Been with Continental for 7 years now and I have been using my miles to travel for vacation in the past. I tried booking one this morning and they have started charging 80 dollars of service fee now. Big time sucker!!!! Just a heads-up for onepass members here. Wish Virgin America would operate in Houston.. LET VA FLY
What?!? So much for having the best frequent flyer program. That really sucks. I almost have enough to get a free flight.
I've been almost exclusively loyal to Continental for over a decade now, but in the past few years, I've been getting irritated by what I've perceived as an increasingly cut-corner and nickel & dime business direction. I fly to DC a bunch, and the last several flights I've been shoe horned onto the smallest possible jets (the crummy Embraer RJ145). This is a 3 hr flight, made into a 3.5 hr flight with leg room for only one of your two feet, because Continental wants to squeeze out slightly better fuel mileage. It sucks. I stuck with Continental because I was okay with paying a little more to ensure I wasn't getting an Airtran experience. Now, Airtran doesn't seem that much different. On my way home from Beijing, Continental worked overtime to get me to quit using them. 14 hr flight and all the video players in my row (10 seats) were fubar. Made the mistake of eating the final meal of the flight which made me ill (no way it could have been anything else when continental food was all I had for 14 hrs). Land in Newark, do the customs and security obstacle course before racing to my gate (1 hr between flights), only to have the boarding delayed an hour and a half. Finally get on, and the AC on the plane is busted. We sit on the tarmac for ANOTHER hour and a half with them blowing 87 deg outside air on us and the plane crew being hardcases about you staying in the seats and not using electronics. Complete and utter garbage. Consider the loyalty gone. Evan
Just wondering, did you book your flight within 24 hours of flying, cause i think they're charging that fee where if you book really late, say you have to fly out in less thatn 24 hours, its around $80 or so. I got the same charge tacked on to me when i used my onepass miles.
Well, I've told you guys about Continental before with the credit card situation. They don't care and I've been a one pass member for over 10 years.
Every airline company has stories about them like this - they're all pretty inefficent and almost customer-hostile in many situations.
There is no fee if you book 15 days in advance. The fee within 4-14 days ranges from 35-50 dollars based on your elite status. Travel within 3 days costs 50-75 dollars depending on elite status. Changes fees range from 35-50 dollars. Not to be an ass, but you should have read the rules or at least asked why you were being charged for the flight. The CSR would have then told you what I just told you. I am sure they sent you an updated policy with your onepass balance in the mail.
I have a bunch of miles I plan on using for a trip next summer...I've been trying to book the past week and nothing happens...No options for flights...hmm.. Well, for long trips, i would use continental (ie. greater than 3 hours), but otherwise, Southwest is the way to go...
