annw

I got a ticket SFO --> LHR --> FCO --> Verona in Biz class with miles, leaving in 10 days or so.

However, the extra two legs get me in quite late, so I purchased a LHR>VCE ticket on German Wings and changed lodging to Venice.

Is there a particularly good or bad time to ditch the two short segments to FCO and Verona? I'm traveling carry-on only so baggage not an issue. I have a separate return on Turkish Airlines.

gail

You just don't show up for the flights - passively "ditching" them. (Assuming you are not requesting refund for the part of ticket not used)

annw

Thanks, Gail -- no, definitely not asking for the miles back on other portions!

gail

"asking for miles back" Are you flying on FF miles? That might be different - so if flying on miles I am not so sure about my response.

annw

Yes, the original ticket is booked completely with FF miles.

gail

I would take this to FlyerTalk. I am wondering if somehow the FF program might find some way to catch you.

doug_stallings

Actually, I'd be wary of this. Since you are violating the terms of the contract of carriage while using miles, the airline might be able to do something to penalize you. Definitely ask on FlyerTalk because I'm not quite sure what they could do in retaliation.

The best thing would be to simply change the ticket and recoup some of your miles.

annw

Thanks, Doug -- by change the ticket do you mean ask them to cancel the last 2 legs?

DebitNM

Just book the first leg. Cancel the other ticket. And yes, it could more to ticket just the first leg than all 3 legs, but you are also subject to them taking the miles from you. If it were southwest, I think it would be easier to exit at the first stop and tell them you aren't continuing.

annw

Deb, first leg already booked along with the other two segments--you mean call and cancel segments 2/3?

gail

Call them and change the ticket to SFO-LHR only. Depending on number of miles and airline, you may have to pay a change fee, even though it is miles. And in the strange world of airline pricing, even with miles, LHR-SFO may cost more miles, plus change fee, than SFO-Verona.

At the airport you may get extra security check and/or questions since you are flying on 1-way ticket. But you have already answered the question of your return - on Turkish Airlines - but they may also ask at airport.

DonTopaz

None of the info I've seen here conforms to my experience or understanding.

The airlines are completely unconcerned with your dropping segments at the end of an award ticket, though of course if you miss one segment then all subsequent flights are automatically cancelled.

The main interest an airline has in a passenger not showing up for a flight is if it's a case of hidden-city ticketing (a strategy used to get a less expensive fare) -- that's not the case here. Also, some tickets allow you to miss the flight but still use the tickets at a later time. In some/most of those cases, there is a no-show fee, but only if you want to use the ticket for the later flight.

I can think of at least 2 occasions in the last couple of years when I haven't shown up for an award flight (once on an Alitalia flight using Delta miles, once on a US Airways flight using BA miles), and I never heard a peep from either the operating or the ticketing airlines.

Also, the part about potential security issues on a 1-way ticket is years out of date. Huge numbers of people now fly on one-way tickets now that (1)many one-way tickets are no more expensive than half the price of a round-trip and (2)one-way FF tickets are commonplace. You are more likely to catch security's attention if you book the ticket just before the flight, though.

annw

Thanks, Don -- consistent with what I have been reading up on over at FlyerTalk -- which as suggested above has reams of discussion on this topic.

rkkwan

Agree with DonTopaz, and I wouldn't even give a second thought about doing it.

annw

Thanks rkk!

Seamus

also would just walk away at LHR. Only risk is if your arrival at LHR is delayed so long that you miss your Germanwings connection - and if you have not cancelled the remaining legs you should be more or less OK.

annw

Thanks, Seamus -- I thought they might be good back up in case of that. It's a two-hours and spare change at LHR before the GW flight, 4 hours before the ongoing segments on Delta partners.

Seamus

Two and change hours may be cutting it close, so definitely hang on to your current itinerary.
Delta arrives into terminal 3. Germanwings departs from Terminal 2. Flying biz you should get fast track for immigration, but will still need to get to your Germanwings flight. Presume you will do web check in (up to 72 hours before departure) for Germanwings, will still need to get between terminals, through security and to gate...
Do let us know how it works out!

annw

Will do, thanks! Yes, I definitely do web check in and if any help at all I have the preferred up front seating (forget the name, but costs extra and guaranteed spot) on the GW flight.

annw

I checked LHR Flight Connection Centre; turns out I have a bit longer, and they said:

<<Time needed for this connection: 75 minutes. You have 2hr 40min available. Our step-by-step guide shows you how to make your Flight Connection.>>

This was a neat website that gives step by step directions on how to get through the process. Will let you know!