CO to leave Skyteam 10/24/09
 

Larry Kellner announced today during the conference call that CO will leave Skyteam 10/24/09, which is exactly one year after the merger of DL and NW. No firm date when they'll officially join Star Alliance yet, but IAH-FRA starts 11/1.

So, don't book any Skyteam partners for flights after 10/24 if you want miles into CO; and don't book CO flights if you want miles in your other Skyteam account. It's not clear if 10/23 or 10/24 is the last date.

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Also, CO went through some major changes with fare class nomenclature about 2 weeks ago; and after that some passengers lose their seat assignments on their itinerary. If you have booked before 1/16 for an upcoming trip, log on to check your seats and pick them again if necessary.

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Next Saturday 2/7 will be the huge CO/Flyertalk event at IAH. I will be there, and will post a report here afterwards.

ray - thanks for update. Have been waiting for announcement. Is IAH-FRA on CO metal or code share with LH?

CO starting its own metal, a 767-200, IAH-FRA. That was actually announced some weeks ago.

Does anyone know if Continental will keep their partnership with Virgin Atlantic?

Don't know, but CO's relationship with VS has nothing to do with Skyteam. In fact, VS is closer to Star Alliance than to Skyteam, even if SQ has trying trying to sell its 49% stake.

wally - I should add that the main reason for the CO-VS codeshare was LHR. Now that CO flies to LHR itself, when the agreement ends (I don't know when), CO may decide not to codeshare with VS anymore.

And terms can also change quickly. For example, since a few weeks ago, only full-fare economy and above on EVA can earn CO miles. EVA'a premium economy used to be a good alternative for CO FF members for destinations in Asia, but not anymore unless one's flying business or full-fare.

I checked all of my family members' seats and they're all OK. Thanks for the reminder.

OK, I'm looking at a SFO to Bangkok flight with Asiana next year during Christmas. Will that work for miles with Continental? I guess Asiana is a 5 Star airline.

Christmas 2010? Sure, you can definitely claim a Star Alliance award on Asiana then.