vstrip

Is it possible for me (the mom) to buy a round trip ticket and use the first half, and have my college age son use the second half? A round trip is so much cheaper than two, one way tickets, but I wasn't sure if it was even possible - especially after 9-11.

mrwunrfl

Possible, I suppose, if both you and your son have the same names.

BeachBoi

How would you get thru security?Are your picture ID's the same? Doubt it and I wouldn't try it.Where would the travel be from/to?There may be some low fare carriers which do offer one way fares at a good discount.

abram

Since the name on the ticket has to match the name on the picture ID, it wouldn't work.

Keith

It might work if your son and you have the smae last name and first inital. Book the flights with just the first initial in stead of name?

Keith

BeachBoi

Nearly every airline requires full first name or 2 initials.

BjorkChop

Using just the first initial with the last name will not work either since you must show photo ID.

sandi

No initials and no nicknames (given first name only). Name on tickets have to match name on photo ID. Don't try it!

vstrip

Okay, so my original idea won't work - what about buying the round trip ticket, then telling the airlines i can't make the return trip, but cashing in or upgrading to change the name to my son's and put my son in my original seat

Incognito

Mom, just buy a darn ticket. Do not try your insane ideas.

BjorkChop

If you purchase a coach ticket, it is non-refundable/non-transferable. You can't upgrade a ticket to use if it isn't in your name. If you wanted to "cash" in a ticket, you would have had to purchased a refundable full fare and/or first class ticket, say in your name, cancel it, and then purchase a new coach ticket.

sandi

Hey, if you can't afford the ticket, go by train or bus, unless, of course, you're flying aross the ocean. In that case, swim!

sjbisanz1

As BeachBoi mentioned, there are many cities now that offer airlines with one-way pricing. The fastest way to get that question answered is to call a TA, if you have one. They can quickly tell you if one-way fares are offered to your destination. And if one or both of the cities does not offer that, there might be alternate airports near to either one that does. Worst case, you have no alternate airports and no one way fares, book the least expensive roundtrip for each of you, and toss the return. If calling the airline, obviously don't tell them that, but I have had an occasional airline agent suggest it to me (Shock!). If you tell them you are flexible with your dates for the lowest fare, they will tell you if travel must take place on a certain day or at a certain time.

Good luck!