Continental airlines WARNING
 

I tried to make international reservation, and it didn't work from the first try - I got to the credit card number page, but didn't get the confirmation number.

Worrying if I make another reservation my credit card will be charged twice, called the 800 number, my reservation is not found.

Got transfered to computer support, and the told me what had probably happened. I tried to pick seats for all legs of travel. They said my reservation was NOT saved and advised to buy tickets without seats, then some time later to go in and pick the seats.

So... hope it will be helpful for somebody to know about seat reservations. Strange, it didn't happen a year ago when I flew CO to Zurich, only this time, flight to Israel.

I never had any problem booking on Continental.com, but there's been some unwelcomed change on their website recently, and we're not happy about it.

They now disable the "reserve till mid-night the next day" option. Now, if you book they charge your credit card, but give you 24 hours to cancel. Like what NW and others have been doing for a while.

Prior to that, I always just hold the reservation. Get the seats, double check the date/time, and then finalize the purchase. Again, never had a problem.

I have 4 legs with seats assignment for 2 LOL

Spoke twice to their computer support people - very helpful, polite, knowledgeable, and being IT personal - very nice! polite.

I just don't have any mental strenth any more to get in to get 2 more seats assigned. I'll do it tomorrow.

I wonder which surprises I'll get trying hotel reservation!

It's not uncommon to not get seat confirmation. After a certain threshold percentage of seats are taken, they shut down online seat assignment for the flight. Just check back from time to time to see if it's reopened or not.

But I can't say why your reservation didn't go through, however.

May I ask what flights on what date? And do you have elite status with CO or any Skyteam airlines (NW, DL, etc)?

Computer support told me it happens when you try to pick a seat, it's better to pay for the flight, and come back 2-3 hours later for seating arrangements (probably after the charge goes through)

I'm flying San Francisco-Tel Aviv with a stop in Newark March 8-19. I know, there are cheaper flights, but I chose this one by schedule and stops.

No, I don't have an elite status and most likely never get one, as I don't fly often, vacations only, and don't care to stick to one airline only.

Okay, I tried those dates. For some reason, CO is not doing seat assignments for the EWR-TLV legs unless you're an elite. [I tried signed on and off.] I am not familiar with the TLV flights, so I can't say why they're doing this. Plenty of seats left.

I wouldn't worry. Maybe try back later on.

Well... Going to The Holy Land I don't mind standing :))

I too never had a problem with booking on Continental.

rkkwan, there is no "reserve till mid-night the next day" option any longer?
I loved it, I always had 24 hours to persuade my husband why we have to go to a certain place at the specific time. At least I could cancel within 24 hours. Did you try it?

Faina, have a great trip

Mama - They cancelled it on 11/16. There are a lot of very unhappy Flyertalkers on flyertalk.com about this. Rumor is that they may introduce a 3-hour hold so people can use that time to call in coupons or modify their itineraries by phone. I hope they do that soon.

Haven't tried to cancel, but yes, saw the disclaimer (?) they discontinued hold giving the 24 hr cancellation instead.

I had 2 non-related problems while making reservations. 1st I couldn't finalize because I tried to pick seats.

2nd my stupid credit card company put some additional security on the card, so CO computer support finalized the reservation for me.

Almost immediately I place a call to my CC company - you know, 800 number, press 1, press 2, if you are still here press 0 for a live person - you know the drill :) While I was on the phone telling them to take that additional security off, the CO charge came through - maybe only 1 hour later after making the reservation.

So, if your CC is up to the maximum, and you cancel your reservation within 24 hours, do you think CO would be as fast with reversing the charge? Something to think about, huh?