Thanks. Yes I exhausted all options and my 10 days to purchase were today so I ended up taking the chance. I tried so many different options and nothing was working so hopefully we make it into CDG on time!

Thanks for all your replies.

What flights are you booked into right now? What are the times?

NEWARK EWR AF19
(EWR) 7:35PM
(CDG) 8:50AM

PARIS/CDG AF2178
(CDG) 9:35AM
(NAP) 11:50AM

I see. Well, just call CO a week or two before the flight next July and see if they can switch you to CO56 6:15p-7:35a

Also, I believe by that time, the new inter-terminal train at CDG will be running, so that may help you a little.

Thanks RK. Don't know why they couldn't put me on this earlier flight to begin with. I will call them as you have suggested 2 weeks or 1 month before.

Thanks so much for all your advice.

CO doesn't release seats for standard award (50K) this early. Right now, all you can do is Sleazy Pass (100K) or partners.

Since you're going in July, you may find that CO may have availability around March or April. But if you call them to switch, they probably will charge you the $50 (if you're not elite) for redepositing miles, as you'll be basically re-issuing a new award ticket. Well, $50 may still be worth it. But you may also try pleading innocence, saying that now you realize a 45-minute CDG connection is basically impossible/inhumane/whatever. ;) They may consult a supervisor and waive that $50 fee.

Closer to departure, if they still have availability to the early CO flight, then they may be more willing to change it for free. But considering that it's July, may be not.

The only issue with staying the night in Paris is that you will have to travel in and out of the city. It's not like you will have the time to go sightseeing!

If the OP just misses his connetion in Paris, then he'll have to wait almost 24 hours to get on next day's non-stop CDG-NAP flight. That's plenty of time to go sightseeing.

Thanks RKKWAN. I will call Continental in a few months. It may be worth it for $50...of course I'll try to plead for the change without the fee.

Thanks so much for all your help.