Schedule changes that cause illegal connections *and* other date changes
 

My friend has a non-refundable international ticket (SFO-EWR-TLV-EWR-SFO).

As a result of CO's schedule change, her connection in EWR on the way home is now illegal.

Because of this, we need to call and rebook her on a later connecting flight. The flight change means that she'll get home almost two hours later than she would have otherwise. I know that CO is required to complete this change without any fee.

However, this might work in her favor, as she also wants to change the return date of her ticket.

So, I have two questions:

• Since they're already changing the flight anyway (and inconveniencing her slightly), will they waive the penalty for a date change?
• I know that, under some circumstances, CO is obligated to refund the entire ticket if they can't rebook you in a manner that's acceptable to you. Would they be willing to refund the ticket? (If so, she can just start over, as the fare hasn't changed.)

Thanks for any advice.

They won't see it the way you're describing in Bullet 1.

If the fare hasn't changed, I would use Bullet 2. Have her make a big deal about the two hours and how she needs to be back in SFO at a specific time, then when they can't do anything else, ask for the money back and start over.

http://www.continental.com/travel/po...ct/default.asp

Good luck!

why not call and ask?

i would say yes to both questions. also, if you get an unhelpful agent, always be polite, say you will think about your options and will call back. then, just immediately call back. if you are rude, they might document your record. then, you're sunk.

if you try three times, i would bet that one of the agents would say yes to both "preguntas."

I concur -- but prior to calling and complaining/canceling as per bullet #2 I'd have the new reservation on a 24-hour hold. That will allow you to ensure that you can still get the same fare for the revised routing.