Continental Airlines Updates…

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I’ve long considered Continental to be the best airline on which to earn elite status with.  While AA’s EXP status is arguably the finest example of elite status that can be earned with miles flown, that status requires 100,000 elite qualifying miles in a calendar year to attain. For anything less than that you’re probably best off with Continental.  At any rate here are some interesting tidbits from them, much of it courtesy of Flyertalk user “sbm12.”

-All elites can now get upgraded to first class at the time of purchase on Y (full-fare) and B (discount full-fare) tickets.

-Date changes on award tickets will go from being $150 to being free as long as the origin and destination cities remain the same and it is done over 21 days in advance of the flight.  Changes within 21 days will now be $75.

-Effective in March confirmed changes at the connection city will be go from $50 to being free.

-LiveTV will begin being launched next month and will cost $6 in coach and free in first. Limited Wi-fi will be launched later this year and will be free for all passengers.

-Lie-flat seats in BusinessFirst will begin being installed on 777 aircraft in September, on 757 aircraft in November, and on 767 aircraft next January.  The process will take about 20 months for the fleet to be converted over.

-Non-elites can now purchase first class upgrades for $50-$250 at the check-in kiosk but will be prioritized after all elites and their companions have been given complimentary upgrades.

-Northwest and Delta elites will no longer receive free checked luggage when flying on Continental as those airlines do not let Continental passengers receive free checked luggage when flying Northwest/Delta.

-Continental will leave the Skyteam alliance on 10/24/09. No Skyteam flights after 10/24/09 will earn miles on Continental.  Tickets booked on Skyteam partners before 10/24 for travel after 10/24 will be honored. There will likely be a short period of time of Continental not belonging to any alliance before being integrated into the Star Alliance.

-Integrating a deep relationship with United will be the main point of concern during the transition in order to get the benefits of what a merger would’ve brought without the risks. Expect full club reciprocity with the relationship.

-Continental Silver (25K EQM’s) will be Star Alliance Silver. Continental Gold and Platinum (50K and 75K EQM’s respectively) will be Star Alliance Gold.

-Continental will not follow United’s lead in intentionally blocking alliance airline’s award availability (Starnet blocking).

-ETA on the 787 dreamliner is Q2 2011.