My husband and I had to cancel a trip last year and now each have a $926 credit that we have to use by March 2. We traveled within US several times but could not use this credit because Continental will not issue a credit voucher when the fare is lower than the amount of the original credit so we’d lose at least half our money.

The only opportunity we have is a trip to Italy (combining business and vacation). We’ll have to be in Venice July 16-17, flying out of ORD. I am looking at times and fares and it seems we’ll have to go via EWR. The round trip ticket is now at $1701! And that is for 7/12-7/19. Is there a better way of routing our trip? Does Continental have a partner that may result in a lower fare?

Dublin is $753
Madrid $1,051
Cologne $1,056
Berlin $1,066
Bristol $1,115
Gatwick $1,097
Zurich $1,151
Paris $1,164
Barcelona $1,168
Milan $1,293
Rome $1,307

These are some of the cities that CO serve non-stop from Newark that has direct train or low-cost airline service to Venice.

I don't think you can use the credit on a partner.

<b>But more importantly</b>, check to see if you just need to issue the tickets or have to complete or commence travel by March 2nd.

BTW, probably too late to matter for the OP, but I believe one <b>may</b> request two or more vouchers in smaller dominations when one first cancels the trip.

Thanks rkkwan. When we were first forced to cancel our trip (due to a death in the family) I didn't ask about smaller vouchers as it was a difficult time for us.

Later, I called and Continental rep told me they'd waive the panalty (I had to provide documentation) and I had till March 2 to &quot;purchase&quot; new tickets.

Based on several phone calls, my understanding is that I didn't have to commence travel by this date. This was a while ago when I was trying to use our credit for domestic travel. In fact another poster here suggested that I ask for separate vouchers but Continental rep said they wouldn't do it.

Thanks for your suggestions. Milan is probably the easiest but I'm wondering if we should try Madrid and add a few days to the trip. I hope it is not the route with the older airplanes that I remember you often telling posters to avoid.

esm - For July, these flights on Continental from EWR will be on a 767 or 777 widebody:

<b>Gatwick, Amsterdam, Dublin, Madrid &amp; Paris</b> - one daily 767 or 777 flight each; other on 757s

<b>Frankfurt, Brussels, Zurich, Geneva, Milan, Rome</b> - one or more daily 767 or 777 only. No 757s.

Other cities are 757 only.

You are right that once a voucher is issued, you have to use it all at once. They won't issue you another one for the remainder of the value if you try to buy a ticket that's cheaper.

That's why I said it's too late for you. That has to be done when the vouchers are initially issued.

Oh, I forgot. New 767 service to <b>Athens</b> this summer. $1,285, and it's not going to help getting to Venice.

I think you could get an enjoyable domestic flight, if that suits your plans, possibly by buying business class tickets.

I seem to recall that our flights from CLE to SAN, when we can afford business class, are in that range.

On CO's domestic flights, I suggest only paying top dollars if it's a BusinessFirst-equipped product, like on the 752, 767 and 777. Or when it's a long transcon where 5 hours in coach on a 737 can get pretty painful.

Well, we ended up buying domestic tickets and receiving vouchers for the remainder.

I looked at all the options for international travel and apart from high fares, the itineraries were not workable for us. I called Continental and was quite happy to hear we could buy domestic tickets (which we needed) and use the credit voucher for future. The best part is that the clock starts over for the voucher and we have a year to use it.

This was my first expereince with Continental and all the reps I spoke with were helpful and pleasant. I had originally been told we had to use the value of the tickets all in one time.

The only problem is we'll end up on ERJs to/from IAH and 737s to SNA.