So, I log into my CO account this morning, and it says that my flight has had a "schedule change" and is now departing ~2 hours earlier than the flight that I chose. The flight is for a family vacation, and since we're on a tight schedule on the last day, this is going to basically eliminate the possibility of doing any sight-seeing on the last day.

We really DO NOT want to change our flight, that's why we chose the flight we did. Hours of planning went into setting this all up. Since there are 12 of us going as 2 separate, large groups, I'm assuming that it's going to be impossible to put us all on one flight from a different carrier, nevermind all sitting together like we were on the original flight (again, a lot of planning went into that as well). Is there ANYTHING at all that I can do, or is it just one of those times where we're SOL and just accept that we lost the day? Everyone needs to be back the night of the original flight so they can go to work the following day, so re-scheduling the flight for the next day won't work

Since this was a system schedule change, I'm not sure there is anything else that CO can do for you! It sounds like there are no other flight options on CO for that day that work for you & your group.

I believe they will not put you on another carrier, as you have the option to cancel your tickets without penalty due to this schedule change. Then, it would be up to you to decide whether you want to book on another carrier.

Specifics about the flight routes in question might get some alternate routing options for you.

Yes, it would be interesting to see if other flight options are now offered since the OP did all his research & selected this flt, as it had the most optimal fit for his/her groups' itinerary, when it was originally booked!

The flight in question was SJU-EWR. My group is flying into BQN and renting a house in Rincon for the week for a surfing/leisure vacation. The plan was to drive up in the morning to San Juan and spend a few hours checking out Old San Juan before flying back. Now, , we've either got to get up really early (not going to happen with some of the ladies in the group) or drive up to San Juan the evening before and get a hotel in San Juan. That's what we're leaning toward at the moment. It's not the end of the world, but it will end up costing probably $40 per person more for the trip.

I managed to get everyone seated with their significant others or family members, so that turned out to be not an issue. Disaster averted.

Glad to hear!^ I can appreciate the 'shock' at see the schedule change resulting in a 2 hr earlier departure, though!

Can you book a later flight on UA (3:02 pm, connecting in ORD) - maybe CO will agree to rebook you on that one without a change fee or change in fare?

It does get you in much later into EWR (midnight), and is an 8-hour total travel time vs the direct one, but you do get a little more time in Old San Juan.

It's VERY difficult to get a large group of people to agree on major changes to a vacation itinerary. I honestly was dreading telling everyone what's going on with this.. Somehow, everyone was fine with the change, though..

I doubt this would be amenable to the 'need to be at work' the next day contingent of his group!

all's well that's ends well!