Originally Posted by Mr. Roboto
Yes, but for the most part these things are
uncontrollable. However, when the booking was made on
continental.com you
controlled the dates of travel and also received an e-mail confirmation as stated by
empedocles. You would have also received an e-ticket receipt by e-mail confirming your payment and flight schedule.
Probably at this stage, you might just want to consider re-booking NYC-BJX-NYC and omit the AUS stop, this will probably lower your new fare considerably, there also some 3 day advance purchase fares between these 2 cities. If some of your AUS friends are also attending the wedding, then this would help ease the frustration of not visiting them in AUS.
¡Mucha suerte!
I missed my flight - for whatever reason - continentals reaction would have been the same. I've been flying for a long time and have missed flights before for various reasons (though this was a first for goofing on the date). American, United both just put you on the next flight assuming there is availability. They don't even charge a fee. I understand times are different and continentals trying to make some money, but if this had happened to you would you have reasonably been ok w/ continental asking you for $3k?