chris

but check in for leg B?<BR><BR>Has anyone ever tried this? Basically making it an Open Jaw flight? I have a RT flight from LHR to DTW with a change in ORD, but I need to take an earlier flight on another airline to ORD, so is it ok to check in at ORD instead of DTW for the flight to LHR? Also would it be possible to check my bags through all the way from DTW to LHR.<BR><BR>The two airlines in question are American and United. Also in case your wondering my ticket was a deep discount so don't want to pay the penalty to change it. Thank you.

Nickel

You will lose your seat on the ORD-LHR leg if you don't appear at the point of origin listed on your ticket (DTW). You must appear at the first city listed on your ticket. You will also, probably, lose your seat reservations for the return. <BR><BR>If you have a two-leg RT ticket, you can skip part B but not part A. <BR><BR>If you have a four-part RT ticket, you can only get away with skipping leg D. If you don't appear for leg A, B, or C, you lose the reserved seat. Only exception: if the airline itself changes your arrangements.<BR><BR>Finally, I guarantee you will lose your luggage if you try this.

Vic

As far as the airlines are concerned they made a contract with you for the described round trip. If you don't take the first leg, they'll cancel the rest of your trip.<BR><BR>The reason is that fares are not based on distance but marketing. For example, the route A to C may be very competitive and thus cheap. But A to B is not. So a traveler might buy a ticket from A to C and get off at B. Well the airlines don't like that, so they'll cancel the flight back, B to A.<BR><BR>Don't do it.

Faina

Chris, once I had a RT ticket with stopovers, and as I've decided to make part of it on train I simply informed the airline what part of my trip I'm going to skip and why. I did not have a train ticket at that time. No penalty, no discount either - it was sale. Maybe you can check with the airline?

Carson

Chris:<BR><BR>My experience correlates with most other posters. They will cancel the rest of your itinerary, often with relish and glee.

Charles McCool

http://www.rulesoftheair.com explains the official airline policies, realities, and risks of procedures such as "throwaway tickets." Check it out...

David

I have done this several times without having to pay any penalty, but you have to call in advance (DO NOT WAIT until after the travel would have started) and be very clear what you want them to do. It's also worth calling back to get another agent to double-check and make sure it was done correctly. <BR><BR>It can be done, but it's also risky because the airlines' computer systems are programmed to cancel your trip. And it's impossible to un-cancel.

airlineemployee

That is not good advice David, If Chris does that he will be buying a new ticket at leg B