I will complete two around the world trips, three trans-Atlantic round trips, and numerous domestic flights - all on Continental or Sky Team carriers this year. In each and every flight I booked, I received 100% elite credit, and in some cases 150%.

Unfortunately I leave today on a round trip to France and Switzerland, and was rudely surprised to see I would get only 50%. The problem? I needed the assistance of a telephone Continetnal booking agent to book the connection from CDG to Basil. And, the agent did not tell me that class (L) would result in 50% mileage credit.

I made three calls to Continental, first to One Pass, then to Customer Care, and another. In all cases the agents seemed to be uncaring, and stonewalled, all saying it was not the responsibility of the agent on the telephone to tell me of the reduced elite credit. I should have booked the travel on line. And so on. One agent even hung up on me after refusing to give me her name.

Part of my confusion was that my around the world tickets were booked on the telephone via the Around The World desk. And I received 100% flight credit (hmm. that wasn't mentioned in the fine print either).

I do not understand why airline Customer "Care" agents are chosen to be brusque, rude, and not empowered to tweak the system in order to maintain good relations with solid, paying long term customers.

I would think airlines would encourage their frequent fliers to travel more, rather than upset them and be somewhat deceptive about the fine print of restrictions on elite mileage.