Scott, thanks. This is on the whole good, except for mileage increases for redemptions to/from EU and Asia. At least they're small increases and not mass devaluation.

I'll have to recompute my comparison charts on the DL board regarding redemption costs. CO still wins but by a slightly smaller margin than before.

SDC for Plats and the fee waiver is great. A real benefit, not an :-:enhancement:-: (a term that should be reserved for DL).

But the big deal, as always, is direct, clear and open communication with the OPE, giving us both the confidence and the incentive to accumulate as many OP miles as possible in 2010. I only had 50k EQM booked for 2010 so far, but I'll step it up soon.

This is the absolute inverse of the Deltified mess over at NW and the disappointing maneuvering to reduce transparency regarding benefits - and the actual program benefits - as practiced by DL. I know, we shouldn't be surprised by these activities from airlines that don't even deign to publish their award charts and impose hated "International Origination Surcharges" on awards.

Anyway, you can be sure that any and all of my business goes to CO for these reasons. OP is more competitive than before, yes.

Still, it's a shame about the final end of the NW/CO partnership - from a customer viewpoint, hands down, the best in the industry and an example of what some claimed was/is impossible.

I wonder if future goodies include SWUs for Plats who exceed thresholds beyond 75K - perhaps tied in some way to standard award availability for use.

I only hope we don't get another double whammy. I think most of us remember the hoopla and celebration when Elite Access was rolled out - a couple days after dancing on our Blue Carpets, we were hit with the 50% EQM change.

Kind of like butter up, then slap down :)

However, I think these changes offer insight into two courses of action - prepare for *A harmonization, but also re-energize the competitive side of OnePass to go after DL and AA.

And I never thought CO would reverse so many past, negative decisions overnight. Remember it was just about a year ago when CO had posted they stand behind the 50% EQM rule.

It looke like they've finally grown up and realized that the protectionist regime isn't the right thing to do in the context of a major global alliance and a joint-venture they're about to join.

I can't help but think that these changes, joining *A, and Larry's departure are not coincidental.

The lack of Starnet blocking is extremely attractive! Makes me question my UA 1K status and is a big explanation for me moving business over to AA this year (plus, I liked the fact that AA EXPs get First Class lounge access on international flights). The one thing that keeps me linked to UA and AA is their great systemwide upgrades -- for someone like me who travels internationally quite a bit, those are a prerequisite for any program. If CO adds those ... where do I sign up? :)

I think the former is the key. It would be difficult for CO to have its customers sitting next to UA customers on the same plane, talking, when CO had a significantly weaker program.

Now, aside from SWUs (and as you say, maybe we'll see that), and certificate ugrades vs. EUA, the programs are very much similar, barring some nuances here or there.

What I'm hoping is that CO is not just doing this to match UA, rather these changes really reflect a mindshift in CO regarding the loyalty program -- in that they want the loyalty program to drive buisness, rather than being a necessary cost just because the competitors do it.

Every item can be justified in some way. You can argue that not charging Platinums a $25 SDC fee is a loss of revenue. You can also argue that waiving the $25 SDC fee for Platinums helps ensure that his future business comes to CO since he knows he can take advantage of that perk and frees up a seat later for sale or IRROPS handling for a misconnected customer. Which is the bigger win? $25 in the pocket (or not filling that empty seat if the customer decided to not spend the $25 and instead drink CO's beer in the club for an extra hour or two)? Or the happy customer who changed for free, plus the second customer who misconnected but was quickly reaccommodated because he didn't have to overnight since space was now available on a flight he could use?

As you can see from the positive reaction here, people are already more apt to give CO business because of a more generous program. Plus with 100% EQM regardless of booking channel, it lays the groundwork for 100% EQM for UA flyers flying CO as well -- we will likely see more UA flyers try out CO, or use CO when it's convenient. CO's southern and Texas networks will come in handy for UA.

While I'm sure there is some cost associated with positive changes, hopefully this will pay off for them and prove it was the right thing to do.

Even after CO Insider's answer, I am still unclear. Does the Amtrak change apply to the Acela trains as well? I am frequently on the NYP-WAS Acela and a lot of my Continental EQM earnings comes from taking this train often. Does this mean that this benefit is going away or only the Amtrak codeshares to EWR?

"Better Elite bonuses on short-haul flights. Effective Oct. 27, Elite bonuses will be based on the 500 minimum mileage earned instead of the actual miles flown. This falls into the “every little bit counts” category"

Oh, thank you thank you thank you! I start and end every flight with 72 miles CLL-IAH!

This will make a big difference!

can u cross the border to go to SZX and then it uses only 25K?

Hi vdostoi1, Elite mileage bonuses, Elite Qualification Miles, and Elite Qualification Points will no longer be offered on Amtrak - this encompasses all services including Continental codeshares and Acela.

THANK YOU!

Just today I completed my status match from NW/DL to CO, so count yourself up one customer at least :) I plan to completely switch over all travel because this is a great program. My only hesitation to move in the past had been the 50% EQMs (yes, I'm one of the corporate travel hostages) and now you've solved that. As well, being *A gold is such a bonus, for me based out of YYZ.

The one other thing I'd love to see (which has already been mentioned) is reciprocal upgrades on other *A carriers (for me AC would be HUGE!)

Again, thank you. COInsider, you seem like a stand-up guy and reminicent of NWScoop of years gone by - great to see ^

Thanks, Scott.

Welcome to Continental!

You'll have a great experience here - just use OLCI and avoid eye contact and conversations with the YYZ agents and you will be fine :)

Hopefully CO will move to T1/2 and we'll get a nicer, larger terminal and the Maple Leaf Lounge.

Not only that, on the award chart.

N Asia - N Asia = 25k
S Asia - S Asia = 25k
S Asia - N Asia = 20k

So it is cheaper to do SIN-ICN than SIN-HKG or SIN-BKK. At least UA Intra S.Asia is 20k and SIN/BKK-NRT on UA is 20K also. Otherwise, CO is just like UA single out Japan for higher redemption rates. NRT-CNS on CO is pretty good deal for 35K. Also RTW only Y/C/F 160/220/280 looks very good. How many stops does CO allow on RTW trip?

I didn't think of it. That works if the carrier of choice (ANA) flies to SZX. I don't want to redeem on CA or make another transfer besides the trip to SZX.

Looks like I have to plan differently then.

Even if they do accidentally qualify for Silver: You'll be Gold, so what do you care? :D