Flight cancelled we were never contacted
 

We flew to Oaxaca Mexico on May 4th 2009-Continental cancelled our return flight on the 19th the same day. THEY NEVER TOLD US that our new flight was to leave May 17th. They had our email address. On the 17th I got all sorts of strange emails from Alaska Airlines (we had used miles thru Alaska to fly on Continental) That is how I found out about our cancelled flight . It was too late for us to make the flght out of Oaxaca
It took me many hours on hold over two days 5/17 and 5/18 to get new flight reservations. We still do not have seat assignments and the ticket agents with Continental are RUDE AND NOT HELPFUL.

If you used Alaska miles for this trip it was up to Alaska to both contact you AND re-book you on different flights.

Alaska was never contacted
 

problem is Alaska was never contacted-so how couild they contact us?

Alaska would have been contacted electronically as soon as the flight was canceled. If they did not contact you immediately perhaps it was because this itinerary was for several months out. How far out are the travel dates?

canceled flight
 

We flew to Oaxaca May 4th-to return May 19th. Evidently Continental canceled our return flight on May 4th; changing the return date to the
17th. Neither Alaska nor Continental contacted us. The only reason we found out was because Alaska posted gate information for the May 17th flights AFTER the departure time for the first leg on May 17th. I have a hunch both Continental and Alaska are at fault. We have flown Alaska for years and they have always notified us of changes no matter how miniscule.
What is most disconcerting to me now is I cannot book my seat assignments online and when I cal Continental they refuse telling me I have to wait until we get to the airport. I have a hunch they are overbooked.
Once we get home I will spend some time in person with both airlines to get some sort of compensation. Do you ave any suggestions?

Deal With Alaska First
 

Since you "purchased" your ticket with Alaska miles and Alaska issued the tickets it was ultimately up to them as the "agent" to notify you of any schedule changes or cancellations and to rebook you. Contact Alaska Airlines Customer Care @1-800-654-5669. Since this was a mileage award you might get some of your miles back but I wouldn't expect any monetary compensation.

Something many people don't realize is that when you book with any agency (brick and mortar travel agent, online such as Orbitz, or in this case another airline) the airline you are flying on generally does not get your contact info. When the airline agents look at your reservation it will usually show the travel agency's contact info, not yours.