Offically Delta might seek to charge you if the fare would have been more. But, with carryon baggage only, just leave the airport...I've done it a never a problem. Just don't TELL Delta.

Ditto to above. We did something much worse with no consequence. Bought a round trip tkt and never used the return portion.

The problem is the baggage, unless you would clear customs in Atlanta anyway, I would be a little worried if I was doing carry-on and--for whatever reason---they make you check it. Then there could be an issue. But if you know for sure you can do carry-on, *or* you clear customs in ATL, then (should be) no problem!

I'll have checked luggage, but I have to claim it before the flight anyways to go through customs.

I have no idea how it works in Charlotte, but in Miami when I had to claim my luggage and go thru customs and immigration, they then immediately took my luggage back and sent it on its way to Boston - so just make sure they will actually let you and your luggage leave the secure area.

If you are checking luggage, I don't think it will work. I think there is a very high degree that they will discover your plot.

Did you price your flight with Atlanta as the destination rather than Charlotte? If it's more, I belive that Delta would have the right to charge you the higher fare which they could just bill to your credit card since technically you violated your contract with them.
My brother was flying from Europe to the NYC area last year and considered a flight with a connection in Philadelphia continuing to NY. Since the flight Philadelphia to LGA seemed ridiculous to him (and the 8 seater plane seemed unappealing) he wanted to just get off in Philadelphia and make his way home. It turns out the flight through Philly was much cheaper because of a specific competitive route and it was made clear to him that he would be liable for the price difference. Would they really follow though? Who knows, but be prepared for the possibility

You can't do it if you check your luggage.

Claim your luggage and walk out..you can always throw up on somebody on the way and tell them you got sick.

Yes, you will go through US immigration and customs at Atlanta. Following customs, just walk past the baggage re-check counter and out into the world. If you don't make a habit of it, there shouldn't be any adverse consequences. There might be an issue with your frequent flyer miles for the last two segments, however. Might not, too.

This is why I fly Southwest when it is possible. Generally- they charge you for the appropriate amount of miles you fly. I live in Oklahoma between two cities. Almost all flights connect in Dallas with AA or in Denver with United. It amazes me how I have to compare the two cities. Prices vary as much as 50%. The mileage is nearly identical. This is why AA and United looses money and customers. To bad they don't fly to Rome.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but don't you ALWAYS have to collect checked luggage and go through customs at your first entry point into the US? Onward flights are domestic, so the international arrival is the only opportunity for customs to screen passengers as they enter the US.

For connecting flights to other US destinations, you have to recheck your luggage - if you opt not to take that flight, you just leave the airport with your stuff.

Having checked luggage has no effect. Just retrieve your luggage in Atlanta, go through customs and then walk out of the terminal instead of rechecking to Charlotte.

If you drop the last leg, Delta will not only have the right to adjust your fare, they will charge you a change fee for eliminating the flight. All the advice is accurate to claim your bag, clear customs and then proceed to the exit rather than re-check.

november_moon is incorrect. You always claim your luggage at the U.S. port of entry and clear customs. The exceptions are when the U.S. has an agreement that the port of departure is classified as U.S., then you clear customs at the port of departure. For example: Ottawa, Canada

Your plan may not work, since the Atlanta airport is poorly designed and has insane arrival policies for international flights. I live here and my husband and I have taken quite a few international flights, with Atlanta as a final destination. The unique aspect of Atlanta is that ALL international arrivals, even those terminating in Atlanta, are required to re-check luggage after clearing customs and immigration. You cannot just walk out of the airport. Yes, you heard me right. In order to leave the airport, you must recheck all prior checked luggage and go through security again. You then pick up your luggage at the domestic baggage claim and then can leave the airport. I assume that the security people will notice that your luggage is checked through to Charlotte and will re-route your bag to the airplane, but this may not be the case.

I think you would be fine in any airport in the country except Atlanta.

I forgot about flights from Canada and the customs immigration process being at the departure airport.

Katie - Wow, that is definitely a weird set up. You'd think that the airport would want to minimize the amount of baggage handling they have to do.

Thanks for the clarification, KatieL. Doesn't this cause a huge amount of complaining by Atlanta-bound passengers who are tired and want to get home asap?

" Doesn't this cause a huge amount of complaining by Atlanta-bound passengers who are tired and want to get home asap?"

No.

KatieL - I really appreciate when someone takes the time to explain their opinion backed up by recent first hand experience. It's much more helpful then dismissive responses spoken with shallow authority.

Why not? There are many very bad reviews of ATL by foreign travelers on SKYTRAX for just this reason.

"I think you would be fine in any airport in the country except Atlanta."

I wrongly assumed ATL was like every other airport in the US. My bad.

In Miami (arrived at 5 AM from Buenos Aires in October) it also would not have beenpossible - or certainly not easy - to just pick up luggage and leave. Immediately after customs/immigration I entered a roped-off area with an airline person checking tags on luggage in order to let you pass by. And luggage was then put in one of several huge piles of luggage with same destination.

Although one did not have to re-enter through security it would have been impossible to just take your luggage and leave. I remember this well because it made me somewhat nervous to have my luggage just dumped onto a pile of other luggage going to Boston- being picked up by luggage trucks periodically. At the time I attributed it to the never-ending construction at MIA and therefore no efficient way to send luggage onto a belt to departure gates.