As usual I am impressed! Thank you CO Insider.
I am intrigued most by this:

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no surprise the new reward chart looks remarkably like uniteds in format and for the most part numbers.

good to see virgin/emirates redrmption remains

plat exemptions much appreciated

IMHO, very positive changes
 

Excellent ^
Excellent ^
Excellent ^
Excellent ^

Wonder what that could mean????????????

Question:

I have a RT Reward ticket to Germany for next May/June 2010.
Outbound on AF to MUC, then MUC to TXL on AF (via CDG), then return from TXL to USA on CO. This was a 50K reward, with one stopover.

The new chart shows 55K for USA-Europe Saverpass.

If I wanted to change a segment - say MUC to TXL on a nonstop LH - do I have to completely reticket and pay the 5k extra miles? Same if I want to change the IAD-CDG-MUC on AF to a non-stop IAD-MUC on LH or UA?

More questions:

1. What is BF considered (First or Business)? I assume Business.

2. What is the time frame for confirming Platinum Elite same day ticket changes for no fee? 24 hours before, anytime before travel? Does same fare class need to be available?

Wow -- that looks good! What happened with Amtrak? There will be no more EQM earning opportunities, but it looks like RDM earning will remain. Will there be any changes to the codeshare arrangements and/or mileage redemption with Amtrak? One could ask similar questions about US Helicopter.

Thanks, Scott! These are good changes, and are greatly appreciated... especially the 100% EQM for corporate travel. Thank you, thank you!!!

^^^

Correct. The chart is pretty explicit on this: "Business Class (includes First Class on two-cabin aircraft)"

And the platinum SDC fee waiver will be at the same time as all other SDCs.

Effective Jan. 1, 2010:
• All members worldwide will earn 125% base miles on F, C, J and D fare classes.
• All members worldwide will earn 1.5 Elite Qualification Points when they purchase and fly in fare classes F, C, J, D, Z, Y and B on flights operated by Continental. :td:

With the loss of earning on EK, does that mean that redemptions are going away as well?

FINALLY an actual awards chart all on one page ^^

Thanks for sharing this and keeping us informed.

I guess the extra 50% EQM bonus for European OnePass members who sit at the pointy end is going away. That's a change from 200% to 125%. Ouch!

EDITED TO CORRECT: I'm not sure whether I read it wrong or it changed above, but RDM will now be 125% and EQM remains at 150%... except for the "worldwide" which takes 50% EQM from those in certain special programs CO ran for those who live outside the US...

In the definition of the classes, the reward chart states:

Business Class (includes First Class on two-cabin aircraft)
First Class (applies only to Star Alliance partner flights that offer both a Business Class and First Class cabin)


So, yes, it sounds like BF is Business.

Wow, I'm very positively impressed. #2 & #6 are the most meaningful to me.

Scott, the only unanswered question is confirmation that the earning levels will remain the same (25 EQM/30 EQP, 50 EQM/60 EQP, 75 EQM/90 EQP).

Good to hear that there's no more complicated chart with redemption miles based on which airline I take. Now like many other mileage programs, CO has single mile regardless of airline. Great.