Chase Continental Airlines Presidential Plus MasterCard Review
Last updated October 30, 2013.
The Facts
The Math
No math here really.
Continental Presidential Plus vs. Amex Platinum: The major feature of both cards is the airport lounge access. They have some overlap and each has its own strength. The Platinum Card has American, Delta, US Air, Continental (ending 9/1/2011) plus Priority Pass Select, while Presidential Plus has Continental, United, US Air plus over 200 Star Alliance lounges. The Platinum Card has $75 more in annual fee; however, it also has great perks such as $200 incidental reimbursement and Fine Hotels and Resorts. Presidential Plus, on the other hand, has 2x bonus categories, Flex EQM earning opportunity up to 75K, 25% miles bonus for elite members (ending Q1 2012), primary rental car collision damage waiver, which are all very nice touches. While both have $0 foreign transaction fee, MasterCard has a much wider coverage outside USA than Amex. All these together, may justify the $125 difference.
Continental Presidential Plus vs. United MP Club: Presidential Plus is far superior than MP Club by providing better lounge access (you plus two guests vs. only you with MP Club), more EQM earning opportunity (unlimited vs. 5K with MP Club), more bonus categories (2x flights, hotels, car rentals vs. 2x only flights with MP Club), and other useful benefits.
The Conclusion
Continental Presidential Plus MasterCard is a nice match to American Express Platinum Card with different targeted groups. However, with the recent reduced benefits regarding 25% miles bonus for elites and change in Flex EQMs, you may need to re-evaluate the card.
The Facts
- Annual Fee: $375
- Signup Bonus: $95
- Rewards: 2x Continental, hotels and car rentals, and 1x everywhere else.
- Best Use of Continental OnePass miles: OnePass is the frequent flyer program of Continental Airlines, a member of Star Alliance. Continental miles are generally valuable for redeeming on Continental or partner metals. Most frequent travelers consider them more valuable than United miles since Continental, unlike United, does not practice the notorious “StarNet Blocking”. Since Continental is merging with United and their mileage programs will merge eventually, we are suspecting that after the merger the Continental miles (which will turn into United miles) will depreciate unless StarNet blocking is removed. Note that Continental is ending its partnership with Amex on September 30, 2011, so if you are using one of Amex MR cards (Green, Gold, PR Gold, or Platinum) you won’t be able to transfer your MR points into Continental miles any more after that.
- When Chase launched this card in 2010, its target is definitely the American Express Platinum Card members. No wonder this card is loaded with a long list of benefits just like the Platinum Card.
- Complimentary Presidents Club membership. You plus two guests have access to airport lounges operated by Continental, United, and US Air. In addition, you plus one guest have access to over 200 Star Alliance lounges when traveling internationally. Please see our featured review to learn more about airport lounge access.
- 1K Flex EQMs (Elite Qualifying Miles) for every $5K spent, without any earning cap. However, starting 1/1/2012, Flex EQMs will have an expiration date and can not be applied beyond the 75K EQMs threshold. This is undoubtedly a devaluation of the card.
- If you are an Continental elite, 25% miles bonus on Continental metals if you charge airfare to the card. This benefit will be discontinued in Q1 2012.
- Primary rental car collision coverage. Note while most credit cards provide rental car insurance, they are secondary, meaning your personal insurance's collision damage coverage kicks in before the credit card's. Please see our featured review on credit cards that come with primary rental card insurance for details.
- Waived foreign transaction fees.
- If you are a Continental Elite member and a card holder at the same time, you will enjoy complimentary upgrades on domestic award tickets based on availability. This benefit will be extended to United flights in Q2 2012.
- The Luxury Hotels and Resorts (LHR) Collection give you complimentary upgrades based on availability, free continental breakfasts for two, late check-out and other benefits. However, unlike Amex Platinum's Fine Hotels and Resorts program or Visa Signature Hotels program, LHR normally charges you more than the best available rates so it is not a good deal mostly.
- Complimentary BusinessFirst companion ticket with a paid full fare international BusinessFirst ticket. Just like Platinum's, this one is mostly worthless.
- Other Benefits: Check the 1st and 2nd bags free for you plus eight guests on the same reservation on Continental. Starting 1/1/2012, however, this benefit will be limited to you plus one guest. EliteAccess (priority check-in, screening, boarding, and bag handling) on Continental metals. Complimentary Hyatt Platinum Status, which means not much but at least you have free internet. Complimentary Avis First status.
- Other Facts: during 2011 Chase added several new benefits (waived foreign transaction fee, free checked bags, upgrades on domestic award tickets for elites, etc.) but also removed the 25% miles bonus for elites and devaluated the FlexEQMs benefit.
The Math
No math here really.
Continental Presidential Plus vs. Amex Platinum: The major feature of both cards is the airport lounge access. They have some overlap and each has its own strength. The Platinum Card has American, Delta, US Air, Continental (ending 9/1/2011) plus Priority Pass Select, while Presidential Plus has Continental, United, US Air plus over 200 Star Alliance lounges. The Platinum Card has $75 more in annual fee; however, it also has great perks such as $200 incidental reimbursement and Fine Hotels and Resorts. Presidential Plus, on the other hand, has 2x bonus categories, Flex EQM earning opportunity up to 75K, 25% miles bonus for elite members (ending Q1 2012), primary rental car collision damage waiver, which are all very nice touches. While both have $0 foreign transaction fee, MasterCard has a much wider coverage outside USA than Amex. All these together, may justify the $125 difference.
Continental Presidential Plus vs. United MP Club: Presidential Plus is far superior than MP Club by providing better lounge access (you plus two guests vs. only you with MP Club), more EQM earning opportunity (unlimited vs. 5K with MP Club), more bonus categories (2x flights, hotels, car rentals vs. 2x only flights with MP Club), and other useful benefits.
The Conclusion
Continental Presidential Plus MasterCard is a nice match to American Express Platinum Card with different targeted groups. However, with the recent reduced benefits regarding 25% miles bonus for elites and change in Flex EQMs, you may need to re-evaluate the card.