My mother-in-law's flight from EWR to PEK for 2/3 was canceled and she was rebooked for the flight on 2/5. Wife is about to give birth and she really wants her mom to be here for it. Her return is on 2/12 but she would like to push it back to 2/15 in order to maximize her time here. She has been attempting to call CO (non-elite) to try to get the return changed to 2/15, but can't get through for obvious reasons. (should I try calling the Elite line on her behalf or is that bad form?) Looking for some suggestions on what we/she can do to help rebook/reroute her.
My wife was suggesting that she try to get the Thursday flight from EWR to SFO and then fly on UA SFO to PEK - or try to catch a flight to ORD and then the UA flight to PEK from there - in both cases I am worried about a leg being canceled/delayed and then the whole trip being screwed up.
Any suggestions or insight would be helpful.
Thanks.

1. Call the Elite line yourself for your mother-in-law. Ask them to re-route you on UA through SFO (or ORD). I would say SFO has a better chance. ORD is getting a bad storm tomorrow as well.
Another option = Leave from PHL instead of EWR. As EWR is going to see more CO cancellations.

2. See if you can find availability for one ticket using your miles. Book it (whatever route is available, especially out of west coast).
Call CO and ask them for refund for the original ticket (original flight canceled, you dont want the new itin).

Thanks for the advice.
Used the Click to Talk link http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...l/default.aspx and was connected straight away!
She is confirmed EWR to PEK on Saturday (hoping it doesn't snow again) and returning on the 16th.
That link is great!

Very good!