We aren't scheduled to go for about a week or so, but the bubble of hope has been popped. The news is worsening rather than improving with a new ash cloud imminent.

I spoke with USAirways. If a flight is cancelled today, they are re-booking about a week out - that is how bad this has disrupted the system.

We are scheduled to fly into London and then continue to Paris. The London part of the trip could be re-worked, moved, cancelled without penalty (hotels, etc.). We were then scheduled to train to Paris - which is where the non-refundable portion comes in (apartment. No, I didn't have travel insurance - honestly, the disappointment of my kids is worse than the financial penalty).

There are presently seats on the flights to Paris with days that would work. (this assumes the Paris airport would be open). However, by the time something happens to our flight (if it does), those seats would be gone. I was told that they are re-booking based on first come first serve and not class of service. They would allow us to fly into an 'alternate city' (which would include Paris).

So... I could book refundable seats. (Which are extremely expensive and we wouldn't use them.) If our original flight to London is canceled, we most likely wouldn't get out in time for the vacation assuming a week of re-booking time.

<b> However, could we cancel the fully refundable seats for the alternatve city and then grab them under the original fare ? </b> Is there a 'standby' queue for open seats that would prevent this from happening ? Is there anything in the system that would prevent us from doing it ?

I know it is a bit of working the system, but I've been on the wrong end of non-weather related problems too many times to count...

They will not let you do this. When you cancel the fully refundable seats they will go back into the system and go to the next passengers in line. They have thousands waiting for seats. The booking systems do not allow an "over-ride".

Have you checked Continental to Lisbon? From there either by plane (if Paris is open) or by train. You could also check Madrid.

thanks lynn and treplow. Since we are traveling with 3 little people, I'd rather not do planes trains and automobiles... but it HAD crossed my mind!

I'm now thinking... what if we booked non-refundable fares to Paris (hoping that might be open). If our original flight goes, then we take a credit for the n-r fare and use within the year.

USAir limits you to the same city.... are there other airlines that allow you to use it truly as a 'credit' for anywhere ?

Basically, we'd be paying a fee (n-r change fee) for a 2nd option of flights.

The only airline that I know of that allows a true credit is Southwest and that doesn't help you.