Continental to Join Star Alliance - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

OnePass Frequent Flyer Program

Program and Accounts

Is the OnePass program changing with this announcement?

No. Any change to the OnePass program will be announced separately and is not a part of this announcement.

Will the frequent flyer programs be combined?

There are no plans to combine the programs at this time. Each will function with reciprocity under the Star Alliance umbrella.

Will customers be able to combine Continental Airlines and United Airlines frequent flyer accounts?

No. Customers will keep an account with one airline and use the reciprocity between programs to earn and redeem miles on other airlines.

Won't your transition to Star impact Continental customers who are accustomed to booking, checking in, traveling on and using frequent flyer program benefits on carriers like Northwest, Delta and Air France?

Continental will work to provide a customer friendly transition from SkyTeam to Star. We are known in the industry for being customer friendly, and our customers can continue to use their OnePass miles on SkyTeam carriers and for SkyTeam customers to use their miles on us until our last flight on Oct. 24, 2009. Moreover, after the transition, our customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on the broad array of Star Alliance airlines and will have many more choices of destinations than we offer as a member of SkyTeam.

Will I continue to receive Elite upgrades with Northwest until Oct. 24, 2009?

Yes. You will continue to receive Elite upgrade privileges on Northwest through Oct. 24, 2009, or the date of the Delta SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks loyalty program integration, whichever comes earlier.

Mileage Accrual

How do I receive frequent flyer credit for traveling on a Star Alliance member carrier on or after Oct. 27? new

The ability to earn frequent flyer credit for travel on Star Alliance members will become effective on Oct. 27, 2009. Starting on that date, Continental OnePass members will be able provide their OnePass number to any Star Alliance member carrier for OnePass mileage and Elite qualification credit. Also on this date, frequent flyers of our future Star Alliance partners will be able to add their frequent flyer number to their Continental reservation for mileage credit at continental.com, at check-in, over the phone or at the airport.

I am flying on Oct. 25 or Oct. 26, 2009 on a Star Alliance airline. Will I earn miles for my trip? new

We expect to begin participating in Star Alliance on Oct. 27, 2009. We will make every effort to ensure you automatically receive OnePass mileage credit (including Elite Qualification Miles/Points) if you travel on a Star Alliance airline on Oct. 25 or Oct. 26. Please save copies of your travel documents for Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 — eTicket receipts and original boarding passes — until mileage credit is confirmed on your OnePass statement.

When will mileage accrual start on the Star Alliance carriers and end on the SkyTeam Alliance carriers?

Continental expects to begin participation in Star Alliance on Oct. 27, 2009. Continental intends to end its participation in the SkyTeam Alliance after our last scheduled flight on Oct. 24, 2009.

How will this change affect my OnePass mileage accrual on SkyTeam partners?

OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles and make reward reservations on SkyTeam partners until our last scheduled flight on Oct. 24, 2009.

Can I request missing mileage credit for my Delta and Northwest flights after Oct. 24, 2009?

Yes. As long as your travel took place prior to Oct. 25, 2009, you have six months from the date of travel to request missing mileage credits.

Reward Travel

Will I be able to use my current US Airways and United miles to redeem trips on Continental?

Yes. In the future, we expect that frequent flyer members of US Airways and United will be able to redeem miles for reward travel on Continental.

May I continue to book OnePass reward travel on Delta and Northwest flights using miles?

Yes. You may continue to book and ticket reward travel on Delta and Northwest through Oct. 24, 2009. All reward travel on Delta and Northwest must be completed on or before Oct. 24, 2010.

Can I make changes to my reward travel on Delta and Northwest after Oct. 24, 2009?

Yes. You may request a change to another flight on the same SkyTeam carrier or change to a Continental flight. All travel must be completed on or before October 24, 2010. If reward seats for the requested change are not available on the same SkyTeam carrier or on Continental, we will waive the fee to redeposit miles to the account from which they were originally withdrawn.

Who should I contact regarding my reward travel changes after Oct. 24, 2009?

You should continue to contact Continental for all of your OnePass reward issues.

Reservations and Traveling

Are there any changes to my upcoming reservations?

Continental's customers can continue with all of their travel plans as they exist today.

Will Continental change its product?

No changes are planned.

Am I still able to book my Delta and Northwest flights with Continental?

Yes. When requested, Delta and Northwest flight options will be offered.

Airport Lounge Access

I am flying on Oct. 25 or Oct. 26, 2009, on a Star Alliance airline. Will I be allowed access to a Star Alliance partner's lounge during this time? new

We anticipate that our participation in the Star Alliance will begin on Oct. 27, 2009. We will make every effort to ensure eligible customers have access to Star Alliance partner lounges on Oct. 25 or Oct. 26.

Will I be able to use my Presidents Club card to access United's Red Carpet Club lounges as well as other Star Alliance partner Lounges after Oct. 27, 2009? new

Yes, Presidents Club members will have access to the Red Carpet Club lounges as well as the other Star Alliance lounges. In addition, Continental's Platinum Elite and Gold members traveling on international Star Alliance itineraries will have access to Star Alliance lounges upon Continental joining Star.

Will I still be able to access the SkyTeam Lounges? new

After our last flight on Oct. 24, 2009, customers will have to meet the eligibility requirements set by SkyTeam to access the SkyTeam Lounges.

What will happen with the Presidents Club agreements with Aeromexico and Alaska Airlines? new

Presidents Club members can continue to access the lounges of Aeromexico based on the current lounge access policy through Oct. 24, 2009. Presidents Club agreements with current partnerships outside of SkyTeam may be impacted but as is customary will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

The Transition Process

Background Information

Why did Continental evaluate merging with another airline or changing its alliance affiliation?

As we have been saying consistently, the industry around Continental is changing — which it is with the merger of Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines and with the significant rise in the price of fuel combined with a weak dollar and a "soft" U.S. economy. Continental needed to make changes to its business plan to react to the changing industry. We have taken the difficult step to reduce the size of the airline as current economic conditions warrant, and we believe the planned re-orientation of alliances is a further step to ensure the competitiveness of Continental.

Why has Continental chosen the Star Alliance over remaining in SkyTeam?

Continental intends to transition into Star Alliance from SkyTeam as a result of a review that was conducted following the Delta-Northwest merger announcement. Our participation in Star Alliance will allow Continental's customers to benefit from Star's larger travel network, which has global coverage including 24 airlines. Continental and United will be offering more benefits to consumers than what can be provided through any other alliance arrangement — more travel options to more destinations on more flights with more available seats and fare/inventory options for consumers in an end-to-end manner with little overlap.

As a member of the traveling public, how will I benefit from this proposal?

Once implemented, our partnership with United will result in expanded domestic and international travel options for OnePass members and together, we will provide you with a seamless process for reservations, check-in, flight connections and baggage transfer. By joining the Star Alliance and cooperating with United, Continental will be able to offer members of the traveling public seamless service over a broader route network.

How does this announcement impact Continental's alliance with COPA Airlines and non-SkyTeam alliance partners?

Continental and COPA Airlines have a long standing relationship which is not impacted by this announcement. Continental's other current partnerships with carriers outside of SkyTeam will also not be impacted but as is customary will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

How can I stay informed of the planned changes?

Make sure you are subscribed to the OnePass News & Offers e-mail. We will update you as we continue to develop our planned partnership with United and participation in Star Alliance.

Time Line

What is the time line for the transition? new

Continental intends to end its participation in the SkyTeam Alliance after our last scheduled flight on Oct. 24, 2009. Continental expects our participation in Star Alliance will begin on Oct. 27, 2009. We expect the transition period to last through the fourth quarter of 2009, and many regulatory and other approvals are required before we can implement our plans. Continental and United and the other Star Alliance members are in the process of securing all such necessary regulatory and other approvals.

What will be the process for phasing out of the SkyTeam Alliance? new

Continental will end its participation in the SkyTeam Alliance after our last scheduled flight on Oct. 24, 2009. Additionally, by this same date, Continental will cease all codesharing activity with SkyTeam carriers. OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles on SkyTeam airlines and SkyTeam lounge reciprocity continues for SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on international SkyTeam itineraries through Oct. 24, 2009. Continental recognizes these are big changes and is committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our customers.

Why is Continental discontinuing its codeshare participation with Delta and Northwest before exiting SkyTeam?

Our codeshare agreement that governs cooperation between Continental, Delta and Northwest expired on July 30, 2009.

Star Alliance Information

What is the Star Alliance?

Star Alliance was the first global alliance of its type when created in 1997 by a grouping of airlines to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Just like SkyTeam and Continental's participation there, customers in Star Alliance can:

• Earn and redeem frequent flyer points with all member airlines
• Become eligible for elite status recognition
• Have access to first, business class and other airport lounges operated worldwide by any alliance member
• Benefit from the co-location of alliance members at airport locations when/where possible to reduce connection/wait times and to improve customer service handling
• The alliance offers more than 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries.
• The current members of the alliance include: Adria Airways, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Blue1, bmi, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways Intl., Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.

How does Star Alliance compare with other global alliances?

By membership and scope around the globe, Star Alliance is the largest of the three airline groupings. In 2007 and 2008, Star Alliance was voted "Best Airline Alliance" at the Business Travel Awards.