Credit Card Details

An airline credit card used to be primarily for frequent flyers, but the perks of using this as your main card are adding up. The latest feature is getting your first checked bag for free and this is just not for card holders. Up to eight people will get their first checked bag for free as long as the tickets are charged to the Continental OnePass Plus Card and traveling with the primary card member on the same reservation. Those savings alone can easily make up for the $85 annual fee and you even get the first year free.

You also get to enjoy other travel benefits such as relaxing in their Presidents Club as 2 annual passes are included for card members. You are protected against delayed and lost baggage and car rental collision damage waiver is also a part of the benefits.

To be eligible for miles you must have a valid OnePass membership number that is required information on the credit card application, which can be obtained on the Continental website. There is a sign up bonus of 50,000 miles that is rewards after your first purchase, which is enough for some domestic flight depending on route and travel date, while others may require 50,000 miles. You will receive the usual 1 mile per dollar spent on regular purchases and 2 miles on Continental purchases with an additional 10,000 bonus miles if you spend more than $25,000 in a year.

Continental is now a member of the Star Alliance which means you have the choice of using your miles at either of the 27 other members. These airlines include US Airways, United and a variety of airlines around the world. You can also redeem your miles for car rentals and hotels, but usually you get the most out of your miles if they are redeemed for a flight. The miles do not expire, so even if you are not planning a trip at the moment you will have the miles for later.

To avoid a processing fee you need to book your award ticket at least 21 days in advance. This is not unique to Continental as other airlines have the same type of fee.