Continental Airlines today
announced it has implemented new payment options for tickets purchased
through the carrier’s acclaimed Web site, continental.com. Customers
purchasing tickets on continental.com are now able to pay for tickets
using a personal checking account, a pay later option, or cash. “Continental.com is the first travel Web site to offer the payment options
of cash, check or deferred payment in addition to credit and debit cards,
making the purchase of tickets online easier than ever before,” said a
Continental Airlines spokesperson.

Customers purchasing tickets at continental.com using the cash, check or
pay later options before Dec. 31, 2004 will receive an electronic
certificate valid for a five percent discount on a future Continental
Airlines ticket.

Customers in the United States paying with a personal check over the
Internet can use First Data Corporation’s TeleCheck Internet Check
Acceptance(R) (ICA(R)) service. By selecting “Pay By Online Check,” the
customer provides information to authorize a debit from their checking
account. The ICA(R) service is fast, convenient and utilizes the same
system that is used for automatic payroll deposits. Once a transaction is
approved, a reservation confirmation e-mail is sent to the customer.

Customers in the U.S. using the Bill Me Later(R) service can make
purchases without the use of a credit card and have the option to buy
tickets immediately, but pay later. After selecting “Bill Me Later” when
making a continental.com purchase, a reservation confirmation is sent via
e-mail upon approval of a short application. A Bill Me Later(R) invoice is
then sent to the customer in the mail.

Customers booking their flights at continental.com or with a Continental
agent may take their reservation confirmation to any Western Union(R)
Agent location and submit cash payment for tickets within 24 hours. This
service is available at more than 45,000 Western Union(R) locations
throughout the U.S. and Canada, 2,280 locations in the United Kingdom, and
many other locations throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and the
Caribbean.
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