We have elite member seats on CO to CDG. It was a 4 way conference call and they would not relent on the business class. I lose one way on the train tickets, though in retrospect, i never wanted to take the train, so it is just one less leg.

Thanks again!

What was the explanation for CO not being able to keep you on your original flight dates? I ask because the current edition of their timetable shows three flights EWR/BRU on December 25, and one wonders why they can't find two seats on one of those flights.

I think you are being wildly optimistic to think that they will give you cash for lost deposits and an upgrade. They hate to give out cash, and they would rather let a front cabin seat go vacant than give it away. I think their only obligation under the contract of carriage is to say they are sorry and offer to return your money and miles. They might, as a good will gesture, give a voucher or some miles (they love to give those, as it keeps us using that airline; if they gave cash, we could easily switch to another airline).

My inclination would be to demand an explanation of why they won't honor their original commitment, given that they have three flights. If that fails, explain how loyal a customer you have been, and suggest that you want to continue to patronize them, but if they can't fix this problem you will have to take your business to another carrier.

However, my evaluation after reading this thread is that you don't appear to concentrate yourself on just what you want. I think it would be difficult for the phone agent to concentrate on the problem unless it is substantially clarified; telling the agent about your train reservations, how many countries you have visited, your plans between arrival and departure, would just distract the agent from the business at hand, so I would suggest you narrow your focus to getting to BRU on such and such a day, and not even distract him with the alternative of flying to CDG on an another day. You might also look into an alternate airline on which you could both use your miles; suggesting such a flight may help the agent find it, although I would not offer this alternative until you have exhausted the possibilities of getting back on your original flight.

Incidentally, looking on the CO website to see how many seats have been sold is unlikely to get you accurate information, and I think they even say that on their website. I noticed at one time that when I change the seats of me and my wife, the seats we have vacated show as being taken until the next day, so at the time we change, there are actually two seats available that don't appear on their website as being available.

I haven't found a lot of upgrade availability on Continental until just before the flight dates, when it seems that almost every flight has some, so I think its a bit early to conclude that there will be no availability for your dates.

Good luck in getting this resolved.

CO is not operating CO60 EWR-BRU on 12/24 and 12/25, based on current schedule.

Glad to hear you got it resolved!

Clevelandbrown: they suggested the CDG flight as it left on the 25th and got us on it--I only told them that we had train tix and non-refundable hotel to get them to put me on something. Not more info than necessary, it is hard enough to resolve a complicated itinerary!

I hoped for an upgrade (as I think we all do) and was super nice--as were the agents I spoke to--shock, Though it took an hour and a 4 way conference call between delta, continental, my husband and me to get it resolved, I am pleased with the results and with the advice given here.

In the end the CDG flight is for the best as it involves less fooling around as we were flying into Brussels, then leaving the next day to Paris on the train--now we are just doing a one-way train to Brussels for that portion of the trip, i.e. we have an open jaw rather than backtracking.

More good news--the hotel booking agent waived the "non-refundable" deposit as we are staying at the same hotel in Brussels when we go back and even though they are separate reservations, they are treating it as one.

Now--will my Thalys train discount RT tix be unusable as I won't be using the first leg? guess that might be a question for the europe board.

Sorry for the long-winded post!