Continental Leaving Sky-Team Alliance w Delta & Northwest

[DandyDon]

The rumors had been circulating, but now the reality is starting to hit. I've been using Continental since Delta quit Lubbock a few years ago and enjoying the Elite perks, but that is screeching to a halt...!

(1) On a recent Lubbock to Cozumel trip, there was certainly no warning when I booked the ticket, but Continental no longer allows 2 bags free up to 70# each as they have for Delta Elite members for years, and I got that news at 4am check-in. I could have packed more prudently, but at the moment - it was all I could do to pay the $125 extra and move the line along.

When I checked in online for the return, there was an offer to upgrade the CUN-IAH leg for $100 - so I took that. I'd gotten rid of some weight, giving away used batteries, discarding some things, etc - but I didn't know for sure where I was on weight. When checked in, I was still over 50# in each, but for $25 less outlay I got my bags checked and a nice seat. Hehe, I was the only one in First, with a private Flight Attendant.

(2) I was trying to use Delta FF-miles on a trip for two of us to Roatan this summer, booking online last night - ran into some glitches, so postponed until I could talk with my dive bud today. "He who hesitates is (often) lost." Nothing available out of Lubbock today, no dates or flights. I can book IAH-RTB OK, but the Regional contracting airline that serves LBB-IAH for Continental is not allowed Delta FF-mile awards at all, or so it seems.

I could pay for the LBB-IAH tickets then use FF-miles for the rest, but that just sucks. I have phoned both companies to no avail. Continental claims that a limited inventory should be there, but there ain't; Delta sees the inventory available, but when they try to book - blocked, and no one can give me real answers.

I have communicated with a Continental Marketing Agent about some other matters recently so tried that route, too. Can't do anything. It seems like anymore it all goes by the computer with many of the reasons hidden and even it lies.

 

[deco_martini]

I've always had mixed results with skyteam with booking FF tickets. Sometimes you will see awards through delta.com, nwa.com, or continental.com that were only visible through that portal (meaning you could only book with that airline's miles). Customer service was never able to help much.

This may just be the first one of these awards you have run into Don.

 

[DandyDon]

I really have not redeemed FF-miles in years. I don't travel like I once did so I just let them build up, flying Continental usually but building up on Delta at twice the rate since Delta still gives me 100% bonus on miles earned. Of course, I hoped to use them well someday but have grown increasingly doubtful.

I have been checking possibilities often today, flying on Friday or Saturday, returning on Saturday or Sunday, willing to do a night in Houston if really needed, and have seen a couple of odd results when I clicked Go!

At one moment Delta was going to fly me Lubbock to Memphis, then Atlanta, then the next morning to Roatan, which was not appealing even before I noticed they wanted 30% more miles. That did not show again tho. That involved a non-stop flight on Pinnacle air, flying for Northwest out of Lubbock; I didn't know they were flying into Lubbock? I need to learn more about that. Edit: They started 2 days ago, with a Delta desk and Northwest flights to Memphis!

The fare from Lubbock to Houston if I were to pay for it and use mile for the Houston-Roatan dropped from $266 to $224 which is odd for early evening hours.​

I am hoping that this morning's email formally announcing the end dates for Continental in Sky-Team has upset both corporate machines but they will be reloading some inventories, even in & out of Lubbock. I don't remember clearly which details applied to which, but I think that Continental flights can be used to earn Delta FF-miles thru July 31, but that award tickets can be obtained thru a date sometime in October.

The agents available by phone don't really know all of the details, or aren't telling. I also hope that the Continental marketing rep approves my request for Elite Matching on Continental. Really a good airline and I'd like to build a relationship with them, just not from scratch.