A number of credit card companies are either making changes to their already existing credit cards or seeking to offer new ones. Chase bank is no exception. They have just recently announced changes on two of their credit cards – the Continental airline credit cards.

Among other changes, the basic card has undergone a name change and will now be called the OnePass Plus card. This card will now entitle owners to be able to get free upgrades on free tickets, if they have both the Plus card and elite status on the airline. There will also have to be an availability of seats, as well. This won’t start, however, until 2011. This feature was previously available only to those who had purchased tickets.

The senior vice president of marketing for the airlines, Mark Bersgrud, said in the press release that they are “constantly working with Chase to make Continental Airlines credit cards more relevant and valuable for our customers.” The new features give cardmembers “more ways to earn OnePass miles and now many more ways to redeem them.”

Another benefit on the OnePlus card is that card owners who spend more than $25,000 per year on their card will receive a 10,000-mile bonus. For those who own Chase’s other card, the better PresidentialPlus, they will receive 1,000 more miles for every $5,000 spent on the card. There are no earning limits for the year, and the airmiles are cumulative from one year to the next.

Another new feature that applies to both of the Chase credit cards is that there is a new Luxury Hotel and Resorts Collection. This unique collection of some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts, more than 650 of them, enables card owners to receive special treatment. These new features include complimentary room upgrades, early and late checkout, and even a special amenity, which includes a choice of a treatment at the spa, green fees, or a welcome gift.

Other new features include more ways to be able to redeem the miles. Besides being able to use the miles toward car rentals, cardmembers can use them for special events, to purchase brand-name merchandise, and get unique experiences. These experiences include a private concert, a mystery destination weekend, an evening with a celebrity chef and New York television personality, and more.

The Presidential Plus credit card also now provides a special Blue Carpet Treatment for its members. In addition to features already available, the card will enable owners to get extra benefits at the airport, including, priority check-in and boarding, along with express security screening and priority handling of baggage. They also have the privilege of free checking of two bags when the flight is booked with the card, and a companion booked on the same reservation can also enjoy free baggage checking for two bags, as well.

This same card also now gives benefits to make a stop at an airport go by faster. Cardmembers will automatically receive a membership worth $450 in the Continental’s Presidents Clubs, in more than 100 affiliated lounges, which includes the Red Carpet Clubs(R).

Chase’s other credit card, the OnePlus, also has some more new features. Members now receive a waiver of the check-baggage fee, which could amount to $50 per round trip. They also can experience the President’s Club lounges with a two-day pass, which is given annually.

Both of the credit cards now have more protection than before, too, which are certain to make them even more attractive. They have fraud and identity theft protection, no liability for purchases made fraudulently, fraud alerts that are available 24 hours, emergency cash services, and more.