Continental - 2 day hiatus between alliances

As an update to the earlier post on airlines changing alliances, Continental has now confirmed 27 October 2009 is the date they will join Star Alliance.

It is not yet clear what frequent flyer benefits, mileage earning and redemption will be possible on 25 or 26 October 2009.

If flying Continental on those 2 dates, I'd expect:

• Status benefits to apply for elite members of Continental OnePass
• Star Alliance elite benefits might apply, or might not
• No club access for Sky Team elite members
• Earning and redemptions through OnePass program
• No earning and redemptions through Sky Team frequent flyer programs, or those of any other partners which Continental drops on 24 October (eg Alaska)
• Probably no earning and redemptions through Star Alliance frequent flyer programs

For OnePass members flying Star Alliance airlines on those two dates:

• Elite benefits and lounge access are intended to apply but are at the discretion of the airline you are flying
• Continental has promised mileage will be earned but may require a manual process to credit

It is good we now have a date for Continental joining Star Alliance, and the transition period is relatively short. It is also good they are trying to apply Star Alliance benefits straight away even before the official join date.