
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Will I receive a complimentary elite upgrade? (D.4)
There is no way to answer this question with certainty, but you can estimate the chances with the following information.
First, are you traveling with a companion (or are there multiple people in your reservation?)
Secondly, what fare class are you in?
Finally, transcon upgrades are exceedingly rare, even for CO Platinums
First, are you traveling with a companion (or are there multiple people in your reservation?)
Secondly, what fare class are you in?
Start by looking at the Continental Fare Bucket List. The higher fare class you're in, the better, it's a sliding scale.
Platinum on an H fare? You're in nearly the best shape you can be.
Gold on a U fare? Depends on the route.
Silver on an L fare? You're in terrible shape. It's probably not going to happen.
The only exception to this are the "instant" full Y upgrades for elite members. A Continental elite member traveling on a full Y or B fare will be cleared before elite traveling Non–Full–Y/B fares. Also, CO Platinums on M fares can have an instant upgrade applied at the time of ticketing if AN inventory is available.
Thirdly, what equipment are you flying?Platinum on an H fare? You're in nearly the best shape you can be.
Gold on a U fare? Depends on the route.
Silver on an L fare? You're in terrible shape. It's probably not going to happen.
The only exception to this are the "instant" full Y upgrades for elite members. A Continental elite member traveling on a full Y or B fare will be cleared before elite traveling Non–Full–Y/B fares. Also, CO Platinums on M fares can have an instant upgrade applied at the time of ticketing if AN inventory is available.
Some aircraft have more F seats than others, relative to the number of Y seats.
In descending order of preference, here is every plane in CO's fleet that currently serve routes that offer complimentary upgrades. Lower numbers are better; think of it this way, there is one F seat for every 7.33 Y seats on the 738 with mid–cabin lav. Beware, though! Planes with more F seats or those equipped with BusinessFirst seats (777, 767, 764, 752) may draw more savvy Elites looking to score an upgrade!
M: Mid–cabin lav version
** BusinessFirst seats! May attract a lot of savvy elite flyers.
~ High density 767-400 flown by CO Micronesia; often shows up on HNL-US Mainland and HNL-Asia destinations. It has also been recently spotted on various US Mainland-Europe runs (EWR-MAD comes to mind as an example).
Red planes types are currently undergoing renovations to increase the capacity of the FC cabin by 2 seats. The 738 (non mid lav) will have a total of 16F seats, the 738 (mid lav) and 739 will have 20F seats when the process is finished.
Fourthly, check the inventoryIn descending order of preference, here is every plane in CO's fleet that currently serve routes that offer complimentary upgrades. Lower numbers are better; think of it this way, there is one F seat for every 7.33 Y seats on the 738 with mid–cabin lav. Beware, though! Planes with more F seats or those equipped with BusinessFirst seats (777, 767, 764, 752) may draw more savvy Elites looking to score an upgrade!
Code:
A/C J/F Y Y/F Ratio
777** 50 235 4.70
764** 35 200 5.71
762** 25 149 5.96
738M 20 132 6.60 After reconfiguration
738M 18 132 7.33
753 24 19 8.00
739 20 149 7.45 After reconfiguration
73E 20 153 7.65
739 18 149 8.28
738 16 141 8.81 After reconfiguration
73G 12 112 9.33
752** 16 156 9.75
738 14 141 10.07
767~ 20 233 11.65
735 8 106 13.25
ER3 0 37 n/a
ER4 0 50 n/a
CRJ 0 50 n/a
M: Mid–cabin lav version
** BusinessFirst seats! May attract a lot of savvy elite flyers.
~ High density 767-400 flown by CO Micronesia; often shows up on HNL-US Mainland and HNL-Asia destinations. It has also been recently spotted on various US Mainland-Europe runs (EWR-MAD comes to mind as an example).
Red planes types are currently undergoing renovations to increase the capacity of the FC cabin by 2 seats. The 738 (non mid lav) will have a total of 16F seats, the 738 (mid lav) and 739 will have 20F seats when the process is finished.
Check the fare classes up front to see how many seats are left. Seat maps will not do the trick. Do not rely on seatmaps. The KVS Tool (subscription), Expertflyer (subscription), PTT (free) and www.SeatCounter.com all provide services to look at seat bucket availability. The master class for first class seats on CO is "F" (do not confuse this with "J" the master class for seats sold as BusinessFirst). The subset of "F" that keeps track of seats available for EUA upgrades is "R". For battlefield upgrades, "R" seats are not entirely relevant, open first class seats are given out in the order set out in the Battlefield Upgrade post when the gate opens one hour before departure.
Continental does not "publish" R availability, however, and there are currently no publicly available tools that can query this bucket. Querying the R bucket therefore requires a bit of legwork. The most effective method currently available is to use continental.com and attempt to book a flight using the Advanced Search page. On that page at the very bottom there is a checkbox for OnePass Reward Upgrade. If you check that box it will query the R bucket. If the inventory is available your search results will include flights that have the price + miles listed and it will indicate that the upgrade is available. If no R inventory is available the results will indicate that no upgrade seats are there. This is slow and somewhat painful, but it seems to be the only option available to the public right now. To determine how many seats are in the R bucket you should repeat the search, increasing the number of passengers in the reservation until the results no longer indicate that the upgrade is available. Also note that if you are a non-Elite you must specify the fare bucket that you want to search, as the least expensive buckets are closed to upgrades for non-Elites. The easiest solution is to specify a M fare in the search, as just about every route has such a fare and it should have availability in most cases.
The upgrade flirtContinental does not "publish" R availability, however, and there are currently no publicly available tools that can query this bucket. Querying the R bucket therefore requires a bit of legwork. The most effective method currently available is to use continental.com and attempt to book a flight using the Advanced Search page. On that page at the very bottom there is a checkbox for OnePass Reward Upgrade. If you check that box it will query the R bucket. If the inventory is available your search results will include flights that have the price + miles listed and it will indicate that the upgrade is available. If no R inventory is available the results will indicate that no upgrade seats are there. This is slow and somewhat painful, but it seems to be the only option available to the public right now. To determine how many seats are in the R bucket you should repeat the search, increasing the number of passengers in the reservation until the results no longer indicate that the upgrade is available. Also note that if you are a non-Elite you must specify the fare bucket that you want to search, as the least expensive buckets are closed to upgrades for non-Elites. The easiest solution is to specify a M fare in the search, as just about every route has such a fare and it should have availability in most cases.
Finally, transcon upgrades are exceedingly rare, even for CO Platinums
CO often sells all the seats up front on transcons in advance, leaving little for EUA, let alone battlefield. Sometimes transcon F is sold out a week or two in advance!
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:46 am
Nov 19, 2006, 3:51 am
#18
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
What is the upgrade hierarchy for EUAs?
- Presidential Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver on a Y fares are upgraded, assuming space, at time of ticketing
- Presidential Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver on a B fares are upgraded, assuming space, at time of ticketing
- Presidential Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver --> Non-Elite Passengers holding unconfirmed mileage upgrades starting 5 days before flight
- Presidential Platinums starting 6 days before the flight; Presidential Platinums are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
- Platinums starting 5 days before flight if all eligible Presidential Platinums have already been upgraded; Platinums are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
- Golds, starting 3 days before flight if all eligible Platinums have already been upgraded; Golds are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
- Silver, starting one day before flight if all eligible Platinums and Golds have already been upgraded; Silvers are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
To resolve any same elite level/same fare class tie, preference is given based on the time of ticket purchase, with the earliest purchase given priority.
For upgrades at the airport please see: Upgrade Hierarchy for Battle Field Upgrades
Prior to departure there are several specific windows during which a potential EUA will be processed. These are based on elite status and fare class booked as reported:
What happens if my Elite Status Changes?- 144 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum only
- 120 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum & Platinum only
- 96 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum & Platinum only
- 72 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum & Gold only
- 48 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum & Gold only
- 24 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum, Gold & Silver
- 3 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum, Gold & Silver
If your Elite status changes after you make your reservation and you remove and re-add your account number, your reservation will reflect the correct status. But if you do not do that this is how your upgrade will be handled by the Elite Upgrade Automation (EUA) and at check-in as reported here:
- Non-Elite turns Elite. EUA will not recognize for an advance upgrade, and upgrade will not be offered at check-in. This is scheduled to be corrected at some point.
- Elite turns Non-Elite. EUA will not recognize for an advance upgrade, and upgrade will not be offered at check-in
- Elite changes to a different Elite tier. EUA will recognize most current Elite status for an advance upgrade and for the upgrade standby list upon check-in
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Dec 10, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Nov 19, 2006, 3:58 am
#19
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
How to make seat-to-seat calls on the 777s and 767s
First, each seat that wants to be able to receive calls has to enable their in-seat phone. This is done by turning on the phone, and then pressing [FUNC] + 2. The phone should then display "CALL RECV ENABLED". The phone can then be turned off and stowed as normal.
Second, to place a call to someone who has enabled their phone, turn on your phone and press [FUNC] + 1. Then, you can enter the destination seat as a two-digit seat row + seat letter.
For example, if you want to call 27C, you enter 2 + 7 for the row, and then hit 2 three times to get 'C'. The recipient's video screen will then pop up a message about the incoming call, and they can answer the phone.
For more information, please see this tread:
:-: Hacking the 767/777: Making Seat to Seat Calls :-:
Second, to place a call to someone who has enabled their phone, turn on your phone and press [FUNC] + 1. Then, you can enter the destination seat as a two-digit seat row + seat letter.
For example, if you want to call 27C, you enter 2 + 7 for the row, and then hit 2 three times to get 'C'. The recipient's video screen will then pop up a message about the incoming call, and they can answer the phone.
For more information, please see this tread:
:-: Hacking the 767/777: Making Seat to Seat Calls :-:
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Sep 22, 2007 at 11:19 am
Nov 27, 2006, 3:45 pm
#20
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Continental Aircraft & Seatmaps
** For details on which seats have power check out the Power post (#21) just below this one. **
If you're looking for the best seat:
Continental Airlines "Mainline" (CO):
737–500 (735)
737–700 (73G)
737-800 (738): 737-800 (738) with the mid-cabin lavatory (20/132)
.
737-900 (739):757–200 (752 or 757)
757–300 (753)
767–200 (762)
767–400 (764)
777–200 (772)
ExpressJet dba Continental Express (RU):
ERJ–145
Continental Micronesia "CO–Mike" (CO):
767–400 (767) Continental Micronesia Configuration
737-800 (738)
Copa Airlines "Copa" (CM):
737-800 (738): This plane is identical to a CO mainline 738.
737-700 (73G): This plane is identical to a CO mainline 73G.
EMB–190: This plane is reported to have 10 business class seats.
(If you know of a link to the seat maps, please feel free to post it!)
Colgan Air dba "Continental Connection" (9L):
Beech 1900
Saab 340
Dash-8 Q400
Chautauqua dba as "Continental Connection" (RP):
CRJ-200
ERJ145
Fleet fuel efficiency: (in gallons per seat flown 1,000 miles) Source.
737-8/9: 13.3
757-2/3: 14.5
737-700: 14.5
767-400: 15.1
777-200: 15.7
767-200: 18.6
737-500: 19.0
- SeatGuru offers a good, well rounded general listing of CO seats.
- The CO SeatGuru Correction Elaboration Thread for specific seat questions.
- Best seat on Beech 1900
- Best seats on COPA in Y
Continental Airlines "Mainline" (CO):
737–500 (735)
737–700 (73G)
737-800 (738): 737-800 (738) with the mid-cabin lavatory (20/132)
.
737-900 (739):
- 737–900 (739) Old* Version
. - 737-900ER (73E): The 737-900ER offers 20 seats in F and 149 seats in Y.
757–300 (753)
767–200 (762)
767–400 (764)
777–200 (772)
ExpressJet dba Continental Express (RU):
ERJ–145
Continental Micronesia "CO–Mike" (CO):
767–400 (767) Continental Micronesia Configuration
737-800 (738)
Copa Airlines "Copa" (CM):
737-800 (738): This plane is identical to a CO mainline 738.
737-700 (73G): This plane is identical to a CO mainline 73G.
EMB–190: This plane is reported to have 10 business class seats.
(If you know of a link to the seat maps, please feel free to post it!)
Colgan Air dba "Continental Connection" (9L):
Beech 1900
Saab 340
Dash-8 Q400
Chautauqua dba as "Continental Connection" (RP):
CRJ-200
ERJ145
Fleet fuel efficiency: (in gallons per seat flown 1,000 miles) Source.
737-8/9: 13.3
757-2/3: 14.5
737-700: 14.5
767-400: 15.1
777-200: 15.7
767-200: 18.6
737-500: 19.0
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:35 am
Nov 28, 2006, 9:56 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Inflight Power
Widebodies:
Currently all Continental widebodies offer inflight power.
767s
Narrowbodies:767s
The 767s are configured with the emPower system. Should you wish to plug your laptop, iPod or other portable electronic device in on one of these planes, you'll need an adapter. There's no "official" adapter out but a simple google search for either an "airline power adapter" or "emPower airline adapter" should yield results.
An example of one possible adapter is the APC 150 watt DC to AC Inverter with Airline Adapter ~$50
Currently row 23 and forward on the 762 and 764 offer emPower outlets. On the 76H outlets are available from row 15 forward.
777sAn example of one possible adapter is the APC 150 watt DC to AC Inverter with Airline Adapter ~$50
Currently row 23 and forward on the 762 and 764 offer emPower outlets. On the 76H outlets are available from row 15 forward.
All of the 777s have 110V universal plug outlets at every seat.
A very small subset of the narrow-body fleet currently has inflight power. It is expected that by the end of 2010 the vast majority will have power installed using the 110V universal outlet adapters.
752s
733/735s
And finally here's a link to CO's Inflight Power Page752s
All of the 752s have the new 110V universal power outlets. Enjoy!
733/735s
None of these planes currently have power outlets. And they aren't going to be getting them, either. The good news is that there aren't many of them left in the fleet and they're going away.
73G/739/753sNone of these planes currently have power outlets. As the planes are retrofit with the LiveTV implementation outlets will be added from the rear over-wing exit row forward.
738sOnly the newest of these planes currently have power outlets. As the planes are retrofit with the LiveTV implementation outlets will be added from row 22 (rear over-wing exit row) forward.
73Es (737-900ERs)These planes are being delivered from Boeing with power nose-to-tail. Note that in the timetables CO is listing all 739s (both ER and not) as "739" so you won't have much of a way to tell what you're going to be flying until shortly before the flight when your aircraft is assigned.
The best way to tell if your narrowbody flight will have inseat power is to look at the http://pda.continental.com/info site under the in-flight amenities. You can only check it a day or so in advance of your flight, so you won't really know until close to the trip, but that's better than nothing.Last edited by Continental FAQ; Apr 14, 2009 at 7:12 am
Nov 28, 2006, 11:08 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Last edited by KVS; Nov 28, 2006 at 11:28 am
Nov 28, 2006, 11:24 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
How to Book Qantas (QF) Awards
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:50 am
Dec 11, 2006, 7:54 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Where can my Elite status help with the TSA screening?
AKA Where is there EliteAccess Security Screening?
Here's (part of) the answer:
Note: Any "clickable" airport will take you to a corresponding thread on the subject, should one exist.
Here's (part of) the answer:
- ABQ -- No
- ATL -- Yes
- ANC -- Yes
- AUS -- No
- BOS --Yes Note: With the BOS terminal, the elite line can be lengthy at times, since besides the CO EliteAccess customers, DL also allows Gold/Platinum Medallions (which there are a good amount of at BOS), Crown Room members and Delta Shuttle customers to use the First Class line - in the mornings it can back up a decent bit.
- BWI -- Yes
- CDG -- Yes
- CLE -- Yes (Term C Only)
- CME -- No
- CMH -- Yes
- DCA -- Yes (questionable efficiency)
- DEL -- No
- DEN -- Yes
- DFW -- No
- DTW -- Yes
- EWR C1/2/3 -- Yes
- EWR A2 -- Yes
- FLL -- Yes
- GUM -- No
- IAD -- Yes
- IAH -- Yes at B/C/E
- JAX -- No
- LAS -- The latest setup is that you have access if you are in F or if you are a Platinum
- LAX -- Yes - LAX converted to a TSA Black/Blue/Green config in May '08 but it seems that the elite line for ID checking is still available based on this post.
- LGA -- No
- LFT -- No
- MCI -- Yes
- MCO -- No
- MDT -- No
- MDW -- No
- MEX -- No
- MKE -- Yes
- MIA -- Yes
- MSP -- Dedicated set of lanes, not at every area
- MSY -- Yes
- ORD -- Yes
- OMA -- No
- PBI -- No
- PDX -- Yes
- PHL -- Only at terminal E, which is not where CO flies from
- PHX -- Yes
- POS -- No
- PIT -- Yes
- RDU -- No
- ROR -- No
- SAN -- Yes
- SBN -- No
- SEA -- Yes
- SFO -- Yes
- SHV -- No
- SJC -- No
- SLC -- Yes
- SNA -- Yes
- STL -- No
- TPA -- No
- TUS -- No
Note: Any "clickable" airport will take you to a corresponding thread on the subject, should one exist.
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Mar 8, 2009 at 10:26 am
Dec 21, 2006, 7:05 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Plan B For Reward Tickets
Plan B:
There’s a often overlooked trick for premium cabin reward travel (e.g. not an upgrade) which we as OnePass members can use to help secure the big seat for those international flights on Continental/Copa/Continental Micronesia metal ONLY!
While this does not access some special uber-secret reward bucket, it will improve your chances for the snagging a forward cabin seat as it allows you to standby at the airport on the day of departure for the front cabin.
Bear in mind, this does not give you a confirmed premium seat, rather it improves your odds at for snagging one and should only be used as a last resort. If you’re flexible and there’s a standard seat open on another date – or a partner – that you can travel on, go for it! Don’t assume this is a sure fire way to get your reward.
One more thing to bear in mind: this is an obscure rule and as such, airport frontline staff may not know what you’re talking about. If you are planning on doing this be sure you understand the mechanics of how this works and how to show the frontline staff the relevant information on it (more on this later).
Anyway, that said here’s how it works.
Overview: By issuing a standard premium reward when no standard premium reward seats exist but standard Y reward seats are available, the customer (e.g. you) effectively become a displaced premium cabin customer (as you have paid for the forward cabin but are not confirmed in it). As such, you are entitled to waitlist for the flight and standby at the airport for the premium cabin should your waitlist not clear.
Here’s what you need:
Pay special attention to this part for precision is key to make this work.
:-: Plan B for Standard BusinessFirst Award Travel :-:
This approach is also functional for domestic and international business rewards, not just BusinessFirst.
There’s a often overlooked trick for premium cabin reward travel (e.g. not an upgrade) which we as OnePass members can use to help secure the big seat for those international flights on Continental/Copa/Continental Micronesia metal ONLY!
While this does not access some special uber-secret reward bucket, it will improve your chances for the snagging a forward cabin seat as it allows you to standby at the airport on the day of departure for the front cabin.
Bear in mind, this does not give you a confirmed premium seat, rather it improves your odds at for snagging one and should only be used as a last resort. If you’re flexible and there’s a standard seat open on another date – or a partner – that you can travel on, go for it! Don’t assume this is a sure fire way to get your reward.
One more thing to bear in mind: this is an obscure rule and as such, airport frontline staff may not know what you’re talking about. If you are planning on doing this be sure you understand the mechanics of how this works and how to show the frontline staff the relevant information on it (more on this later).
Anyway, that said here’s how it works.
Overview: By issuing a standard premium reward when no standard premium reward seats exist but standard Y reward seats are available, the customer (e.g. you) effectively become a displaced premium cabin customer (as you have paid for the forward cabin but are not confirmed in it). As such, you are entitled to waitlist for the flight and standby at the airport for the premium cabin should your waitlist not clear.
Here’s what you need:
1. The required amount of miles for the premium reward (check CO’s reward charts)
2. Standard coach reward seats on the flight you wish to waitlist for
3. Luck
Here’s what you do:
Call into to the international rewards desk and tell explain to them you’re looking for a standard premium cabin reward. If there’s no space on CO, check the partners! and see if they can accommodate you. If and ONLY if they cannot, go to plan B.
For example let’s say you want to go from IAH to CDG in BusinessFirst.
But for whatever reason the partners did not work nor did other dates. Yet you do see standard award availability for coach on Continental for the dates/flights you want.
Call into Continental and tell the agent to redeem a BusinessFirst reward - in the case of North America to Europe to keep with our IAH-CDG example this would cost 105,000 miles - but to seat you in coach (this is why it is necessary to have a reward seat open at the standard coach level).
If the agent does not understand what you want to do or says it cannot be done, ask him/her to look up the following line in DRS:
This will explain to the agent, in 'CO lingo', how go about ticketing your reservation.
The miles (105,000) will be debited from your account and you will then be placed on a waitlist for BusinessFirst. If you do not clear into BusinessFirst you will receive a mileage refund for the difference between BF and Y; it should be automatic but if it doesn't happen just call OPSC and get your miles back.
At this point two things can happen:2. Standard coach reward seats on the flight you wish to waitlist for
3. Luck
Here’s what you do:
Call into to the international rewards desk and tell explain to them you’re looking for a standard premium cabin reward. If there’s no space on CO, check the partners! and see if they can accommodate you. If and ONLY if they cannot, go to plan B.
For example let’s say you want to go from IAH to CDG in BusinessFirst.
But for whatever reason the partners did not work nor did other dates. Yet you do see standard award availability for coach on Continental for the dates/flights you want.
Call into Continental and tell the agent to redeem a BusinessFirst reward - in the case of North America to Europe to keep with our IAH-CDG example this would cost 105,000 miles - but to seat you in coach (this is why it is necessary to have a reward seat open at the standard coach level).
If the agent does not understand what you want to do or says it cannot be done, ask him/her to look up the following line in DRS:
onewai in DRS and reference line 154
The miles (105,000) will be debited from your account and you will then be placed on a waitlist for BusinessFirst. If you do not clear into BusinessFirst you will receive a mileage refund for the difference between BF and Y; it should be automatic but if it doesn't happen just call OPSC and get your miles back.
1. You clear the waitlist no later than 24 hours before the flight.
If so, than you’re set! Enjoy your flight!
2. You do not clear the waitlist 24 hours before the flight.
Okay, so you did not clear before the flight but don’t start worrying yet as there’s still a chance you can at the airport.
How to standby at the airport for BusinessFirst:If so, than you’re set! Enjoy your flight!
2. You do not clear the waitlist 24 hours before the flight.
Okay, so you did not clear before the flight but don’t start worrying yet as there’s still a chance you can at the airport.
Pay special attention to this part for precision is key to make this work.
Arrive at the airport early (e.g. 2 hours) and locate an international concierge at the checkin counter (if one cannot be found at the checkin counter than check in normally, procedure through security and locate one airside.)
Explain to the concierge that you are a displaced BusinessFirst customer and need to be placed on the standby list for BF.
Do NOT mention “upgrade” – as doing so will complicate the situation (remember, you’re not upgrading as you have already ‘bought’ a BF ticket.)
You should then be placed on the standby list and if there’s an open big seat before they close the door, you’ll get it!
…What to do if the concierge/Grey Coat/Gate Agents don’t understand.Explain to the concierge that you are a displaced BusinessFirst customer and need to be placed on the standby list for BF.
Do NOT mention “upgrade” – as doing so will complicate the situation (remember, you’re not upgrading as you have already ‘bought’ a BF ticket.)
You should then be placed on the standby list and if there’s an open big seat before they close the door, you’ll get it!
As mentioned before, an agent can easily mistake a customer requesting to be placed on the BF upgrade list as wanting to upgrade (and we all know upgrades are not done on the day of departure) and if this is the case here’s what you do.
1. Tell the agent you’re not trying to upgrade, rather you’re a displaced BF customer.
2. Ask the agent to access the following code in Sonic “gg onestandby” and review lines 85-89 as they spell out the Reward standby policy.
If the agent states s/he cannot know for sure the miles were deducted from your OnePass account do this:1. Tell the agent you’re not trying to upgrade, rather you’re a displaced BF customer.
2. Ask the agent to access the following code in Sonic “gg onestandby” and review lines 85-89 as they spell out the Reward standby policy.
1. The reward ticket will have a fare basis (FS6* in our IAH-CDG example). Going into sonic and reviewing “gg FS6” will pull up the information on the reward (what we know as a Series 6 BusinessFirst reward)
*Platinum rewards are slightly different. The same standby rules apply but rather than the prefix “FS” it will be “DG” – so a IAH-CDG BusinessFirst reward issued from a Platinum account would be a DG6 award and reviewing “gg DG6” in sonic will reveal the award is a Platinum BusinessFirst reward. FWIW, lines 57-63 in "gg DG_" should spell out the standby policy too.
If this does not work, or the agent cannot pull up the information, have them call the reward desk as they will be able to confirm the ticket.
If you still need a little extra help, please feel free to post on this thread: *Platinum rewards are slightly different. The same standby rules apply but rather than the prefix “FS” it will be “DG” – so a IAH-CDG BusinessFirst reward issued from a Platinum account would be a DG6 award and reviewing “gg DG6” in sonic will reveal the award is a Platinum BusinessFirst reward. FWIW, lines 57-63 in "gg DG_" should spell out the standby policy too.
If this does not work, or the agent cannot pull up the information, have them call the reward desk as they will be able to confirm the ticket.
:-: Plan B for Standard BusinessFirst Award Travel :-:
This approach is also functional for domestic and international business rewards, not just BusinessFirst.
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 11:05 am
Feb 12, 2007, 9:13 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
How Do I Earn Miles (Both EQM's and RDM's) On Virgin (VS)?
First, it is important to note that CO OnePass Members will only earn EQM's on flights that VS codeshares with CO. Currently, most VS flight from the USA to LHR and from LHR to the USA are codeshared with CO. In addition, VS' MCO-LGW-MCO and MCO-MAN-MCO flights are codeshared with CO. Note, however, that as VS adds new routes they do not automatically become codeshares with CO. It took several months for the ORD flight to add a CO code to it, and the newest IAD flight doesn't have one yet (4.18.08). If you are not sure, check the CO schedule, either online, in the pdf or in the downloadable version. If the flight is not listed in the CO schedule and operating with a CO flight number you will not get EQMs.
Note: As of July 19, 2008 VS18 (daytime flight EWR-LHR) and VS1 (4pm LHR-EWR) have had the CO codes removed from them as they are timed very close to the CO-operated flights.
Note 2: As of January 19, 2009, the late LAX flight no longer has a CO code. Additionally only one of the MCO-MAN/LGW flights seems to have a CO code, even in the summer when VS increases frequencies on those routes.
.Note: As of July 19, 2008 VS18 (daytime flight EWR-LHR) and VS1 (4pm LHR-EWR) have had the CO codes removed from them as they are timed very close to the CO-operated flights.
Note 2: As of January 19, 2009, the late LAX flight no longer has a CO code. Additionally only one of the MCO-MAN/LGW flights seems to have a CO code, even in the summer when VS increases frequencies on those routes.
GREAT! I'M ON A CODESHARED VS FLIGHT... (see above)
HOW MANY CO EQMs & RDMs WILL I EARN?
If your ticket has a fare basis of J, D, Z, or R, you will earn 150% EQMs, 150% RDMs, and one elite point per segment.
If your ticket has a fare basis of W, Y, H, K, B, M, L, S or Q you will earn 100% EQMs, 100% RDMs, and one elite point per segment.
Economy Fare classes N, X & V discontinued for accrual effective December 1, 2008.
It is important to note that OnePass elites flying VS do not earn elite mileage bonuses on ANY VS flights.
In addition, one need not have purchased a VS ticket on co.com to earn CO EQMs and RDMs - even tickets purchased directly from VS earn CO EQMs (only on codeshares) and RDMs. Thus, if you wish to accrue OnePass miles be sure your VS flight is credited to your CO OnePass account rather than your VS Flying Club account.
WILL I STILL EARN CO MILES FOR THE FLIGHT?
CO OnePass members will earn RDMs, but not EQMs, on VS flights that are not codeshared with CO. Also keep in mind that OnePass elite members will not earn any OnePass elite RDM bonus for ANY VS flight.
The following is an example of earning CO OnePass miles on a VS itinerary:
EWR-LHR-JNB in D (Business) class: a CO OnePass member would earn both 150% EQMs and 150% RDMs on the EWR-LHR segment, and 150% RDMs only on the LHR-JNB segment.
EWR-LHR-JNB in Q (Economy) class: a CO OnePass member would earn 100% EQMs and 100% RDMs on the EWR-LHR segment, and 100% RDMs only on the LHR-JNB segment.
EWR-LHR-JNB in Q (Economy) class: a CO OnePass member would earn 100% EQMs and 100% RDMs on the EWR-LHR segment, and 100% RDMs only on the LHR-JNB segment.
WILL I RECEIVE ANY BONUS CO CO EQMs OR RDMs AS A RESULT THEREOF?
No. Currently, all VS Premium Economy fare classes earn only 100% CO EQMs/RDMs (with the caveat, of course, that a Premium Economy ticket only earns EQM's on a VS flight codeshared with CO).
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:17 am
Feb 12, 2007, 9:28 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Redeeming VS Awards With OnePass Miles
I WOULD LIKE TO REDEEM CO ONEPASS MILES FOR FLIGHTS OPERATED BY VS.
HOW DO I ACCOMPLISH THIS?
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
HOW DO I ACCOMPLISH THIS?
Standard coach rewards on VS cost 50,000 CO OnePass miles. In addition, VS standard Upper Class rewards cost 100,000 OnePass miles. (By way of comparison, a CO standard transatlantic coach reward costs 50,000 miles, and a standard BusinessFirst reward costs 100,000 miles). Currently, OnePass members may not redeem miles for travel in VS Premium Economy.
It is necessary to call OnePass to redeem a reward on VS. In my experience, it is best to search for VS flights with reward space available before calling CO, although CO OnePass agents seem to be improving with respect to searching for VS availability. In order to search for reward space on VS flights, simply go to www.virginatlantic.com and sign up for a Flying Club account. Once you have a Flying Club account, you can search the VS reward calendar for availability on your selected dates and cabin of service.
I'M HAVING TROUBLE FINDING VS REWARD SEATS ON MY SELECTED ROUTES AND DATES...It is necessary to call OnePass to redeem a reward on VS. In my experience, it is best to search for VS flights with reward space available before calling CO, although CO OnePass agents seem to be improving with respect to searching for VS availability. In order to search for reward space on VS flights, simply go to www.virginatlantic.com and sign up for a Flying Club account. Once you have a Flying Club account, you can search the VS reward calendar for availability on your selected dates and cabin of service.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Determine whether there is reward availability out of another VS US gateway city and build a segment on CO or another Star Alliance partner to that gateway city. For example, if you wanted to fly on the nonstop IAD-LHR flight but it had no reward availability, check JFK, EWR, or BOS. Then, if EWR has a seat available, just build in a CO segment DCA-EWR.
VS currently operates the following US-LHR-US routes:
VS currently operates the following US-LHR-US routes:
BOS-LHR - 1x daily
EWR-LHR - 2x daily
IAD-LHR - 1x daily
JFK-LHR - 3x daily
LAX-LHR - 10x weekly
MIA-LHR - 1x daily
SFO-LHR - 1x daily
In addition, VS offers the following additional US-UK services:EWR-LHR - 2x daily
IAD-LHR - 1x daily
JFK-LHR - 3x daily
LAX-LHR - 10x weekly
MIA-LHR - 1x daily
SFO-LHR - 1x daily
LAS-LGW (NOT a CO codeshare) - 1x daily
MCO-LGW - 15x weekly (summer); 1x daily (winter)
MCO-MAN - 10x weekly (summer); 1x daily (winter)
MCO-LGW - 15x weekly (summer); 1x daily (winter)
MCO-MAN - 10x weekly (summer); 1x daily (winter)
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Dec 10, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Feb 12, 2007, 9:53 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Can I be waitlisted to *buy* a FC ticket?
Most of CO's full-fare First, BusinessFirst and Economy class fares do allow waitlists. Below are some of the important details regarding waitlists for revenue tickets:
If you still would like to ask a question, here's the thread this information was taken from:
:-: Can I be waitlisted to *buy* a FC ticket? :-:
- Only certain types of fares allow waitlisting. For travel within the U.S., Canada and Mexico, waitlists are only permitted with F and Y class fares. For all other travel areas, waitlists are permitted for J, D, C, Y and B class fares. The only time with these fares that you can't waitlist is when the rules of the specifically prohibit it - it's rare, but never say never.
- You can only waitlist on flights operated by Continental.
- In most cases, there's a minimum itinerary requirement. For travel within the the U.S., Canada and Mexico, you must have a valid confirmed itinerary that may be ticketed if your waitlists don't clear. For all other travel areas, you have to have at least one confirmed international segment, except for travel to/from Manila (MNL). Travel to/from MNL is the only case where you can have a completely waitlisted itinerary.
- There's a limit to how many waitlists you can have. For any given direction, you're allowed a maximum of three waitlists.
If you still would like to ask a question, here's the thread this information was taken from:
:-: Can I be waitlisted to *buy* a FC ticket? :-:
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Jan 19, 2009 at 2:33 am
Mar 6, 2007, 6:10 pm
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Upgrade Hierarchy for Battle Field Upgrades
- People on the PR-1 list. This includes displaced First Class customers (people who have paid for First Class with cash or mileage but do not have a FC seat).
/ - Premium Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver on a Y fare.
/ - Premium Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver on a B fare.
/ - Premium Platinums are upgraded first by fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L) and then by the time they were placed on the list.
/ - Premium Platinum companions by fare class then time placed on the list.
/ - Platinums are upgraded first by fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L) and then by the time they were placed on the list.
/ - Platinum companions by fare class then time placed on the list.
/ - Golds by fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L) and then by the time they were placed on the list.
/ - Gold companions by fare class then time placed on the list.
/ - Silvers by fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L) and then by the time they were placed on the list.
/ - Positive-Space Promo Upgrades (only those that allow airport standby).
/ - Non elites on full Y fares within the U.S. 48 & Space-Available Promo Upgrades (both treated equally).
After you have checked in for your flight you can check your position on the Battlefield upgrade list using the PDA site. Choose the "Flight Information & Status" link and then the "View Upgrade Standby List" option to search. If you are checked in for your flight and you do not appear on the list then you need to speak with someone at the airport to resolve the issue. Do not waste your time calling the reservations line or co.com support. They will see you in the queue for EUAs and insist that things are working correctly. It will be frustrating for everyone. Just don't bother. When you do arrive at the airport ask the agent to add you to the list. You can confirm using your mobile device as it will update immediately. If the agent does not know how to do it you can provide them with this code:
6:flt num/dateplace-your last name$upg#u
Customers who have purchased (with cash or miles) a First/BusinessFirst ticket and are waitlisted for the front cabin will also be dropped from the waitlist 24 hours before the flight. However, such customers may be put on the PR1 standby list at the airport for their flight(s). For more information please see the following topics:
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:29 am
Mar 6, 2007, 6:17 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
How do I get access to the Continental Presidents Club?
The Continental Presidents Club is an airline lounge that "offers the busy traveler personalized service and a relaxing oasis in 26 private airport clubrooms."
Entry requirements:
Photo ID - All Presidents Club lounges ask for a photo ID on entry. This is normal and there isn't much you can to to avoid it if queried. Deal.
Anyone who has obtained Select Plus Status in the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program automatically has ClubAcela access, and it is printed on the membership card that is mailed out when the status is obtained. Showing the card at a CO President's Club will allow the member +1 guest into the CO President's Club Lounge. Same day tickets on CO are NOT required for access using the Select Plus / Club Acela Card. More details on this benefit can be found here.
What is the best option?
Many of the programs above allow for some number of guests or family members to join you in the lounge. Continental has very specific definitions of what these guests are and will generally enforce the rules pretty regularly. "Family" is defined as a spouse and any children under age 21. Parents, siblings, cousins, aunt and uncles are NOT considered family based on the CO system. Technically grandchildren, nieces and nephews aren't either, but I've not seen someone try and you might be able to get away with them being considered your children under 21.
Everyone else is a guest and subject to the zero/one/two limit based on your access method. That's it.
For a PC member or a AmEx card holder it is possible to bring in additional guests for only $25 each rather than the $45 of a day pass.
Other access restrictions for the PClubs
The person holding the credentials to enter MUST be at least 21 (as in the PC member, OP Gold... so someone who otherwise holds credentials to enter but is under 21 cannot simply find a random person over 21 and guest them in.
There is exactly ONE exception to this rule, and that applies to anyone under 21, flying alone, on BF. In such a case, the passenger DOES have access to the President's Club. However, upon entering, the person at the check-in desk will escort the passenger to the bar and introduce them to the bartender so that the bartender know he/she is under 21 and not allowed to drink. This applies only to BusinessFirst. Domestic First, International First, International Business, Latin First/Business do not apply, and anyone under 21 flying those routes will be barred entry from the PC.
Also check out the Presidents Club Meetings thread to meet other FTers in the lounge or to get/give access to the lounges.
Entry requirements:
Photo ID - All Presidents Club lounges ask for a photo ID on entry. This is normal and there isn't much you can to to avoid it if queried. Deal.
1. Presidents Club membership:
This provides entry to the club at all times no matter which airline you are travelling with or which class of service you are booked into. Details of this are found on the Continental website at this link. There are membership discounts for the various elite levels. You must be over age 21 to purchase a Presidents Club membership. You may also bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge. Additional guests can be brought in to the club at a rate of $25 each.
If you do not have a boarding pass for that particular day and wish to access an airside Presidents Club you may request a gate pass from a ticketing agent to allow you to pass through the TSA checkpoint. If the ticketing agent is not familiar with this benefit a call to the club may be necessary. Alternately ask the agent to look up "GG CHECKPOINT line 53" for the rule. This should bring up a section entitled "53 * NON-TRAVELING PRESIDENTS CLUB MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS." which should allow you to bring two guests through the TSA checkpoint.
2. Class of service:
If you are travelling in BusinessFirst internationally or to/from Hawaii you have access to Presidents Clubs (and some affiliated lounges) on the day of travel if you are over age 21. If travelling in BusinessFirst you can also bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge.
If you are travelling to/from a market serviced by International Business or an international destination serviced by First class service you also have complimentary access to the Presidents club. No guests are permitted. For this class of service policy, “international” does include Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. United Red Carpet Club or US Airways Club Membership:
If you hold a membership for either the UA RCC or the USC programs you may enter the Continental Presidents Clubs as well without charge. You can bring up to two guests into the lounge.
4. Star Alliance Gold:
As a Star Alliance Gold Elite (*G) members of either OnePass or any of the other member airline programs you have access to the Presidents Club on the day of travel if you have an international segment booked regardless of class of service.
*G members from all carriers other than US, UA and CO are permitted access for all itineraries, regardless of destination or class of service.
5. Continental Airlines Presidential Plus World Mastercard:
This $395 annual fee credit card issued by Chase in conjunction with Continental Airlines provides a full Presidents Club membership in addition to other selected elite level travel benefits. Please note that simply presenting the CC will not actually get you access. You will also receive a PC membership card that you should present for access.
6. American Express Platinum/Centurion card:
With an AmEx Platinum charge card (the one with the $450 annual fee) or the AmEx Centurion (Black) card you may enter the Presidents Club on the day of travel independent of your class of service. You must be flying Continental metal and not a partner airline nor on a CO code operated by another carrier. You can also bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge. Additional guests can be brought in to the club at a rate of $25 each.
This benefit will terminate as of September 30, 2011.
7. Priority Pass card:
The Priority Pass program grants the cardholder access to the Presidents Club. You do not need to be flying with Continental for this access. Depending on your Priority Pass membership type this may cost you $24 per person per visit. Guests are permitted but you may be charged depending on your specific membership type.
8. Day pass:
Day passes are available for $45 each or in books of 10 expiring within one year of issue. No guests are permitted with these passes.
9. Amtrak Select Plus StatusThis provides entry to the club at all times no matter which airline you are travelling with or which class of service you are booked into. Details of this are found on the Continental website at this link. There are membership discounts for the various elite levels. You must be over age 21 to purchase a Presidents Club membership. You may also bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge. Additional guests can be brought in to the club at a rate of $25 each.
If you do not have a boarding pass for that particular day and wish to access an airside Presidents Club you may request a gate pass from a ticketing agent to allow you to pass through the TSA checkpoint. If the ticketing agent is not familiar with this benefit a call to the club may be necessary. Alternately ask the agent to look up "GG CHECKPOINT line 53" for the rule. This should bring up a section entitled "53 * NON-TRAVELING PRESIDENTS CLUB MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS." which should allow you to bring two guests through the TSA checkpoint.
2. Class of service:
If you are travelling in BusinessFirst internationally or to/from Hawaii you have access to Presidents Clubs (and some affiliated lounges) on the day of travel if you are over age 21. If travelling in BusinessFirst you can also bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge.
If you are travelling to/from a market serviced by International Business or an international destination serviced by First class service you also have complimentary access to the Presidents club. No guests are permitted. For this class of service policy, “international” does include Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. United Red Carpet Club or US Airways Club Membership:
If you hold a membership for either the UA RCC or the USC programs you may enter the Continental Presidents Clubs as well without charge. You can bring up to two guests into the lounge.
4. Star Alliance Gold:
As a Star Alliance Gold Elite (*G) members of either OnePass or any of the other member airline programs you have access to the Presidents Club on the day of travel if you have an international segment booked regardless of class of service.
*G members from all carriers other than US, UA and CO are permitted access for all itineraries, regardless of destination or class of service.
5. Continental Airlines Presidential Plus World Mastercard:
This $395 annual fee credit card issued by Chase in conjunction with Continental Airlines provides a full Presidents Club membership in addition to other selected elite level travel benefits. Please note that simply presenting the CC will not actually get you access. You will also receive a PC membership card that you should present for access.
6. American Express Platinum/Centurion card:
With an AmEx Platinum charge card (the one with the $450 annual fee) or the AmEx Centurion (Black) card you may enter the Presidents Club on the day of travel independent of your class of service. You must be flying Continental metal and not a partner airline nor on a CO code operated by another carrier. You can also bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge. Additional guests can be brought in to the club at a rate of $25 each.
This benefit will terminate as of September 30, 2011.
7. Priority Pass card:
The Priority Pass program grants the cardholder access to the Presidents Club. You do not need to be flying with Continental for this access. Depending on your Priority Pass membership type this may cost you $24 per person per visit. Guests are permitted but you may be charged depending on your specific membership type.
8. Day pass:
Day passes are available for $45 each or in books of 10 expiring within one year of issue. No guests are permitted with these passes.
Anyone who has obtained Select Plus Status in the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program automatically has ClubAcela access, and it is printed on the membership card that is mailed out when the status is obtained. Showing the card at a CO President's Club will allow the member +1 guest into the CO President's Club Lounge. Same day tickets on CO are NOT required for access using the Select Plus / Club Acela Card. More details on this benefit can be found here.
What is the best option?
This is highly dependent on your travel patterns. If you are a frequent flyer with Continental Platinum status and fly mostly domestic routes a full PC membership or the PPlus card make a lot of sense. If you only fly Continental internationally and only in BusinessFirst or International Business class you have automatic access with your class of service. If you are an infrequent traveller the Priority Pass program may be the best option for you. Again, this is a very personal decision to make.
What is the definition of "Guest" in terms of access? Many of the programs above allow for some number of guests or family members to join you in the lounge. Continental has very specific definitions of what these guests are and will generally enforce the rules pretty regularly. "Family" is defined as a spouse and any children under age 21. Parents, siblings, cousins, aunt and uncles are NOT considered family based on the CO system. Technically grandchildren, nieces and nephews aren't either, but I've not seen someone try and you might be able to get away with them being considered your children under 21.
Everyone else is a guest and subject to the zero/one/two limit based on your access method. That's it.
For a PC member or a AmEx card holder it is possible to bring in additional guests for only $25 each rather than the $45 of a day pass.
Other access restrictions for the PClubs
The person holding the credentials to enter MUST be at least 21 (as in the PC member, OP Gold... so someone who otherwise holds credentials to enter but is under 21 cannot simply find a random person over 21 and guest them in.
There is exactly ONE exception to this rule, and that applies to anyone under 21, flying alone, on BF. In such a case, the passenger DOES have access to the President's Club. However, upon entering, the person at the check-in desk will escort the passenger to the bar and introduce them to the bartender so that the bartender know he/she is under 21 and not allowed to drink. This applies only to BusinessFirst. Domestic First, International First, International Business, Latin First/Business do not apply, and anyone under 21 flying those routes will be barred entry from the PC.
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Oct 5, 2010 at 10:37 am