The rules are laid out in EU Directive, 261/2004. For a delay of 4.5 hours you are entitled to reasonable food and drinks, and the right to a refund on your flight if you decide not to travel. If it is overnight you are entitled to accommodation, and transport to and from the hotel. You are also entitled to make up to two international phone calls at the airlines expense. You are certainly not entitled to free tickets for a delay of 4.5 hours.
In fact, being denied boarding or a cancellation of your flight provides you with considerably more rights than those afforded by an extended delay. You would be far better off if it was cancelled. You should pursue compensation from the airline you purchased your ticket from. If this was Lufthansa and they codeshare with Continental, your claim should be processed by Lufthansa. If you hold a Continental ticket, your claim should be processed by them. Travelling on a US based airline does not affect your rights.. the law applies to all airlines flying into and out of the EU. Anything they offer you which is above that which is laid out above is entirely at the discretion of the airline. I promise you this.. you will not get free tickets for that kind of delay.
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