Continental recently launched a new credit card called the OnePass Plus Card and has added new benefits for cardholders such as a $50 statement credit after your first purchase. Cardholders will receive 25,000 miles after first purchase, and an additional 5,000 miles when you add an authorized user to your account within two months of opening your account. You’ll earn 10,000 miles annually when you spend $25,000 on the card, two miles for every dollar spent when you purchase tickets from Continental Airlines with the card and one mile elsewhere except for ShopOnePass, where you’ll earn double miles for shopping on the site with the card. And exclusive to Continental credit and debit cardmembers, you can redeem miles for car and hotel awards. An important benefit, included with other Continental credit cards as well, is that the first checked bag fee is waived for cardholders. Other benefits include two Presidents Club passes every year after your card anniversary and two Travel Discount Certificates (up to $200 in savings) every year after your card anniversary. The card comes with an $85 annual fee that is waived the first year. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?2808 to learn more and apply for the card.

Bottom line: If you fly Continental at least four times a year and check luggage, you will have saved as much as the $85 yearly fee, not factoring in that the first year is free with a $50 statement credit after your first purchase. Continental has also stated that in 2011, the airline will begin offering upgrades on award tickets to elite members who are also the primary cardholder of a Continental Chase Presidential Plus or OnePass Plus MasterCard.