Continental Airlines Announces New Benefits and Other Changes to OnePass Program Members will earn miles and redemption opportunities on 24 major airlines with flights to over 950 cities worldwide upon Continental's entry into Star Alliance

HOUSTON, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced changes to its OnePass frequent flyer program, adding new benefits for its customers. Some of the changes will occur in conjunction with the airline joining Star Alliance on Oct. 27, 2009.

Continental's OnePass members will enjoy reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities with Star Alliance's 24 member airlines and will be able to connect to more than 950 cities all over the world.

"With our entry into Star Alliance along with several program changes, customers will find the OnePass program to be better than ever," said Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of marketing programs and distribution at Continental Airlines.

When Continental joins Star Alliance, OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members will become Star Alliance Gold members, gaining recognition and rewards across all member airlines in addition to OnePass benefits. Platinum and Gold Elite members will have access to more than 800 worldwide lounges when traveling on an international itinerary with any Star Alliance member airline, regardless of class of travel. Additionally, Platinum and Gold Elite members will receive an extra baggage allowance of up to three bags or 44 additional pounds (20 kg) on both Continental and Star Alliance member airlines and will receive priority services including priority airport check-in, boarding and baggage handling across the network.

In addition to these benefits, upcoming changes to the OnePass program include fewer fees for Platinum Elite members, no more Saturday-night stay required for reward travel and 100 percent Elite Qualification Miles and Points earnings on any ticket regardless of where it was bought or issued.

"With change comes opportunity, and we're working hard to ensure the transition to Star is smooth for our customers," said Bergsrud. "We look forward to bringing new benefits, better global coverage and more good news later this year."

Summary of Continental's New OnePass Policies

Effective on Oct. 27, 2009

• With Continental's entry into Star Alliance, mileage requirements for reward travel will change, effective for travel booked on or after Oct. 27, 2009. View Travel and Upgrade Reward Charts.
• Saturday-night stay no longer required for OnePass reward travel.
• 100 percent Elite Qualification Miles and Elite Qualification Points can be earned on discounted fares regardless of where the ticket is purchased or issued.
• BusinessFirst $100 upgrade co-pay no longer required of members using miles to upgrade from B fare class.
• Elite bonuses will be based on the minimum mileage earned instead of the actual flight miles flown.
  

Effective on Dec. 15, 2009

• New reward travel fees will apply for redeposits, reservation changes and flight bookings within 21 days of departure for rewards redeemed on or after Dec. 15, 2009. There will be no fee for Platinum Elite members. The Gold Elite fee will be $25, the Silver Elite fee will be $50 and for all other members the fee will be $75. These fees will apply per customer instead of per reservation. OnePass travel reward changes outside of 21 days of travel will remain free if there is no change to the origin and destination.
  

Effective on Jan. 1, 2010

• All members worldwide will earn 125 percent 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.
  

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 750 additional points are served via current alliance partners. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World's Most Admired Airline on its 2009 list of World's Most Admired Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.