Continental Airlines pulled off a classic example of shouting the good news and whispering the bad last week.
On Monday, the airline trotted out chief executive Gordon Bethune to pitch new perks for customers - typically business travelers - who buy full-fare tickets.
Now they'll receive frequent-flier elite status for a day, a possible first-class upgrade, priority baggage handling, a separate boarding aisle at the gate and a guaranteed open middle seat beside them.
One day later, Continental took away perks with the other hand. The airline quietly informed members of its OnePass frequent flier program that starting Jan. 1, only half the miles they fly on discount tickets will count toward achieving elite status. Continental will also increase the number of miles elites need to get upgrades from coach to first class.
OnePass members vented their anger on the popular FlyerTalk frequent flier Web site (www.flyertalk.com) A common complaint was that Continental had simply mimicked Delta Air Lines, which was first to penalize elite customers for buying discount tickets.
Continental, Delta and Northwest Airlines entered into an alliance this year in which one airline's frequent fliers customers could, among other things, earn miles flying on a partner carrier.
