ok. here is my story.

I am scheduled to go to India on Dec. 6 and returning Jan. 4. From JFK-LHR was VS 46. LHR-BOM was on BD. Return was also on BD uptil LHR. Then to JFK, on VS. All this was booked on a single ticket through Orbitz.com.

Now BD cancelled their flight to BOM on Dec. 7, so VS rebooked me on VS 350. Totally fine. Now, BD cancelled my return flight, and they were willing to rebook me via DEL. To be exact, I would catch Indian Airlines flight at 7 am and then catch the 12:30 pm BA flight to LHR; however the flight gets there at 4:40 pm; however my scheduled flight from LHR-JFK is at 4:00 pm.

So I called Orbitz, gave them the flight details that BMI was willing to rebook me on and asked if Virgin could reaccomodate me on a later flight (the one that leaves at 8:00 pm for EWR). I was booked in fare code N, so Virgin said that I needed to pay the fees to be booked in the Y class. So, I told Orbitz that I was willing to put myself up for one night at LHR since farecode N was available the next day. But Virgin said that I need to pay the penalties and the fare difference, which they estimated to be around $3000.

My problem is, that if I don't get that BA flight reserved, then my return will be on Jan 11, which is a problem since my classes start on Monday.

The lady at orbitz spoke to VS' supervisor and he said that I should go to Mumbai, speak to VS ticket counter at the airport and have them change it since apparently after departure, there is no changing fees. I don't know how much of that is true, and how much of that is false; however this seems kind of crazy.

Its a schedule change and if BMI is willing to reaccommodate me, VS should as well. BMI tried changing me to the later flight; however since the ticket is issued by VS, they couldn't change it. VS told orbitz that they changed my outbound flight earlier as "goodwill" to me and they wouldn't do it again w/o charging me any fees.

What should I do now? I got orbitz to confirm my return to LHR, because I cannot wait until Jan. 11. Now I'm totally willing to put myself up for a night or two in London if its necessary. I can't be any more flexible than that. I basically have to be in the US by Sunday of that week for sure.

I totally understand that they reaccommodated me earlier, but its no excuse to not reaccommodate me again. Please advise. Should I go to India, then talk to the guys at the BOM airport? I wouldn't mind paying another $100 or so; however $3000, I can spend that much and fly First Class on another carrier.

Please advise.
Thank You