HOUSTON, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced it has implemented new payment options for tickets purchased through the carrier's acclaimed Web site, continental.com. Customers purchasing tickets on continental.com are now able to pay for tickets using a personal checking account, a pay later option, or cash.
"Continental.com is the first travel Web site to offer the payment options of cash, check or deferred payment in addition to credit and debit cards, making the purchase of tickets online easier than ever before," said a Continental Airlines spokesperson.
Customers purchasing tickets at continental.com using the cash, check or pay later options before Dec. 31, 2004 will receive an electronic certificate valid for a five percent discount on a future Continental Airlines ticket.
Customers in the United States paying with a personal check over the Internet can use First Data Corporation's TeleCheck Internet Check Acceptance® (ICA®) service. By selecting "Pay By Online Check," the customer provides information to authorize a debit from their checking account. The ICA® service is fast, convenient and utilizes the same system that is used for automatic payroll deposits. Once a transaction is approved, a reservation confirmation e-mail is sent to the customer.
Customers in the U.S. using the Bill Me Later® service can make purchases without the use of a credit card and have the option to buy tickets immediately, but pay later. After selecting "Bill Me Later" when making a continental.com purchase, a reservation confirmation is sent via e-mail upon approval of a short application. A Bill Me Later® invoice is then sent to the customer in the mail.
Customers booking their flights at continental.com or with a Continental agent may take their reservation confirmation to any Western Union® Agent location and submit cash payment for tickets within 24 hours. This service is available at more than 45,000 Western Union® locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, 2,280 locations in the United Kingdom, and many other locations throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean.
Continental Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline with more than 3,000 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Continental serves 151 domestic and 120 international destinations -- more than any other airline in the world -- and nearly 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With 41,000 employees, the airline has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and carries approximately 51 million passengers per year. In 2004, Continental has earned awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. FORTUNE ranks Continental one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America, an honor it has earned for six consecutive years, and also ranks Continental as the top airline in its Most Admired Global Companies in 2004. The carrier won major awards at the 2004 OAG Airline of the Year Awards including "Airline of the Year," "Best Airline Based in North America" and "Best Executive/Business Class." For more company information, visit continental.com.
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