United and Continental Plan Cooperation - Linking Networks and Services
I received the following email today from United about United and Continental linking their networks and services, including their frequent flyer programs. This is the first of probably a series of combinations, mergers, or cooperations that will occur in this market.
I still won’t fly either airline unless I have to because the service is so bad, especially charging for the first checked bag. Good luck, you’ll need it.
As a valued Mileage Plus member, we wanted you to be among the first to hear that Continental and United today announced plans to cooperate globally, linking our networks and services worldwide to deliver new benefits to you. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star Alliance®, the most comprehensive airline alliance in the world.
Once implemented, this new partnership, will easily enable you to take advantage of the resources of both airlines to enhance your overall travel experience, and receive more value from your Mileage Plus membership.
First and foremost, this partnership will include new frequent flier reciprocity that will enable you to earn miles when flying on either airline and redeem awards on both carriers. Travel on either carrier will count toward earning elite status. Similarly, members of either airline’s airport lounge program will have access to both Continental’s Presidents Club network and United’s Red Carpet Club® lounges.
Second, together with Continental, we will be able to offer you a more comprehensive domestic route network and together with our Star Alliance partners, greater choice of service throughout the entire world.
Starting in the U.S., you are going to see United and Continental develop extensive code-sharing that will facilitate travel whenever your itinerary involves both carriers. We will be able to provide you with a coordinated process for reservations/ticketing, check-in, flight connections and baggage transfer.
Internationally, Continental and United will establish joint ventures that will allow us to cooperate with each other and with other Star Alliance airlines throughout the world. These joint ventures will enable us to provide you with highly competitive flight schedules, fares and service to more destinations than we do today.
In short, once regulatory approval is obtained, this new partnership between United and Continental will expand your choice of flights and destinations, and improve your ability to earn both miles and elite status in Mileage Plus. Together we will offer you more value whenever you fly. We expect to bring you the benefits of our cooperation starting some time in 2009, and until then, we will keep you informed about our progress.
We appreciate you and your business, and we look forward to seeing you on your next flight.
Sincerely,
Robert Sahadevan
Vice President – Mileage Plus
Why would I want to fly American Airlines?
I have rarely flown American Airlines and I will probably never, ever fly them again.
Today American Airlines announced that they are going to be charging $15 for the first checked bag. United Airlines announced that it is “seriously studying” charging for the first bag.
That is ridiculous. I was upset when United said they were going to charge for the second checked bag, but now for the first one?
The airlines are struggling with a business plan that is getting hammered with competition and soaring fuel prices. So they are cutting services, flights, and charging more for different things.
This is only going to alienate the flying public. I think this bodes well for airlines like Frontier who still treat their passengers well.
I switched a couple years ago to flying Frontier Airlines over United for personal flights and only fly United or another carrier when work says I have to. I don’t need frills, but I want to be respected and treated fairly. I am getting that on Frontier, not on the other airlines.
Frontier is stuggling a little bit, but I think they will come out of this mess a stronger airline that will survive into the future.
I am not so sure about American, United, Continental, and others. Charging for the first bag is just plain stupid and makes bad business sense.
It is going to make boarding a flight harder, people are going to be carrying more on board, and it is just going to be a mess.
And if they are charging for the first and second bag. They better not lose it. If someone is paying for it, it better be waiting when they get to the luggage carousel. They are paying for a service, the airline better deliver!
DIA looking to ease security lines
9NEWS - Article - DIA looking to ease security lines
The problem is not the lines or the people in the lines, it is the people that are hired by the Transportation Security Administration to watch the monitors and make sure that nothing bad is getting on.
Most of them are rude and have a power complex. They have power over you. They can make your life hell.
In one experience I had going through DIA security, there was a couple from Denver who spoke very little english and they were going on a visit to their former home in Bulgaria.
To try and communicate with them, the TSA person just spoke louder. She never tried to slow down and speak calmly and try to understand where these people were coming from. It was quite rude. Read more
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