Idnas71

Hello to all. I'm looking at airfare for a South America trip/cruise combo in November. Trying to find the best combination using Kayak.com and Sidestep.com. I've also called LAN Airlines and asked about their South American Pass, but they tell me I have to wait two weeks for November fares. I thought that was very odd.

Anyway, I found a fare of $756 on LAN Airlines (using Kayak.com) for Lima to Cuzco, Cuzco to Lima, and Lima to Santiago. Then I found a much cheaper fare of $534 for Santiago to Lima, Lima to Cuzco, Cuzco to Lima, and Lima to Santiago.

Can you buy this $534 fare and just not get on the plane for the first segment (Santiago to Lima)? I'm sure there's some reason why I can't do that, but it just doesn't seem right.

In case anyone wants to know, my entire desired schedule is to visit Machu Pichu for a few days before a 2-week cruise departing from Santiago/Valpraiso, Chile. The cruise will drop me off on the other side of the Continent at Buenos Aires. Then I plan to buy a separate ticket for BUE to Iguaza Falls, and then to Rio, which is my final stop before returning home.

I found a fare from Delta today for STL to Lima and RIO to STL for only $1,060. That seems pretty good, but I've only been searching fares the past couple days.

Anyway, thanks for any comments or advice!
Sandi

sumi

I don't know if this an airline policy issue or a security one but I've been told in at least two different situations that failing to use (or re-ticket) any segment of a ticket will void the rest of the ticket.

I would definitely ask the airline first.

Idnas71

Thanks, Sumi.

suze

If it it the last segment, yes.

Anything but the less segment, missing the flight, will cancel the remainder of the ticket.

JeanH

Yea, I just changed my husband's ticket to Belize, since he isn't using the first segment. Change cost was $100.00. If we hadn't paid, the rest of the ticket would have been void.