• by Tanya Gazdik , November 11, 2009

Continental Airlines is offering its One Pass frequent flyer members the chance to bid their miles on a premium around-the-world trip to visit the eight wonders of the world.

The online auction, at auction.continental.com, is being promoted via emails to frequent flier program members, according to an airline spokesperson. Other marketing includes newspaper ads in the airline's three hub cities: New York, Houston and Cleveland on Nov. 22, as well as banner headlines on continental.com. Info about the promotion is also being tweeted on Twitter with a link to the auction site. Bidding closes at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 9.

The promotion comes on the heels of the airline joining the Star Alliance, a global airline alliance, and includes Air Canada, United and US Airways. And offers 19,500 daily flights to 1,071 airports in 171 countries. Houston-based Continental was a member of the SkyTeam alliance, but left over a year ago when two other major carriers in the alliance --- Delta and Northwest --- said they would merge.

"We are pleased to celebrate joining Star Alliance by bringing this unique auction package to our most loyal customers," said Mark Bergsrud, Continental's senior vice president of marketing programs and distribution, in a statement. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The winning bidder and a companion will travel from their hometown to Continental's Houston hub and continue the journey in business class on Continental and other Star Alliance member airlines to visit Rio de Janeiro (statue of Christ the Redeemer), Rome (Colosseum), Delhi (Taj Mahal), Amman (Petra), Cairo (Great Pyramid of Giza), Beijing (Great Wall of China), Mexico City (Chichen Itza) and Lima (Machu Picchu).

The package includes business class airfare for two, hotel accommodations by Starwood Hotels and private tours to each of the wonders.