Don't understand this error message
 

"We are unable to complete the check-in process as a valid eTicket coupon cannot be found. Please contact a Continental Representative at 1-800-300-1547 for assistance."

Why Not? I have a valid reservation.

Tried to check in at the 24 hour mark for a low sequence number for FC standby and I kept getting the above message for about a minute. Then it finally lets me in and I get sequence #11? How is this possible?

How do I get an e ticket coupon number that the system recognizes with out check in problems.

Thanks!

It's still 23:59, based on my own very very recent observations. Not 24:00.

That happens to me sometimes when I try to check in RIGHT at the 24hr mark. I don't really know why it happens, but usually within about 5 minutes it figures out that I do actually have a valid eTicket. The fact that you're 11 in the sequence could mean that others beat you to it at 24hrs or that there were 10 connecting passengers that were able to check in hours before you.

Also, the fact that you were able to finally check in is your indication that you do, in fact, have a valid eTicket number.

I have taken that error message to mean that there is no e-ticket coupon with that number that is yet eligible for online check in. It goes away as soon as your flight is eligible to check in on line

Two things:
1) The SEQ number s the last tie-breaker after status and fare bucket, so it is important, but I woulnd't stress so much about it.

2) You are #11 because there are 10 other people checked in ahead of you, likely on connecting flights so their 23:59 window started from their initial flight, not from the flight you're checking in for. Even more fun is a continuation flight number where you can be number 80 for an ERJ or in the mid 200s for a 757/738. Those are interesting.

OK thanks for the responses. I checked in within less than 24 hours, so that is not the problem. Concerning the sequence number: it must be connections from west coast markets. I thought that would be against the federal 24- hour guideline. Thanks again.

Just splitting hairs, but SEQ number isn't actually the tie breaker. It's the time added to the FC standby list.

SEQ is often used as an indicator of that, because they're usually the same, but they're not always.

Perfect example, I was recently on a 2-pax PNR (2 Plats), and I didn't realize that if there are 2 Elites on a PNR, it won't add either party to the FC standby list via OLCI (I won't make that mistake again!).

So, while we were SEQ 1 and SEQ 2, but not on the list. We did not get on the list until the airport could resolve it, which was much, much later.

I also notice this happening if I enter my confirmation number to the online check-in box instead of logging in and using the "check in now" link near the 24 hour mark.