With the merger of Continental and United Airlines late last year, cardholders of the Continental OnePass MasterCard and United Mileage Plus programs are now a part of the largest frequent flyer program in the world with over 90 million members. The newly merged company is working to align benefits and provide a single world-class frequent flyer program by 2012 when all accounts will be integrated. Cardholders will be able to keep their existing accounts for now, but they shoud be aware of the following updates:

Transfer Miles Between Programs

Cardholders of both credit cards can transfer miles between the two programs for redemption from either program. And, cardholders can choose to continue with both accounts without consolidating them. For example, if you want an award from United but don’t have enough Mileage Plus miles, you may move miles from your OnePass account to make up the difference, or vice versa. You can transfer your airline miles only once per day, in 1,000-mile increments with a limit of 200,000 miles per transfer. If you change your mind, you can wait 24 hours and move the frequent flyer miles back into their original account.

Elite Status Accounts

You can also combine your elite activity; if you are an elite member of one program, your status will be matched in the other. However when you register, you have to designate either your Mileage Plus or OnePass account as your primary account for upgrades for the year.

The merger opens up more award routes for cardholders to choose from, in addition to current world-class perks that include with a Continential OnePass credit card account:

  • Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles after your first purchase — more than enough for a round-trip ticket $50 statement credit after first purchase.
  • 5,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user within two months.
  • Annual fee ($85) waived for the first year.
  • 10,000 bonus miles every year you spend $25,000 on the card.
  • Free first checked bag when you fly Continental and pay for your tickets with your card.
  • Use OnePass® miles for hotel stays worldwide and car rentals in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Two miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased directly from Continental; one mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Limited Time Bonus for Continental Travel

MasterCard cardholders, whose accounts existed before June 30, 2011, are 18 years or older and reside in the U.S., can earn 250 bonus miles for each Continental Airlines ticket purchase made with a valid MasterCard credit or debit card at continental.com through June 30, 2011.

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