Now that Continental Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, OnePass Elite members have access to more lounges, perks in more cities, and perhaps most importantly, a new connection with United Airlines.

By the middle of 2010, the two major carriers hope to implement “reciprocal Elite access to upgrades and priority seating on both airlines…” This means that “OnePass Elite members will have access to unlimited domestic upgrades as well as priority seating in United’s Economy Plus cabin on purchased tickets when space is available.” Visit Continental Airlines for more details.

The response to United’s new “free unlimited domestic upgrades” hasn’t been entirely positive. There are those that say it will actually make it more difficult (or almost impossible in some cases) to actually get an upgrade. However, as a new perk, does it make things more appealing for Continental Airlines OnePass Elite members? Let us know where you stand.

On the surface, United Airlines’ “free, unlimited upgrades” program sounds like a great change, especially for the business traveler. However, as Mark Ashley over at Upgrade: Travel Better is quick to point out, the changes to the upgrade program might actually be a “downgrade” when all is said and done:

“What United is doing is eliminating the 500-mile electronic certificates and the regional-upgrades. (International systemwide upgrade certificates for 1K travelers are unchanged. Upgrades booked with miles, which will soon carry a cash copayment, are otherwise unaffected by these changes.) Instead, all travelers with any elite status will be automatically eligible for an upgrade.”

Mark goes on to break down United Airlines’ new upgrade plan to show how Premier members will be affected. Take a look at “United downgrades its upgrades” for an in depth look at the changes to the program, and what those changes mean for frequent flyers.

You only have a few days left to take advantage of United Airlines’ business class deals between San Francisco and Mexico City.

If you purchase your airline ticket Sept. 14, you can find business class airfare for as low as $440+ each-way. A 21-day advance purchase is required and travel must be completed by Oct. 24, 2009. Visit United Airlines for more details, and if these business class deals don’t do it for you, use our Deal Finder-Mexico tool for cheap economy flights to Mexico City, Cancun, Mazatlan, and more.

United Airlines launched deals on business class flights from San Francisco to Mexico City for travel through October 24, 2009. You can enjoy all of the luxury of business class for as low as $440+ each-way.

Purchase your airline ticket by September 2, 2009 (21-day advance purchase required). Visit United Airlines for more details and stipulations, and search FareCompare for economy and first class deals from San Francisco to Mexico City.

How much are you willing to pay for a bit of extra legroom? United Airlines is hoping you will answer at least $5 to that question.

The carrier is offering deals on economy-plus seats (5 in. of extra legroom) for a limited time. On some routes, you can pay as little as $5 each-way extra for more room. Some flights will run you as much as $87 each-way.

United says this is a one-time option, so you might not have a chance to stretch your legs for this little again. Visit United Airlines for more details.

Want to head to the Great White North in style? United Airlines has first class airfare deals to a range of Canadian destinations including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and more from departure cities throughout the U.S.

United’s first class airfares to Canada start as low as $347+ each-way, and are good for travel through December 16, 2009. Visit United Airlines for more details, and search FareCompare for the best deals on first class flights to Canada from your hometown.

United Airlines is offering the “big seat” and “big luxury” for less. Their first class airfare sale is good for a number of city-pairs including Denver to Los Angeles, Miami to Washington, Phoenix to San Francisco, Chicago to Denver, and many more.

Purchase your first class airline ticket by June 26 for travel through October 4, 2009. A 21-day advance purchase is required. Visit United Airlines for more details. Search FareCompare for more first class airfare deals.

Been wanting to leave the Mainland behind for a Hawaii vacation? Now is the time to make your plans. United Airlines has a first class airfare sale to multiple Hawaii destinations from Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver and other departure cities.

Fly in the luxury of first class with airfare for as low as $522+ each-way if you purchase your airline ticket by June 12. These first class deals are good for travel through October 8, 2009. Visit United Airlines for more details.

United Airlines has launched first class airfare deals to destinations across Canada including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Find airfare as low as $249+ each-way on select routes for travel between July 1 - August 31, 2009.

These first class deals are good from Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington and a range of other U.S. departure cities. A 30-day advance purchase is required, and airfares are based on availability. Visit United Airlines for more details.

United Airlines is still running first class specials on flights to destinations across Europe. Enjoy all of the luxury you’ve come to expect from international first class on flights to London, Paris, Rome, and a range of other cities on the Continent. First class airfare starts as low as $3,320+ each-way.

A 14-day advance purchase is required for most flights. However, first class deals to London require a 42-day advance purchase. Visit United Airlines for more details.

Traveling to the other side of the world can really take its toll on you. Of course if you can stretch out, occupy yourself with hours of entertainment, and enjoy some fine cuisine in the process, things aren’t so bad.

United Airlines’ Australia business class airfare sale gives you the chance to enjoy a bit of luxury while taking the longhaul flight to Sydney or Melbourne. You’ll find business class deals from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and more. Airfare starts as low as $2,239+ each-way (LA and San Francisco routes).

Visit United Airlines for more details on the business class sale, and check out our Travel Deals blog for more on United Airlines’ Australia economy airfare sale.

Yesterday, we highlighted United Airlines’ domestic first class airfare sale. Today, it’s all about their international business class airfare sale.

You’ll find deals in business class to “Latin and Pacific destinations” including Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Sydney, and more from multiple U.S. departure cities. Business class airfare on some routes starts as low as $326+ each-way.

A 50-day advance purchase and a 7-night minimum stay are required on these deals. Restrictions vary depending on destination, so visit United Airlines for more details.

United Airlines is inviting travelers to “experience the luxury of first class” with their latest offer. Enjoy priority check-in, more room, personal entertainment, meal service (on select flights), and other amenities.

The latest first class deals from United Airlines are good for travel through July 15, 2009 to a range of U.S. destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver. First Class airfare on some routes starts as low as $189+ each-way. Visit United Airlines for more details, and purchase your airline ticket by April 13 to save.

You can bet that United Airlines will not go quietly into the night, even in Richard Branson suggests that they should do so.

As Virgin Blue offshoot, V Australia, moves in on United’s territory, Branson made claims that United Airlines might have to pull out of Australia altogether. Of course, United sees things differently:

“‘We know how to hold our own and we’re certainly going to fight for our position in the Australian market,’ (United vice-president Pacific Mark Schwab) said.” (from The Australian)

V Australia has already launched deals and cheap flights between Los Angeles and Sydney, but United is gearing up for the fight. The carrier has shifted towards business class sleepers on a number of Australia flights, and has begun to provide perks that long-haul travelers are accustomed to on other airlines. Of course, all of the Virgin brand carriers pride themselves on the travel experience, so it will be interesting to see if passengers are the real winners in all of this. Expect to find good deals and maybe some extra amenities coming your way.

Learn more about recent airfare deals from V Australia.

You still have a few days left to save on business class flights to Europe for travel through April 17, 2009.

Fly to destinations across the Continent including Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Athens, Rome, and more. Better yet, fly to those destinations in the luxury of United Airlines business class. You’ll enjoy fine food and drinks, personal entertainment, room to stretch out, and a range of other amenities.

Business class airfare can be found for as low as $1,240+ each-way from departure cities throughout the U.S. Purchase your airline ticket by February 20 (Saturday night minimum stay is required). Visit United Airlines business class sale for more details.

Check out “Aer Lingus Spring and Summer Europe Airfare Sale” for economy airfare deals to Europe.

This April, you can fly in the luxury of United Airlines business class to destinations throughout Asia for as low as $1,310+ each-way. Deals are available from departure cities across the U.S. to Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Beijing, Sydney, and more.

Purchase your airline ticket by April 16, 2009 for travel between April 6 and April 16. No advance purchase is necessary. Visit United Airlines for more details and a complete list of business class sale airfares.

Yesterday, we highlighted deals on business class flights to Europe from Continental Airlines, Swiss, and SAS. Well, United Airlines is also a part of the action.

The United Airlines’ Europe Business Class Airfare Sale features flights as low as $1,240+ each-way to Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan, Paris, Athens, and many more destinations throughout Europe. These deals are available from departure cities across the U.S.

Purchase your airline ticket by January 30 for travel between February 4, 2009 and April 17, 2009. A 14-day advance purchase and a Saturday night minimum stay are required. Visit United Airlines for more details, and check out our FareCompare Maps to find the lowest filed airfares to Europe from your hometown.

V Australia just launched Premium Economy deals from the U.S., but the new kids aren’t the only kids in town. United Airlines has business class specials to Sydney and Melbourne. You just have to be an early planner to cash in on these deals.

With a 90-day advance purchase, you’ll find business class airfare as low as $2,239+ each-way from departure cities across the U.S. including Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and more. Purchase your airline ticket by February 17, 2009 for Monday - Thursday travel.

Visit United Airlines for more details, search FareCompare.com to find the lowest filed airfares to Australia from your hometown.

The holidays are here, but if you haven’t planned a getaway yet, you still have time. In fact, you can head to the other side of the world, and you can get there in comfort and style.

United Airlines’ Asia holiday business class airfare sale offers deals to Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and more from departure cities throughout the U.S. Deals are good for travel between Dec. 23, 2008 and January 2, 2009. No advance purchase is necessary.

This is a business class airfare sale, so it’s not for everyone. The cheapest flights are running over $1800+ one-way. The price of a business class airline ticket on United Airlines gets you personalized entertainment, Charlie Trotter-designed menu options, an amenity kit, premium wines and liquors, and much more.

Visit United Airlines Holiday for more details, and search FareCompare for the lowest filed airfares to Asia from your hometown.

Fly with United Airlines, and you won’t have to pay top dollar for extra legroom. At least you won’t if you purchase your airline ticket by December 18, 2008.

Time is running out, but if you act fast, you can save up to 30% on economy plus seats from United. This “one-time option” allows you to upgrade to more legroom for as low as $9 each-way on select flights.

Keep reading for sample economy plus deals…

Business class and first class specials from United Airlines are still out there, but time is running out. A 10-day advance purchase is required for travel by January 2, 2009, so you have to book soon.

You’ll find business class and first class airfare deals to/from a range of U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

Keep reading for sample airfares…

United Airlines is rewarding those who like to plan ahead. With a 50-day advance purchase, you can find deals on business class flights to Sydney and Melbourne from cities across the U.S. United’s business class specials to Australia are good for travel on Mondays through Thursdays.

Now, these deals aren’t for everybody. Even with the advance purchase, you’re still looking at airfare between $4,000+ and $6,000+ each-way. On a flight to the other side of the world, business class perks and comfort are well worth the cost to some. Those travelers can visit United Airlines Business Class Special for more details.

Don’t look now, but 2008 is quickly coming to an end, and with the new year, we can expect to see more changes to major frequent flier programs. In fact, United Airlines has already released a laundry list of changes that will affect its Mileage Plus program in 2009, and at least some of the changes should make members happy (well, “Elite” members anyway).

United Airlines will reinstate the 500-mile minimum accrual for elite members. Not only will elite members receive at least 500 miles on 2009 flights regardless of distance, they’ll also have miles “applied retroactively to flights between July 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. For elite members who flew United flights of less than 500 miles during that timeframe, all affected mileage balances and bonuses and earned upgrades will be adjusted by the end of the year to ensure that your elite status is correct for 2009.”

Along with reintroducing the 500-mile minimum, United Airlines will reduce certain mileage requirements on international business and first upgrades. In addition to miles, though, a co-pay will be required to obtain the upgrade. The carrier will also expand its international upgrade program in July of 2009. This will “ensure that all Mileage Plus members have a chance to experience the new international first and business class.”

Awards levels will also be shifting with the new year. To get a look at these changes and to get more details on United Airlines’ Mileage Plus Program, visit United Airlines Annual Changes — and stay tuned for details on more changes to frequent flier programs as 2009 approaches.

United Airlines is introducing daily nonstop flights from Washington Dulles to Dubai, with an “extra” to get you motivated.

How about 10,000 additional bonus miles? That’s what you’ll get if you fly first class. And business class travelers get an extra 7,500 miles.

See all the details here.

And just in case you were wondering, the distance between Washington, D.C. and Dubai is 7,048 miles.

The Awards Accelerator from United Airlines is designed to make it easier for you to double (or triple) your frequent flyer miles, to “grow your Mileage Plus account faster,” and attain rewards in a shorter period of time.

While purchasing frequent flyer miles isn’t a new concept, the awards accelerator allows you to simply increase the number of miles you’ll receive on a flight if you’re willing to pay a little extra (double mile purchases start as low as $9.00).

For instance, let’s say you’re taking the relative short hop from Chicago to Cleveland. United will list your “miles flown” at 316. However, with Awards Accelerator, you can pay an extra $9.00 to double those miles or an extra $19.00 to triple those miles.

The cost of double and triple miles varies depending on the route and flight distance, so you can end up paying hundreds of dollars more for the additional boost to your Mileage Plus account.

Visit United Airlines Enhancements for more details.