I would like CO to expand and clarify this policy. I am a status-matched CO Platinum through 2009 and I want to make CO my carrier of choice, but I do not understand the benefits of this policy. I am still learning Continental, so please bear with me!

First--if Continental's policy is to award 50% EQMs on certain fare classes on other Sky Team carriers and/or those who fly CO, but book away from continental.com, why do they not also award 50% points as well? Many fliers qualify for status based on numbers of flights, points/segments, not miles, and this would be encouraging to this type of loyal flier.

Secondly, what about those travelers who are forced to use company travel companies/sites for booking and must select the lowest available fare at time of booking, which may be a discounted, non-refundable coach fare? How is this fair to loyal frequent fliers who must sacrifice EQMs and points because of company requirements?

One issue I can relate to is that while I can book my own travel, I am required to select the lowest available fare, like many other employees of other companies. Sometimes I may have to choose another SkyTeam carrier, such as Delta or Northwest, to fulfill this travel commitment because they have the fare that I am required to purchase. If I choose to credit to CO, I am "punished" by this policy. If I book on NW and credit to DL, I receive 100% EQMs regardless (or higher, based on fare class.) If I book on DL and credit to NW, I receive 100% EQMs and segments (or higher, based on fare class.)

Example: I recently flew 12 500-mile flights on NW. Crediting to CO, I earn 3000 EQMs and NO points. Crediting to DL, I earn 6000 EQMs. And crediting to NW, I earn 6000 miles and 12 segments. Please explain to me how "this is good for me" and why I should make CO my carrier of choice?

Totally agree! I appreciate the detailed report as I couldn't attend. ^

Here are some of my notes on other things that were mentioned early in the session, prior to the Q&A.

The first DO started as a bet at dinner one night, and Dean was right! The second DO was a natural outgrowth, and Yes, we plan to do this going forward.

Kudos to Scott O�Leary for his participation on FT and helping out both CO and all the customers.

Going to ship Cigarman a set of F seats from the old 752 setup, and also auctioning a pair off tonight

AVOD throughout the plane was driven by FT; putting it in the 777s takes 40 days of maintenance, so it takes time, but over the next 2 years it�ll be done.

Reward model was changed after the last DO, and standard rewards have actually gone up and EasyPass has gone down.
� The computer model compares the revenue value of the seats to what the reward points are worth. They are going to increase the value of the points so that they can �sell� more reward tickets at the standard rate without too much other stuff.

Reward price point is going to change for Easy Pass (and maybe Standard??), and it is going up in some markets. This will be announced in October. Don�t be surprised.

Working towards more partner reward and mileage upgrade booking options. It is hard to integrate with all the partners, but we�re trying.

Upcoming improvements to Continental offerings:

• CO.com Preview Program - Late October
• Residual Travel Certificates - Mid November (use part of an ETC and keep the residual value!!) ^^
• Priority Standby for Elites - Mid December ^^
• More Detailed Online Reward Charts - Q1 2008
• Million Miler Program - Lots of details to work out on it.^^
• Airport Standby for BF Mileage Upgrades ^^
• Assigning the middle seats in the Elite Zone last! ^^

My understanding, based on the comments offered this weekend and previously, is that CO just isn't losing enough corporat business for this to affect them.

If you can't book consistently at co.com or at the higher fares, CO doesn't consider you to be as valuable an elite to them, and they're making it clear with this policy. And CO is going to take better care of the folks who bring them more revenue (or lower cost, which is the co.com thing since they don't have to pay out to the GDS), so it is better for the elites who earn it that way. If you aren't one of them then you don't fall into the "you" they are targeting.

And I third that. Thank you.

So let me clarify some confusion?

They are removing the additional 50% EQM they offer people who purchase on CO.COM?

Or you are saying they are keeping it that way?

Care to expand on that cryptic remark?

No removing of the continental.com 100% policy (as far as I could tell.)

The 50% EQMs policies they are keeping, it appears from the notes posted, although I think they are "punitive" to loyal travelers who have company booking restrictions. It appears that those elites are less important than the ones who luckily have unlimited company travel funds and no company-contracted travel agency!

Thanks for the writeup, I feel like I was there. LK and Jeff seem so straightforward and direct I miss CO. United couldn't have a meeting like this, since they are coasting and not really trying to solve issues. There management would be stoned upon entering the conference area. (figuratively)

CO West coast expansion would be great as well as S. Pac options. I still think they are wrong about E+ though. Even if they just had it as a small area (3 or 4 rows) for elites to fill when they miss their upgrades, it would make a huge difference. I just can not use my laptop when I am stuck in Y on CO and that is a deal killer.

Imagine if Northwest Airlines management tried this play. They'd have to wear Kevlar vests and riot helmets.

Good for Cleveland.^

[QUOTE=ANDYBNJ;8483543]I absolutely agree. Can you imagine 3-3-3 configuration with 31-32 pitch like in the current 777 to Australia or So Pacific? No mood lighting is going to help... And UA is flying planes with E+ there...

They covered some of this in the Q&A--
CO offers the 50% EQM for a few reasons:
It encourages fliers to book via COOL--and CO wants to reward it since it is a low cost distribution network for them.
It does a little to tie revenue to status--those flying elcheapo a ton might not get elite, while those who fly in higher revenue fare buckets earn at a pretty decent rate.
The 50% for other carriers ties directly to what they get in return.
In this case (that is, CO), it would be silly to give CO fliers the shaft for externally booked low fare bucket tickets while giving someone flying on DL crediting to CO on a L/U/T fare 100%--otherwise, I'd be flying DL's LUT fares everywhere and avoiding CO.

Why is it good, and how does it benefit us?
Basically, it does a little to start to limit the number of elites.

Lastly---you're asking why you should go with CO for your FF program.....and the answer is that maybe you shouldn't! If DL or NW offers something so superior, then you should look with using them instead.

You don't need to imagine. Just ask those who fly UA and QF's regular coach on their 744s with 3-4-3, 31" pitch, and no IFE in the case of UA.

Sounds like CO's 787 is quite competitive.

Very true, and those 744 seats are only about 17"-17.2" wide. The difference is that UA elites do get at least a few extra inches of leg room, since they can book into E+. QF is also launching a premium economy cabin. But for the average non-elite passenger, economy on CO's 787s won't probably be any worse than long haul economy on many other airlines.