Thread: Continental to expand flight benefits to family members

Wow, and I find it difficult only being able to change companions every 6 months!

I wish I could add more family members - or even let parents travel at a cheaper price, usually a commercial ticket is cheaper for dear ol' Mum.

Sounds pretty cool, but I think this may be somewhat not so good news to the parents. Now, they gotta compete with mother in laws for instance. It's good for everyone else I suppose.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Jun 15 2009, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Sounds pretty cool, but I think this may be somewhat not so good news to the parents. Now, they gotta compete with mother in laws for instance. It&#39;s good for everyone else I suppose.[/b]

29Palms ... When CO introduced this facility, did they not assign a priority code to the new eligibles which would place them below employee/spouse?
With us, we are boarded upon seniority including retirees.
Employees with spouse/domestic partner are an 8A, so top of the pile + 1 companion still an 8A. + 2 companions 8B.
Spouse/Domestic partner on their own 8A.
Spouse/Domestic partner with 1 companion 8B.
Employee + spouse/domestic partner + parents 8A.
BP9 - Star Alliance Carrier = You, soon
Companions without employee - 8C.
BP10 - All OAL
UA recently introduced a facility where we could nominate a &#39; buddy &#39; which we can change once a year, but this facility is extended to employees without a spouse/domestic partner. They travel on their own with the same priority as the employee, 8A, but cannot go above C class. With the employee they retain the 8A and all cabins are available.
By and large, I think it&#39;s well structured ... the key is always seniority. Mail boy/girl or Manager, if the mail boy/girl has been with the company longer, they are boarded first and in their choice of cabin, if available.

29Palms ... When CO introduced this facility, did they not assign a priority code to the new eligibles which would place them below employee/spouse?

To answer that question.....I REALLY DON&#39;T KNOW YET. I don&#39;t know if these riders will be classified different than the current PASS RIDERS such as parents, wife and kids. I&#39;m not familiar with the other airlines way of doing pass classifications buddy riders or pass riders. I guess I will find out more when the time comes. I&#39;ll post here when I do find out.

Employee always travels at a higher classification than SPOUSE or PARENTS unless they travel with the employee. Employees are SA3&#39;s whereas, if my wife decided to go somewhere alone, she would go as an SA4&#39;s. Don&#39;t know if this new facility as you say will put them in the same light as wife or parents.

Well, I heard another story today regarding this new flying thing. I hear that Siblings, Mother/Father in laws, Grandparents, Half Bro or sis, will fly on a REDUCED rate versus what BUDDY PASSES pay. We had a serious increase in buddy pass fares, it like doubled about some months ago. From 50 each domestic way to 100 each domestic way....but I suppose for family members as stated above, they will get the REDUCED fare.

So I&#39;m sure they must be entered in our JA entry to show them as reduced buddy fares or something. Boy did this get all misinterpreted.....but hang on. I&#39;ll find out the total scoupe of this thing once it happens soon. Right now, you ask TOM and he gives you his input, then ask DICK and he tells something different, then ask HARRY and you get another story. All these TOM DICKS AND HARRY&#39;S don&#39;t know what happened about JACK.