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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Description of New Accounting Pronouncement Changes in Revenue

The application of ASU 2009-13 in 2011 to passenger ticket transactions and the Chase co-branded credit card relationship (including the special revenue item) resulted in the following estimated increases to revenue in the year of adoption (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2011		  
    

UAL

     

United

     

Continental

  

Operating revenue (including special revenue item)

     $ 600         $ 395         $ 205    

Per basic share

      1.82          NM          NM    

Per diluted share

      1.57          NM          NM    
Schedule of Information Related to Amounts Recorded Related to Frequent Flyer Programs

The following table provides additional information related to the frequent flyer program at the UAL consolidated level (in millions):

 

Year Ended

December 31,

    Cash Proceeds
from Miles Sold		      Other Revenue
Recognized Upon
Award of Miles
to Third-Party
Customers (a)		      Increase in Frequent
Flyer Deferred
Revenue for Miles
Awarded (b)		      Net Increase  in
Advanced
Purchase of
Miles (c)		  

2012

     $ 2,852          $ 816          $ 2,036          $ —     

2011

      3,121           566           2,357           198     

2010

      2,156           331           1,739           86     

 

           
(a) This amount represents other revenue recognized during the period from the sale of miles to third parties, representing the marketing services component of the sale.    
(b) This amount represents the increase to frequent flyer deferred revenue during the period.   
(c) This amount represents the net increase in the advance purchase of miles obligation due to cash payments for the sale of miles in excess of miles awarded to customers.    
Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment

The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:

 

     Estimated Useful Life (in years)    

Aircraft and related rotable parts

      27 to 30    

Buildings

      25 to 45    

Other property and equipment

      4 to 15    

Computer software

      5    

Building improvements

      1 to 40    
Advertising Expenses

Advertising expenses for the three years ended December 31 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

     UAL      United      Continental
Successor		          Continental
Predecessor		  

2012

     $ 154         $ 83         $ 71                 

2011

      142          73          69                 

2010

      90          67          23            $ 74