Flexibility a hallmark of Continental's service.

When it comes to arranging travel for meeting delegates, here's a plan that flies: an airline that offers flexible ticket programs, a menu of productivity reward items in lieu of traditional free tickets, and the convenience of planning a meeting with Continental's MeetingWorks department.

"At Continental Airlines, we work very hard to customize our standard programs to meet the needs of each one of our meetings customers," says Brenda Davis, manager of group & incentive sales development. "What sets us apart from the competition is our flexibility We will consider any special request."

Flexible ticket programs

Virtually unheard of in the airline industry, Continental Airlines' flexible ticket program provides meeting planners with options to the usual ticket restrictions. For example, an association of ministers on a tight budget could not stay over a Saturday night because they had to be in church on Sunday morning. Instead of a discount, Continental issued excursion fares that waived the Saturday night stay requirement. Another example is waiving the extra baggage charge for bicycle equipment for a group flying to compete in a bicycle race.

"Associations have special needs," says Davis. "We realize there are times when our standard meeting product just won't work for a particular group, so we work with the meeting planner to customize a product that will."

Productivity rewards

Free tickets have long been an ideal incentive for travelers, but meeting planners are frequently awarded free fares and end up with more tickets than they will ever be able to use. Continental Airlines recognizes their unique situation and offers a menu of reward items from which planners can pick and choose. These include upgrades for VIPs, drink coupons, Presidents Club passes or memberships, and the award-winning OnePass Bronze Elite frequent flyer program.

MeetingWorks

Continental offers three convenient ways you can book its standard meeting product and/or zone fares for your next meeting.

The first is through its toll-free telephone line, (800) 4687022. Provide the MeetingWorks specialist with your name, address, telephone number, preferred travel agency, estimated number of attendees, meeting location, and meeting dates. Within 24 hours, you'll receive an agreement to sign and fax back to us. You will then receive your unique "Z" discount code to distribute to your meeting attendees.

Another quick and easy way to access MeetingWorks is by fax. Simply write down all pertinent information and fax it to [phone].

Finally, Continental was the first airline to introduce meeting registration via the Internet, so our Web site has been time-tested by Web-savvy planners. Log onto the MeetingWorks page at our Web site at www.flycontinental.com to make all of your meeting arrangements. The Web site is continually augmented to better serve meeting planners and attendees.

Easy and affordable fares

Meeting planners often like to take advantage of Continental's zone fares because they have a set price and no expiration date. Helpful in budgeting trips far in advance, these fares require only a one-night stay (ideal for mid-week events or meetings) and are booked in a class of service that normally has good seat availability.

Another option is the standard fare discount, which includes a 10 percent discount on unrestricted coach fares or a five percent discount on all other fares. If you purchase your tickets more than 60 days in advance, you receive an additional five percent discount. Attendees can choose whichever option is the most affordable.

Once you have registered your group with Continental's MeetingWorks, you do not have to set up additional agreements with other airlines - the same offers you receive from us apply on code-shared flights with any of our alliance partners.

Association-savvy service

At Continental, it's not enough to provide planners with convenient, easy-to-use services; quality service also means providing pleasant, knowledgeable people who can answer any question. Working exclusively with the association market, a staff of five meeting sales managers calls on associations to ensure that all programs meet their needs. Located in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Cleveland, and Houston, these managers are backed up by a team of sales and service specialists in the Houston headquarters.

Some program facts:

* A minimum of 10 attendees is required for discounts.

* A free round-trip ticket or menu of reward options is offered for every 40 people who fly

* A 10 percent discount is given on unrestricted coach fares or five percent discount on all other fares.

* An additional five percent discount is given for tickets purchased more than 60 days in advance.

* Continental meeting discounts can be applied on code-shared flights with other airline members of our strategic alliance.