Continental ceases local flights

[winterman]

I have a ressie for free flight on Continental from BGR in october. In 2 weeks they will cease operations at BGR. I called Continental but was not able to get any info with the exception that Continental would contact me. Has this happened to others and how long did it take to get a resolution or any communication from the airline?

 

[bicker]

Customers who have purchased Continental Airlines tickets from BIA for flights after June 21 will be contacted and offered alternative flight arrangements or refunds, according to the Continental spokeswoman.

“But people don’t have to wait,” [Mary Clark, a spokeswoman for Continental at its headquarters in Houston] said. “They can contact us or go online.”

I'd take Clark at her word, specifically, don't wait for them to contact you. Sit on the telephone, going up the ladder, supervisor to manager to director, etc., until you secure reaccommodation or your refund.

I would also take this opportunity to read the Contract of Carriage very carefully. If my memory serves me, you really don't have much recourse other than what they offer you, except to demand a refund, but there might be something in there that I missed. If I have a chance, I'll try to read through the Contract of Carriage myself and see if I see something useful.

 

[Lewisc]

Bicker is right, call. I'd first check Continentals schedule and see what airport/flights work for you. Also see what it would cost to book with another carrier.

See what you're offered. Continetal might put you on another airline. You need to know if there is an alternate Continental flight to request or if a refund will give you enough money to book with another carrier. I might even have the other carriers reservation on my screen and not let them process the refund until I actually made the reservation with a new carrier.

 

[winterman]

Thank you Bicker and Lewisc. This is my FREE frequent flyer flight to Las Vegas 10-21 to 10-27. I called Continental and they rebooked me for the flights that I wanted from PWM (Portland). If I wanted to wait until august, they would work with me to re-book from BGR (Bangor) or re-deposit my miles.

The kicker is that on Oct. 25th, Continental leaves Skyteam and joins Star Alliance. I will reserve my gambling for Las Vegas.

 

[bicker]

My initial read of the Continental Airlines CoC indicated to me that there seems far fewer exculpatory clauses in their contact as opposed to other airlines. However, as a non-rev, you aren't afforded the same privs as a revenue passenger. You would have needed to review both the CoC and the rules for the FF program. I'm sorry I didn't foresee that wrinkle when I posted earlier.

I'm glad to hear you were able to work out a mutually acceptable alternative.

 

[Bea]

I just called Continental (we leave in August) and they said they would contact us in a few weeks and would put us on another carrier on the same dates, as close to the same times as possible. If I didn't want to wait, they would refund our money right away and I could rebook with someone else. We are going to wait and see what flights they are able to get us. Hopefully they will call in the next few weeks.

 

[encinc]

Call again. They might be able to get you a flight out of Halifax. A poster on the Canadian board in the same situation got their flight switched to Moncton. What a bonus that would be - avoid the drive AND get flying out of the US prices!

 

[Bea]

I called again, and even talked to a supervisor. They said the only thing they are offering is a refund. Yesterday when speaking to a rep. they said someone would call us and give us the option of flying out of Bangor with another carrier, or Continental out of another airport. I hadn't even thought of flying out of Halifax until I read the post of the other poster. Anyways, will continue to try, or at the very least wait for someone to contact us.

 

[winterman]

Bea

Call again at a different time of the day so you will probably get a different agent on the line. The first time I called, the agent sounded like she was reading a prepared script and my only option was to wait for them to contact me. The second time I called, the agent went out of her way to assist me and after a couple of offers and wait until august when we will to contact you, I suggested what would satisfy me and they agreed to it. I was impressed because I was a non-revenue passenger with a free ticket.

Good luck.