www.CostaRicaTicas.com

It looks like the frequent flyer programs will continue to operate independently until the end of 2010. I definitely plan on using all my miles by then.

http://www.unitedcontinentalmerger.com/frequently-asked-questions

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From my understanding, CO started dumping its shares in Copa solely because they needed the money. It didn't happen all at once, they cashed in their chips a few different times over a couple years time.

My guess is that Copa will remain partners with the new UAL.

Maybe I have been lucky but after the Delta/Northwest merger I seem to get upgraded about 75% of the time. I am only the first level silver medialian. I thought after the merger I would never get an upgrade but it's been just the opposite.

Anyone see the Continental homepage this afternoon? The 777 in the pic has all the Continental paint scheme and logo, but says "United" up front..weird..really weird...
CH

The key is "the new airline erased all traces of America West to the public".

America West was the survivor but its name was too regional for an airline with the route structure the acquisition created so the adopted the more descriptive brand name USAir. However since America West was the survivor it kept that ID within the industry.

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Alex Levine

It seems to me that the new UAL will basically just be Continental with a new name. They're keeping the Continental livery and upper management. I fly between 150k and 200k miles a year on Continental so I hope it stays close to what it is now...especially the Presidents Clubs. I hate United's Red Carpet Club.

Actually, United's homepage still has their logo/colors - it's when you go to the info page on the merger that that graphic of the plane with CO logo is seen.

For the time being, it will stay that way. The merger still has to get approved. They expect it to actually happen at the end of this year. Until then, it's business as usual.

The future merger will not make it any more difficult to get upgrades. This feat was already accomplished with the new "partnership" Continental formed with it's Star Alliance partner United Airlines late last year. Reciprocal upgrade benefits were scheduled to be implement in the middle of this year.

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Sex with Gringas in the U.S. is like modern art. Most of it is pretty bad, and the good stuff is out of your price range.

I stand corrected. On further review CRSurftown is correct about plat elites getting upgrades on south american routes (I assume he means north american routes like Costa Rica too ). It will be more difficult because right now Continental Plat elites are higher in the queue on Continental metal, with the merger the top tier of both programs will be together as one. However, depending on how many miles you actually fly, you may be in a new top tier (above Plat) with less competition similar to United's current structure.

The reported queue for mid this year was as follows:

For travel on Continental, the clearing order will be:
Continental Platinum Elite
United Global Services
United 1K
Continental Gold Elite
United Premier Executive
Continental Silver Elite
United Premier


For travel on United, the clearing order will be:
United Global Services
United 1K
United Premier Executive
Continental Platinum Elite
Continental Gold Elite
United Premier
Continental Silver Elite

_________________
Sex with Gringas in the U.S. is like modern art. Most of it is pretty bad, and the good stuff is out of your price range.