[GVS27]

Something needs to be done about Continental and their apparent mileage upgrade scam. I am a Silver Elite member and on my last three flights I applied for an upgrade using my miles. Even though I booked flights months in advance, the miles were immediately deducted, with no guarantee of an upgrade. On all three flights I did NOT receive complete upgrades (one-way, sometimes both ways), yet the miles were not re-deposited in my account as promised. After each trip, I had to call Continental One Pass Service desk and try to get this straightened out. After the most recent trip I called on 12/1/11, spent about 40 minutes on hold and was finally told the unused miles would be redeposited. Today is 12/15/11, still no miles, I've been on the phone for 40 minutes so far. Apparently, Continental hopes people will either forget about the miles or not want to spend the time on hold to get them back. This is their scam and it's just not right.

Anyone else have this problem?

[jimworcs]

Every frequent flyer programme is a scam designed to encourage people to choose an airline for reasons other than price and service. It is designed to distort the market. The whole enterprise is a scam.

[GVS27]

Unfortunately, I agree with you in today's environment. Up to a few years ago the program was great. I managed three round trips to Hawaii, First Class for 4 people each time between 2003 & 2009, as well as a First Class roundtrip to Italy in 2008 (2 people). All tix were secured completely with miles. Now you are lucky if you can get a round trip from the east coast to Cleveland in coach using miles.

maybe someday the airlines will wake up and realize they are a service business.............nah, probably not.

Good holidays