Why is it "unacceptable" to charge you walk-up prices for next-day travel? Because the airline should have broken its rules for you alone? Because your own booking error, and failure to look back over your own work between booking and check-in, is somehow the airline's problem? Because you're an extra special customer? Sheez.

I am NOT an apologist for Continental but this is your problem. If you really fly so much, you know to recheck booked itineraries frequently to see if anything's changed.

You remind me of the (true) story of the woman touring the Everglades who roamed off the trail and into shallow water, where she was attacked by an alligator. The ranger who rescued her told her she was lucky to be alive and asked her if she hadn't seen the big sign: "WARNING: STAY ON TRAIL: ALLIGATORS IN WATER." The woman said, "Oh, yes. But I didn't think that meant ME."

Nobody's THAT special. Learn the rules.