Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Discontinued Programs/Partners > Continental OnePass (Pre-Merger)
Reload this Page >

When was the last time anybody saw a standard reward flight available?

When was the last time anybody saw a standard reward flight available?

 
Old Jul 15, 2008, 8:31 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass®, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
Question When was the last time anybody saw a standard reward flight available?

Some time ago I booked a couple of FC reward tickets to attend wife's family get-together in Sept., and, of course, schedule changes screwed up everything.

Of course FC ain't available so I have the option of flying coach for the same NonePass® miles since standard rewards seem to have become extinct.

Time restrictions prevent me from transfering miles to Amtrak and taking the choo-choo.

I'm thinking the unthinkable, and considering just buying tickets on Southwest, which is about $100 cheaper then CO, and WN is adding, not reducing flights, so future schedule cuts are less likely. Wife agrees that WN provides a better travel experience then COEX Jungle Jets.
snake is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 8:59 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K, UA 1MM
Posts: 234
I see them all the time. The wife and I recently got standard FC tix to Aruba.
Nesta is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:07 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bklyn, NY. ex-UA 1P, ex-US pref, ex-CO plat, ex-DL sil, ex-HH dmnd. Presently Free Agent
Posts: 391
I got three EWR-SNA RT's in August a few weeks back, but I had to log in every morning for about a month until they showed up.
laguardiaguy is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:08 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,668
Just booked a summer ORD-TLV trip with standard availability!
ctownflyer is online now  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:09 am
  #5  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL Diamond, B6 Mosaic, AS MPV Gold, UA Gold MM, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 16,679
Earlier this year I flew with two family members IAH-LGW in BusinessFirst on three standard award tickets.
ssullivan is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:11 am
  #6  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
booked a few Open jaw with connections on other ST partners in Europe for Standard Coach, yea BF was available too

Actually this year theres a great amount of availablity not like as yrs past
craz is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:14 am
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: Kommissar Giga-Posting Direktor, PWP; Fasano Nouveau Aristocrat; CO Platinum; BD Gold; MR Gold
Posts: 18,733
I see many right now, and just booked a standard J reward to Asia yesterday (mostly on partners because of better scheduling and J products).
CO 1E is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:25 am
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 193
Originally Posted by snake
I'm thinking the unthinkable, and considering just buying tickets on Southwest, which is about $100 cheaper then CO, and WN is adding, not reducing flights, so future schedule cuts are less likely. Wife agrees that WN provides a better travel experience then COEX Jungle Jets.
Not sure I understand why flying WN is "unthinkable," esp since WN has a superior Y product to any CO Y.
DH77024 is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:27 am
  #9  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
Just booked a coach *cough* standard award to YYZ for Labor Day weekend, departing on the Friday afternoon before the holiday.

I could have booked F at the standard level, but didn't want to waste the extra 25K miles on a routing with two ERJs.

At least CO didn't charge me $800 in taxes, surcharges, marketing costs, air use fees, flight attendant expenses and a pilot lunch box fee like Delta would have done on the same routing.
bocastephen is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:27 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: AA PLAT; Hilton Gold; Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 252
Originally Posted by snake
Some time ago I booked a couple of FC reward tickets to attend wife's family get-together in Sept., and, of course, schedule changes screwed up everything.
Who's schedule changes? Your's or Continental's?
n5177c is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:33 am
  #11  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
Originally Posted by DH77024
Not sure I understand why flying WN is "unthinkable," esp since WN has a superior Y product to any CO Y.
Yes, I particularly enjoy reading about WN's complimentary inflight entertainment, their free food, and those pillows/blankets they provide.
bocastephen is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 9:52 am
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX,SNA,CLD,SAN
Programs: UA PP/Marriott Platinum Elite/Hyatt Diamond/Avis Preferred/Hertz Presidential
Posts: 602
Originally Posted by bocastephen
Yes, I particularly enjoy reading about WN's complimentary inflight entertainment, their free food, and those pillows/blankets they provide.
Wait one second. If you think getting pillows and blankets, a 2 day old turkey sandwich and a movie are worth 100.00 more on your travel day, then you need to stop drinking the kool-aid. Seriously, are you nuts? By a book, put a movie or 2 on your Ipod, bring a inflatable pillow and put a 100.00 in your pocket a few times a year.

Don't get me wrong CO is by far the best airline out there, IMO, but 100.00 is 100.00.
y2k1jetta is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 10:14 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ROC
Posts: 139
Originally Posted by bocastephen
Yes, I particularly enjoy reading about WN's complimentary inflight entertainment, their free food, and those pillows/blankets they provide.
WN does have pillows/blankets.
emmpee is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 11:46 am
  #14  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
Originally Posted by y2k1jetta
Wait one second. If you think getting pillows and blankets, a 2 day old turkey sandwich and a movie are worth 100.00 more on your travel day, then you need to stop drinking the kool-aid. Seriously, are you nuts? By a book, put a movie or 2 on your Ipod, bring a inflatable pillow and put a 100.00 in your pocket a few times a year.

Don't get me wrong CO is by far the best airline out there, IMO, but 100.00 is 100.00.
WN, B6 and the like are not 100 cheaper across the board. Quite often, WN prices out the same as a legacy, and sometimes even more - with a stack of stops and connections along the way.

One of the greatest marketing scams the airline industry has ever perpetuated is the notion that LCC carriers are consistently LFC - low fare carriers.

Every customer should price out their trip comparing all the available options - perhaps WN is not the cheapest, but US is. Maybe DL is cheaper. It all depends. However, to both WN and B6's credit, many silly Kettles don't even bother doing a comparison check - they just assume that Southwest or jetBlue are the cheapest option because they are - Southwest and jetBlue.
bocastephen is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2008, 12:07 pm
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 193
Originally Posted by bocastephen
Yes, I particularly enjoy reading about WN's complimentary inflight entertainment, their free food, and those pillows/blankets they provide.
The complimentary inflight entertainment, free food, and pillows/blankets do not make up for the miserable pitch and crowded conditions in CO Y.

Don't get me wrong, I love flying CO F, but if I have to sit in the back of the bus, WN has the better flying experience, imo.
DH77024 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.