This reminds me of a recent article claiming the Danes were the happiest people on Earth. Turns out they just had low expectations. But, you are right, at least this is honest. Of course, as others have mentioned you can't spell unCOmpetitive award availability without CO!

Two in the past two years (averaging one per year). Thus, CO's changes mean 100,000 more miles necessary for the same amount of travel.

I agree. It used to be that CO was a leader; now they're laggard. It's as though they now go for lowest-common-denominator.

Thanks to COInsider for leveling with us, but this is yet another devaluation of OnePass, and CO's apologists and cheerleaders can't hide that fact.

One final note: why are devaluations/price increases always "changes" whereas improvements are trumpeted as just that--"improvements"

I do understand that the 500 mile bonus was to get people to book on the website but with no bonus it might cause loyal Co customers to start looking elsewhere for flights.

The effect of this "enhancement" will cause people who would use that "bonus" milage for travel more difficulty.
Ex silver at 30 segments removes 15000 miles from consumer use.
gold at 60= 30000 plat at 90 = 45000
even if they dont count as EQM its taking milage out of your acct that you can use for flights.
That is one of the reasons for loyalty to Co and not some other airline.

What is next they "lets raise fares by $10 game?" that some airlines seem to do every other week and blame it on the cost of a BBl of crude.

The effect is like saying they have raised the number of miles necessary to qualify for elite status at any level

On the one hand, CO is the victim of its own success. The carrier is choking on the legions of elite flyers, many of whom find there is not nearly enough inventory for upgrade or award travel.

On the other hand, CO is also suffering from the consequences of the grindingly unimaginative leadership of Larry Kellner. In business you can make money by cutting cost or adding value, or a combination of the two. Larry only understands cutting cost. The man does not have an imaginative or visionary bone in his body. He only knows how to count the bean.

Right now the airline is doing fine, but Larry Kellner is slowing sowing the seeds of CO's slow but inexorable decline as it continues to nickel and dime while all around it the industry continues developing and transforming.

At the current rate, CO will be the most out-of-date product in American skies within five years.

Yup, and it helps make CO a more attractive takeover target.

Wonderful. Now instead of Standard and SleazyPass we can begin to refer to awards as "Capacity Controlled", "Expanded Availability", and "Last Seat Availability". Gotta love the spin!

Totally AGREE!

The recent "enhancements" will drive some business from me to UA/AA. I will end up with about 140K REDUCTION due to the 500 RDM loss/ticket per YEAR! This was a FACTOR in why I decided to bring business TO CO!

With the well-known fact that "standard/saver/cheap" (whatever you want to call it) being MUCH MUCH easier to come by on UA/AA/US, I figured the 140-160K I would get in bonus every year would make up for the fact I may need to book easypass tix.

So loss of bonus, combined with no SWU's (VERY important to me!) will drive me to UA/AA. I will split my 300 flights a year with CO and either AA/UA (most likely UA as ORD/SFO/LAS from NY is a frequent dest. for me).

CO was regarded as the "cream of the crop" to me. Now it is STILL VERY VERY good...but quickly sliding. Does 'ole Lar have some language in his agreement that he gets $XXXXMM when CO is merged/taken over/sold off? He is heading towards the slippery slope of cutting costs, while still have TONS of dedicated FF'ers, cheap but profitable-turning into a class-lagging airline!

The previous changes led me to jump ship last year. The pity is that CO was such a wonderful product and value until the screws began to be tightened.

The main issue is not even so much the constant erosion of benefits (which is bad enough) it is the virtual complete lack of a plan or vision for the next generation product.

And when little, incremental changes are made (such as adding power outlets in certain Y cabins) they occur at a comically glacial pace. In some cases, such as the conversion of some 738's to mid-cabin configuration, the glacial pace of change is then stopped abruptly (without any notice).

I certainly understand CO's desire to make money. But CO will need to invest in itself in order to keep making money in the future. The business plan of making money primarily by eroding benefits and service is, virtually by definition, a sure fire plan for long-term problems.

any changes to the elite program or does that remain as is?

You do realize that doing something like this is a 10-15 year commitment (i.e., if they redesigned BF, they would be living with it for 10-15 years).

With that said, it is possible that with CO's reasonably strong product (compared to the previous generation business class products), they're holding out until all carriers make their investments and will be stuck with what they chose, so CO can come out with something unique and blow everyone else away. After all, think about how BF was when it first came out...pretty revolutionary.

But from a strategy perspective, being the last, but a leader, could pay off for years. And if this is indeed what they're doing, remaining quiet about it is the right tactic.

So I'm not convinced CO is not planning something. I have a feeling they are, and are deliberately being quiet until the UA and DL rollouts are well underway.

Hey! I finally used one of those on my non-upgraded flight from FRA-EWR today!

First one in 10 years with onepass.

So, how exactly does the December 1 change for the 500 CO.COM bonus miles jive with the fact that, TODAY, CO is supposed to give 60 days notice? I guess my calendar could be wrong or CO may not consider this part of the OP program, but it may not be perceived that way.

Based on Scott's original post "Hi Everyone, although these aren't yet available at continental.com, there are some upcoming OnePass changes that we want to make sure you're aware of" Looks like he considered it part of the OP program.

AA has QF J for 125K. I sure hope CO isn't going higher than that.