What do you think of Continental's new alliance?

Well, most of the Onepass loyalists are based in Houston, Cleveland and the NYC area anyways, so they definitely won't switch. As for the others, it's too soon to tell. I guess it also depends on what type of awards are you trying to redeem.

But already there are announced improvements to the Onepass program. The much hated 50% EQM rule for cheap fares not bought on co.com has been rescinded. And Gold leve (2nd tier) elites can use the lounges on international trips. Both starting 10/27.

Depending upon how things shake out with their partner earnings, I will actually use CO more than I did before. I need a *A program to park miles in, and CO makes more sense for me than most of the alternatives.

I doubt CO will become my primary airline, simply because their long-haul coach product (and that of their new BFF, Lufthansa) is not as good as Delta, Northwest, Air France, and BA. But I get around enough that I should be able to keep Silver or Gold status on CO.

As to what this means for CO, in general? I think it is pretty neutral. I think that this increases the options for partner travel to much of Asia, but I think that United and US are a step down from Northwest and Delta for domestic travel. To Europe, I think it is largely a wash. Australia options are improved over SkyTeam. I think that they probably take a step down when it comes to Africa coverage. All in all, it will really come down to where you fly as to how much you like it.

For award availability, I think that the biggest change will be be that you can now book First Class awards. Availability will probably be the same mixed bag as before, but with improvements to certain areas (Asia, in particular).

I think most of us will wait awhile and see what transpires. I was concerned a few weeks ago when I looked into booking a trip to Fairbanks next February, and the Continental web site said they do not serve that location. I then rationalized that as my selected date was after the exchange, they had probably excised Alaskan Air from their data base, but had not yet included the partners that will, technically, not be partners until the change is finalized. In my case, Continental serves our most frequent routes well, even without partners. I just wish they could find a way to rely less heavily on Newark, perhaps the most ineptly organized airport I have seen.

clevelandbrown: It is confirmed that the partnership with Alaska is ending. I think it ends this Friday with the exit from SkyTeam. Alaska and Delta are new BFF.

Thank you all for your opinions. I have points with both CO and AA and I'm walking the fence at the moment, but leaning slightly toward AA.

rkkwan just curious, now that you don't live in Houston anymore, are you still loyal to CO or will you be making a switch?

I am Plat at AA but I do have several thousands (~70,000, no status) with UA. I have a couple of international trips next year with CO which I booked before the October 27 merger with Star Alliance. First time traveling with CO....I was wondering if the mileage I accrued here can be transferred to UA??

Thanks.

Pamela - I will have flown lots of airlines this year - CO, AA, DL, B6, VX, NH, HA & YV, if not more. But I should qualify for elite on AA for 2010. I have no loyalty to any particular airline, even though I do like CO.