OK.. Last night I was flying IAD to CDG ticketed United with a seat in the back of the bus. My return (NOV 21) was a code share on Lufthansa flying out of DUS to IAD direct. So as you know you have to beg to get a seat assignment on this code share arrangement. So, while killing a few hours in IAD I had the agent try to book my return seat. So the agent ended up making an honest mistake and while she was trying to book my return seat, she deleted my reservation! The flight is already wait listed so the computer put me in the back of the list (22 peeps). No amount of phone begging with her superior or Lufthansa was able to remedy the situation. The fallback at this time is that United has booked me on a "tour de Europe" to get home.... Poor solution. Now to the agents credit I think she did everything she could at the time to correct her mistake but computers rule...etc.. so I am now stuck in Germany with no definite (viable) return. The agent said she would work on it and get back to me.....hmmm

What would you savvy FT members suggest????

Do not sit there and wait for her to "get back to you." Keep calling until you get someone on the line who is willing/able to get what you want. You may have to call back several times. Good luck.

Would you consider DUS-FRA-IAD be a "tour de Europe"? Or have the agent try to book you on one of four daily direct flights (between UA and LH) from FRA to IAD and just take a train from DUS to FRA.

It looks like, according to your profile, that you do not have any status on United. This is unfortunate as you'll have a harder time finding a competent phone CSR to help on this matter.

If you know your original record locator and have a copy of the itinerary that says your flight was confirmed, you should be able to wiggle your way onto this flight through enough phone calls. It might also help to go to the airport now and see if talking to an agent in person could help. With visiting a ticketing agent in person, you might be able to beg/plead/convince the agent to book you in one of the premium cabins either on that flight or one with the the needed stops throughout Europe. (Be sure to bring a copy of your original itinerary, the receipt, and the record locator with you...)

Good luck! And welcome to flyer talk

That looks like a tough day to travel - no doubt US expats trying to come home for the whole week of Thanksgiving. But there was some Y availability DUS-FRA-IAD as suggested, after a quick glance at seatcounter.com. Not much though... most flights appear to be sold out. I would move very fast to get something.

I agree with the earlier posting. If you get yourself to Frankfurt by train (easy to do), your options for getting home greatly increase.

OK... Finally have it all sorted.... Agent at IAD called me in France to tell me she had worked things out. Very nice of her...

And yes..The reason I joined FT is that I fly about 150K miles per year. Most of it international.. I own my own business so always buy the cheapest flights I can on whatever flight I can find usually via expedia. Year after year.. stupid.... so I am trying to get educated on how best to work miles and points and esp get into lounge areas! Thanks for all the help here and I really learn a lot reading here....

If you are flying 150,000 miles mainly internationally you need to fly as must as possible with one carrier for example in this forum UA or * Alliance members to gain the benefits as your annual mileage clearly allows u to meet the thresh hold of being in an elite FFP. First question is which destinations are u mainly flying? Asia or Europe or combination? Most members of FT that fly UA do so mainly for the benefit of reaching 1K status for the system wide upgrades (SWU) that allow you to upgrade from coach to C for the long haul flights, use priority lines at the airport, greater luggage wt allowance without charge etc. If you fly 100,000 miles per year with UA metal and/or * Alliance members you can reach 1k status. I also run my own business so traveling expenses must be watched carefully. Lots of worthwhile info so just read as many threads as u can

I don't think any one should consider it reasonable to take a train to another city just because a poorly trained agent hit the wrong button on the keyboard!

We're becoming so accustomed to bad treatment that we start to think this kind of thing is acceptable.

Baaaa