FAQ for Continental, OnePass and Life's Greater Mysteries
Nov 29, 2009 | 9:24 am
#61
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,766
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:
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.
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:
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. Delta SkyClub membership:
If you hold a membership from either the NW WC or DL CRC programs you may enter the Continental Presidents Clubs as well without charge. You can bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge.
Access to an airside Presidents Club is possible for non-travelling CRC members. Ask the agent to look up "GG CHECKPOINT line 55" which will bring up a section entitled: "55 * NON-TRAVELING DL CROWN ROOM MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS." Equivalent language should be available for NW WC members.
This access method will only be valid until January 2010.
3a. 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 $375 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.
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.
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.
What is the best option?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. Delta SkyClub membership:
If you hold a membership from either the NW WC or DL CRC programs you may enter the Continental Presidents Clubs as well without charge. You can bring up to two guests, or a spouse and children under the age of 21 into the lounge.
Access to an airside Presidents Club is possible for non-travelling CRC members. Ask the agent to look up "GG CHECKPOINT line 55" which will bring up a section entitled: "55 * NON-TRAVELING DL CROWN ROOM MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS." Equivalent language should be available for NW WC members.
This access method will only be valid until January 2010.
3a. 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 $375 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.
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.
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.
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 makes 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.
Nov 29, 2009 | 9:38 am
#62
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
Changing the OnePass number linked to your debit card.
Give Chase a ring at 1-877-292-4273.
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Mar 20, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Dec 4, 2009 | 7:26 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,576
Is the PC at LGA inside or outside security? I'm flying in tomorrow afternoon on UA and would like to grab a glass of scotch after I land.
Dec 16, 2009 | 10:02 pm
#64
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: too far from the airport
Posts: 3,299
Thanks for the extensive wiki on CO. I'm an infrequent CO flyers and have a question about mileage reinstatement fees for cancelled awards: Am I correct in thinking that it will cost $150 to reinstate two identical awards that were booked at the same time from the same account (member is not elite)? It seems that the fee is per transaction, and not per passenger, right?
Last edited by honu; Dec 16, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Dec 22, 2009 | 10:27 am
#65
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: Alas, the Gravy Train Hath Ended...just happy to be an OW Sapphire and a ST Ivory...whatever
Posts: 4,389
Perhaps a FAQ for the various Chase banking items (MC, Debit, etc) might be of help. I had a question just this week and saw that there wasn't anything on this FAQ master list on it.... Thanks!
Dec 23, 2009 | 8:16 am
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
12345
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Mar 20, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Dec 23, 2009 | 9:47 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,177
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 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.
p.s. sorry, I just saw the note not to post questions or comments on this thread. However, I have posted comments in that thread and haven't received a satisfactory answer to date.
Dec 26, 2009 | 1:41 pm
#68
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hyatt Explorist; MVC Chairman
Posts: 6,181
DELETED
Last edited by controller1; Jan 2, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Jan 3, 2010 | 12:00 pm
#69
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
12345
Last edited by Continental FAQ; Mar 20, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Jan 19, 2010 | 7:33 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,275
Travel certificate
did not find it in the FQA.
Went through all 5 pages but did not see an entry. This question has been ask numerous times in the other threads so, it might worthwhile to be in the FQA.
Situation: Got an TCV due to fare drop, not flight cancellation credit.
Questions: 1. is tcv transferable. My gut feel says yes.
2. When use to book eticket, does travel has to occur before the TCV expiration date. My gut feel say no.
Went through all 5 pages but did not see an entry. This question has been ask numerous times in the other threads so, it might worthwhile to be in the FQA.
Situation: Got an TCV due to fare drop, not flight cancellation credit.
Questions: 1. is tcv transferable. My gut feel says yes.
2. When use to book eticket, does travel has to occur before the TCV expiration date. My gut feel say no.
Mar 20, 2010 | 6:35 pm
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 75
PLEASE DO NOT POST QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS IN THIS THREAD!
Any comments or questions should be posted in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...nt-thread.html.
Nov 21, 2010 | 6:07 pm
#72
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: Singapore Air, Delta, United 1K, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Starwood
Posts: 103
International standby priority
If we are waitlisted for a flight to China for 6 months and it does not clear 24 hours prior at check-in we are then put on a Flight Standby waitlist . What is the priority order for standby upgrade on an international flight? Does time of check-in or fare class play a role in priority or is it still Status and Time of Purchase?
Nov 24, 2010 | 2:54 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: Mosaic 2, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Premium Cabin free agent
Posts: 850
I don't think anybody has posted this yet because I checked in the FAQ's and didn't see it mentioned. In case anybody wants to know, I think I've found a way to query the R inventory through United's site. You have to have a Mileage Plus account so sign up if you don't have one. Once you do switch the view into expert mode. To do that go to My Profile link at the top of the page, then click on my travel information, scroll towards the bottom and you will see Display Preferences. Switch availability to an expert and save. You may have to log out, after all it is .bomb. Then go do an award search for the flight you want. You probably have to do it segment by segment. Once the search results come up click on Star alliance awards. This will then display a mix of UA, CO and US flights. The only trick is that award inventory for economy or BE/BF has to be available so the flight you want actually shows. If your flight does show, hover your mouse over flight details and all inventory buckets will show. Remember you have to be logged in to United.com for the buckets to show. Hope people find it useful.
Nov 28, 2010 | 9:17 am
#74
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
Can someone please explain the continental baggage embargo? I read it and I don't understand it! I've called continental 4 times and got 2 different answers and once the lady said she called the airport. I dont care about the merits of it, or if they should or should not do it - I just want to know how many bags I can check, total. It's to SJO during Christmas/holiday time. It seems like it is saying 2 bags plus one "occurence" more. So, is it 3 bags total to check? I'm not even talking about fees, I'll pay whatever they want and check how ever many they say, I just don't want to be at the airport at 5 in the morning having an argument with the check-in agent about what the CO customer service agents did or did not say. As an aside, isn't it funny that they don't even really know either? Thanks!
Nov 28, 2010 | 4:58 pm
#75
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Livingston, TX
Programs: All airlines / hotels
Posts: 7
What happens to those with Infinite Plat cards?
I would like to know what will happen to those of us Continental Lifetime Platinum card holders (words on our loyalty card say infinite). How will this level be considered as the program is merged with UAL's Mileage Plus program? It is my hope that this status level will be retained. Thanks to anyone who can provide this insight as I can't find the information in anything being sent to OnePass or Mileage Plus members.