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Continental Airlines announced on June 19, 2008 that it intends to transition into the Star Alliance from the SkyTeam alliance as a result of a review that was conducted following the Delta-Northwest merger announcement. For the time being, the Continental/SkyTeam relationships are business-as-usual. Continental is committed to making this transition in a very customer-friendly manner. There will be a significant transition period, including regulatory approvals, for Continental to move from one alliance to another. Until further notice, OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles on SkyTeam airlines and SkyTeam lounge reciprocity continues as usual for SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on international SkyTeam itineraries.
 Larry Kellner (right), Chairman and CEO of Continental, and Glenn Tilton (left), Chairman, President and CEO of United, met at United's headquarters in Chicago Thursday, June 19, 2008 to sign a framework agreement outlining the systemwide alliance and cooperation principles between their carriers.
The change in alliances will allow Continental's customers to benefit from the larger Star Alliance network, which has truly global coverage including 20 airlines. Continental's customers can continue with all of their travel plans as they exist today, and no changes to OnePass accounts are necessary. In the future, after a transition period that we expect will last at least a year, OnePass members will start to have reciprocity for earning/redeeming miles on other Star Alliance airlines and the SkyTeam reciprocity will end. In addition, Continental's Platinum Elite members traveling on international Star Alliance itineraries will have access to Star Alliance lounges at a future, yet-to-be-determined date. In the U.S., Continental intends to code-share with United Airlines, a primary member of the Star Alliance, and code-sharing with Delta and Northwest will be phased out. We will communicate further details once they are confirmed. Further information about the Star Alliance is available at staralliance.com. In addition, a complete news release on Continental's Star Alliance announcement on this subject is available at continental.com Frequently Asked QuestionsOn Thursday, June 19, Continental announced plans to join the Star Alliance and to cooperate with United Airlines, linking our networks and services worldwide to deliver new benefits to our customers. Here are answers to your Frequently Asked Questions. We will continue to update this page as we work through the details of our planned cooperation with United and the Star Alliance. Current as of Tues., June 24, 2008 5:00 p.m. Central. Information is updated as it is received.
What is the Star Alliance?
The 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: Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss, TAP Portugal, Thai, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. The regional members include Adria, Croatia and Blue 1 Airlines. Why has Continental chosen the Star Alliance over remaining in SkyTeam?
Continental intends to transition into the Star Alliance from the SkyTeam Alliance as a result of a review that was conducted following the Delta-Northwest merger announcement. Our participation in the Star Alliance will allow Continental's customers to benefit from Star's larger travel network, which has global coverage including 20 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. 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. What is the time line for the plans?
We expect the transition period to last at least a year, and many regulatory and other approvals are required before we can implement our plans. Continental and United and the other Star Alliance members will begin making all necessary regulatory and other approvals that are required before we can implement our plans. Continental has obligations to the SkyTeam alliance and to Delta/Northwest for several months after the closing of the proposed Delta/Northwest merger, and plans to transition from SkyTeam to Star by the end of next year in a customer friendly manner. 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, the Star Alliance was voted "Best Airline Alliance" at the Business Travel Awards. Are there any changes to my upcoming reservations?
Continental's customers can continue with all of their travel plans as they exist today. How will this change affect my OnePass mileage accrual on SkyTeam partners?
In the future, OnePass members will start to receive reciprocal mileage accrual and redemption benefits on United and the other Star Alliance airlines, and the SkyTeam reciprocity will end. What will be the process for phasing out of the SkyTeam Alliance?
Continental is committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our customers. For the time being, there are no changes being made to Continental's participation in the SkyTeam Alliance. OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles on SkyTeam airlines and SkyTeam lounge reciprocity continues as usual for SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on international SkyTeam itineraries. Is the OnePass program changing with this announcement?
No, any change to the OnePass program would 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 and United frequent flyer accounts?
No. Customers will keep an account with one airline and use the reciprocity between programs to "earn and burn" on other airlines. When will mileage accrual start on the Star Alliance carriers and end on the SkyTeam Alliance carriers?
In the future, OnePass members will start to receive reciprocal mileage accrual and redemption benefits on other Star Alliance airlines and the SkyTeam reciprocity will end. Will I be able to use my current US Airways and United miles to redeem trips on Continental?
Yes. In the future, frequent flyer members of US Airways and United will be able to redeem miles for reward travel on Continental. 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 there will be plenty of time for our customers to use their OnePass miles on SkyTeam carriers, and for SkyTeam customers to use their miles on us. Moreover, after the transition, our customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on the broad array of Star partner airlines, and will have many more choices of destinations than we offer as a member of SkyTeam. How does this announcement impact Continental's non-SkyTeam alliance partners, such as COPA Airlines?
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. Will Continental change its product?
No changes are planned. Will I still be able to access the SkyTeam Lounges?
After Continental's planned exit from SkyTeam, you would have to meet the eligibility requirements set by SkyTeam. Will I be able to use the United Red Carpet Club and Star Alliance partner Lounges?
Presidents Club members will have access to both Continental's Presidents Club and United's Red Carpet Club® lounges. In addition, Continental's Platinum Elite members traveling on international Star Alliance itineraries will have access to Star Alliance lounges at a future, yet-to-be-determined date. Will I be able to use my Presidents Club card to access the Star Alliance partner Lounges?
In the future, Presidents Club members will have access to United's Red Carpet Club lounges as well as other select Star Alliance partner lounges. Specific Star Alliance partner lounge access for Presidents Club card holders is still being finalized. What will happen with the Presidents Club reciprocity agreements with Alaska Airlines, AeroMexico, Northwest and Delta?
For the time being, there are no changes being made to Presidents Club reciprocity agreements with AeroMexico, Northwest and Delta. Presidents Club members can continue to access the lounges of AeroMexico, Northwest and Delta based on the current lounge access policies for these carriers. Presidents Club reciprocity agreements with other current partnerships with carriers outside of SkyTeam, such as Alaska Airlines, will not be impacted but as is customary will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Will President's club membership give access to the same range of Star Alliance lounges that United's Red Carpet Club membership does?
In the future, Presidents Club members will have access to United's Red Carpet Club lounges as well as other select Star Alliance partner lounges. Specific Star Alliance partner lounge access for Presidents Club card holders is still being finalized. Will United's Red Carpet Club have the same admittance policy and amenities as the Presidents Clubs?
United, in its sole discretion, sets the admittance policy and determines the amenities available at its Red Carpet Club lounges. 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. For instance, Continental will be able to place its code on United flights on the U.S. west coast, allowing Continental to offer comprehensive north-south service throughout California, Oregon and Washington for the first time, and to offer nonstop service between the U.S. and additional points in Asia served today by United but not by Continental. 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 the Star Alliance. We will also be sending updates regarding the planned phase out of the Delta-Northwest codeshare. |
