Ditching second and third legs on a one-way ticket
#1
Original Poster
Ditching second and third legs on a one-way ticket
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.
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.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
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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.
The best thing would be to simply change the ticket and recoup some of your miles.
#9
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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.
#11
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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.
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.
#12
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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.
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.
#16
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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.
#17
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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.
#18
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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!
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!
#19
Original Poster
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.
#20
Original Poster
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!
<<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!