Continental, United Merge Reservations and Frequent Flyer Programs

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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On March 3, Continental and United will have one reservations system, frequent flyer program, and website. For the most part, the new system builds on the former Continental infrastructure: It uses Continental architecture, Continental passenger records, and such.

The two carriers, which merged in 2010, have been separately reassuring us that we won’t “lose” anything in the process, and—other than familiarity with the United system—we won’t. All you former United types need to do is make sure that you’ve “linked” your frequent-flyer ID with your Continental ID. If you don’t have a Continental frequent-flyer account, the United site will generate one for you.

The system will undoubtedly suffer some glitches (or at least hiccups) during the transition. I have an itinerary booked through Continental, for example, and I haven’t been able to access it for the last few days; this will doubtless correct itself within a few days. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to keep checking to see if your mileage, status, outstanding reservations, or whatever get through the transition accurately.

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