Elite Reservation Guarantee Useless?
Dec 20, 2007 | 2:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: FL400
Programs: AA 5MM EXP, UA 2MM 1K, HH LT DIA, MR Plat, NRAC EEV, AMEX Plat
Posts: 682
Elite Reservation Guarantee Useless?
Confirmed Reservations: Platinum Elite members receive confirmed reservations -- even when a flight is sold out -- when purchasing an unrestricted Y class ticket at least 24 hours prior to departure. Gold and Silver Elite members must purchase at least 48 hours prior to departure. (Available on most flights operated by Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines only. See SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits for long-haul SkyTeam-operated flights.)
Dec 20, 2007 | 2:44 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
This has been discussed a few times (and I've been rejected before as well, so I share your ). It is a benefit that you can almost never actually take advantage of. It stinks, but that's the way it is.
). It is a benefit that you can almost never actually take advantage of. It stinks, but that's the way it is.
Dec 20, 2007 | 2:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 284
Try to collect on just about any of Continental "guarantees." You will find that they have so many loopholes, etc that they are virtually worthless. The guarantee is to lull you into feeling better to part with your money. After that you can say goodbye to it.
Dec 20, 2007 | 3:02 pm
#4
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Location: DEN
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I would love the straight scoop on this...like, what is "too full"? I used it once; if I need to use it again and am denied, I will be very cranky.
Dec 20, 2007 | 3:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,925
I interpret this to mean that the probably of getting volunteers on low fares to give up their seat is low. At very peak times like this - the flights are all full - so getting a volunteer is unlikely.
Hotel guarantees are the same way - guaranteed availability for top tier hotel elites, except there are a few high peak situations where the guarantee does not apply.
Hotel guarantees are the same way - guaranteed availability for top tier hotel elites, except there are a few high peak situations where the guarantee does not apply.
Dec 20, 2007 | 3:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: TX
Posts: 43
Ok, so I will be the one who is contrary here. I have used it sucessfully at least 10 times over the last year, and I think it is one of the better benefits. I can certainly see them capping the total number of reservations at times to prevent IDBs, but all in all it works well for me (IAH based).
Dec 20, 2007 | 4:13 pm
#7
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I interpret this to mean that the probably of getting volunteers on low fares to give up their seat is low. At very peak times like this - the flights are all full - so getting a volunteer is unlikely.
Hotel guarantees are the same way - guaranteed availability for top tier hotel elites, except there are a few high peak situations where the guarantee does not apply.
Hotel guarantees are the same way - guaranteed availability for top tier hotel elites, except there are a few high peak situations where the guarantee does not apply.
As others have indicated, CO tends to play a little loose with the meaning of words such as "guarantee."
Dec 20, 2007 | 4:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Austin, TX
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Posts: 820
Perhaps CO Insider can fill us in on what the exceptions to "most flights" are.
[emphasis added]
Confirmed Reservations: Platinum Elite members receive confirmed reservations -- even when a flight is sold out -- when purchasing an unrestricted Y class ticket at least 24 hours prior to departure. Gold and Silver Elite members must purchase at least 48 hours prior to departure. (Available on most flights operated by Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines only.)
Dec 20, 2007 | 5:25 pm
#9
Company Representative, United Airlines
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
Hi texd, we clearly have an opportunity to re-evaluate this policy and do a better job of setting expectations for this benefit. And I know this issue does tend to come up around the peak holiday periods. When we say "most flights," this applies to sold-out flights that we're willing to overbook up to a certain level. On heavily overbooked flights and/or flights where we have little room to recover (like during the holiday peaks), we do inhibit any further overbooking. This doesn't apply to all flights that are sold out, just the ones where it could be a near impossibility to reaccomodate customers.
Dec 20, 2007 | 5:46 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
thanks, scott. yes, continental does need to do a better job in communicating the benefit. having said that, as a platinum i don't expect to be able to get a last minute seat to anywhere over the holidays. it's just not a reasonable expectation. starwood has a similar benefit and similar restriction. i don't expect to get a last minute room in the super bowl city, either.
Dec 20, 2007 | 7:30 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 2,596
I tried to do this a few weeks back. And was no go. And this was 4 weeks before the flight.
Dec 21, 2007 | 12:00 am
#13
Original Poster
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Dec 21, 2007 | 7:23 am
#14
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Doing the math, it would seem to be an attempt to force on to a "holiday" flight. As noted above, this is the time of year when the "most flights" clause is likely to be invoked; four weeks out is nothing when considering Xmas flights.