[heidec]

on march 25th, during a lisbon to san diego connection in newark, flite was delayed coming in. plane was smaller and i was bumped to coach. i was told that i had not paid for first that i was one of 2 to be bumped. when i explained that i had paid the fare thru a tour company they said take it up with the tour company. (i did and they told me it was a continental problem) i was given two alternatives, wait until the next day!(not an option for me) or fly coach. even after explaining that i had a medical condition that required me to elevate one leg, therefor i pay for first!! and book a bulkhead seat, i was still relegated to coach, not given an exit or bulkead seat although i emphatically asked for one. gate agent suggested i would be fine with a vacant seat next to me. unfortunately at 6' tall and 65 years old, i was not able to contort myself to accomodate my medical problem.
consequently i was barely able to walk off the plane and am still feeling the pain from this ordeal. i was given a $200 continental coupon, which by no means pays for any first/business class travel that i use.
i understand the fact that there were fewer seats available was not the agents fault, but i do feel that the least that continental can do is give me a first class ticket between my home in costa rica and california.

[Silent Bob]

You know that sucks the most when your all prepped and ready to sit in that comfy first class seat only to be told that because of a smaller plane you gotta sit in the back? Happened to me only once... ONCE. But it happened because I was on a milage ticket, and I was told that when the plane is changed from a large to small, the mileage guys are the first to go. Mileage and those who were flying on bulk fare tickets, but I was offered a more lucrative compensation by the concierge. I am surprised they didn't offer you more than that. Were you at least refunded the difference in fare from changing to a first to coach seat? Because you're right that voucher is a poor exchange for such a seat.

[heidec]

thanks for the info, silent bob. and no, i was not offered anything else and told to take my complaint to the tour operator. it was 'take the voucher or wait until tomorrow"! probably nothing i can do at this point but i will certainly fight and argue for better compensation and better treatment.
i do try to avoid flying continental and will do so in the future. heidec