Continental Airlines is about to join Galileo International's Momentum program, according to sources speaking to
Business Travel News on the condition of anonymity at the Corporate Travel World conference in New York.
Momentum, launched in January by Galileo with Rosenbluth International, United Airlines and US Airways
(BTN, Feb. 10), locks in for three years a $1 per segment--about 20 percent--discount off Galileo fees charged to the carriers in exchange for full fare access. The $1 hit is shared equally between Galileo and participating agencies, which include Casto Travel and Rosenbluth, among others.
Unlike United and US Airways, Continental's books are not subject to external scrutiny because of bankruptcy. The Houston-based carrier also is not as tight with Galileo as the two other participants. Sources would not be specific, but they said Continental's deal might involve slightly different economics than does the original Momentum announcement. A similar situation occurred with American Airlines and American Express, in which the latter obtained a customized version of AA's EveryFare program.