As I posted last year on my listing of Airline Mile Alliances, Continental Airlines is leaving the SkyTeam Alliance this year. The official date of the departure will be October 24, 2009. This means that SkyTeam members can continue to earn and redeem miles on Continental through this date. Award tickets must be booked and ticketed by October 24th but can be for travel up to one year later. SkyTeam Elite Status and lounge access will also be recognized on Continental through this date.

Although Continental plans to join the Star Alliance program at the end of the year, an exact date for that has yet to be announced.