[shah121]

I am shocked that my confimed flights were tampered with by Continental employees. I was to fly out on CO29 from LHR to EWR at 10:30am on Nov 14th. I arrived at the checkin gate, flight was on time etc. Continetal admitted that someone in Continental changed my ticket from the 10:30am flight to the next 12:35pm flight. No reason was given, I complained that I was not informed in any way i.e.: email, phone call etc., and did not authorize it, they simply said sorry, someone at continental did change my itinerary a day before my flight and to call customer service. As a result, my wife who was travelling with me left on the 10:30am flight I had to take the 12:35pm flight which caused immense inconvienence.

Continental customer service could not offer an explanation and offered two thousand miles since Im a silver member. I am appalled that a now on Continental even a confimed flight that has not been cancelled does not guarantee a flight and changes to passenger flight can occur without informing the passenger for no reason.

[The_Judge]

You will never know the results or even if they do it but I would ask them to investigate this. When a res is changed, i.e., segment changed, cxld or added, information is stamped in the res to show who, where and what time this was done. Can be easily traced.

[PHXFlyer]

Did you check-in online? During online check in on Continental if there is available space on an earlier or later flight it will give you those options. Could something have gone wrong? If you did check in online do you remember seeing this?

Another question if I may. Was your wife's reservation under the same original confirmation as yours?

It could also be that the earlier flight was overbooked and there were some shenanigans going on behind the scenes to move you and possibly others to the later flight. Were there any others on the earlier flight that suddenly found themselves on the later one? This should be reported to Continental and as The_Judge said there is an electronic "paper trail" that can be followed to determine exactly when it was changed and by whom.

[Silent Bob]

I'm sure there has to be a reason. This could be a case of two different reservations, and two different bookings; one on the earlier, one on the later. The one on the later tries to get on the earlier, finds out there's a fee, doesn't wanna pay etc.

If you arrived on-time for the 10:30 flight, thinking you were on it, you could have asked if it was full, if it was an overbooked flight and they moved you, without your say so, then you should get more than just miles since this would be an involuntary change because you didn't agree to the change. if it was a schedule change they should have been able to tell you that. but of course you could have confirmed that before the trip started.

But if you ask me, I think it was a case of mistaken reservation 9what I mentioned in the first paragraph). Continental is usually pretty upfront about such things.

Also did you book through a travel agent or through the Continental website?

[Jetliner]

Keep in mind too we are talking about LHR. These would have been contract employees, NOT Continental. As such they may not be able to tell who made the change (they would see the employee number in the history of the reservation of who made the change, but no way to look that person up to see a name or where they are located).

I would call Continental reservations in the US and start from there as far as demanding answers.

[shah121]

Thanks for the replies. I have asked Continental to start an investgation. Their customer service said that they are swamped and it can take 10 days before someone can answer me, as to why my itinrary was changed. The customer service rep said that this occurs often and can be esclated upto customer service manager. Frankly Im mad at Continental to bump me off the flight, without asking me or compensating me. Thanks for the sugestions. Lets see what continental investigates.

[jimworcs]

Under no circumstances should you accept the 2,000 miles offered. You were involuntarily denied boarding on a flight which actually operated, and on which you had a confirmed reservation. This is covered by EU regulation 261/2004 which details your rights in this situation. It is irrelevant what the reason they did it was. They breached the rules by not seeking volunteers in the first instance. If it was done "in error", you are due compensation anyway.

You are entitled to €600, for a flight not within EU of greater than 3500 km in distance as compensation for your inconvenience. This is without prejudice to any other claim you may make.

I would not wait for the outcome of the "investigation". I would call Continental and tell them that you are pursing your rights under the EU regulation and that you believe you are entitled to compensation of €600 under EU law. Unless they make payment to you within 30 days you will file a claim in Small Claims Court. You can file your claim electronically and will not have to appear in court. The cost of filing your claim is very small, in your case a maximum of 10% of your claim, up to £120. You will get this back when you are successful.

You can file your claim at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk Write to Continental to confirm you are claiming your rights under EU 261/2004 immediately after talking to them on the phone and confirming your demand for compensation within 30 days. Send this letter by recorded delivery, which will cost you about £1. This requires them to sign for the letter and will act as proof in court that you exercised your rights under the regulation.

Good luck.