Hi everyone:

I'm taking a flight from SAN-PHL-DCA and returning DCA-PHL-SAN on US. What I really want to do is just SAN-PHL (and jump out on the DCA leg, outbound and inbound), and thus, back only on PHL-SAN.

I don't think this is an issue on my outbound - I think I can just skip out on the last leg. But what about coming back to SAN.. can I start at PHL even if I didn't do my first leg? i'll be checking in online so I'll have my boarding passes.

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone:

I'm taking a flight from SAN-PHL-DCA and returning DCA-PHL-SAN on US. What I really want to do is just SAN-PHL (and jump out on the DCA leg, outbound and inbound), and thus, back only on PHL-SAN.

I don't think this is an issue on my outbound - I think I can just skip out on the last leg. But what about coming back to SAN.. can I start at PHL even if I didn't do my first leg? i'll be checking in online so I'll have my boarding passes.

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

No. My understanding is that if you miss the first leg without making other arrangements, they will cancel the entire reservation, so you will get to the PHL airport and not have a reservation back to SAN.

first issue is whether this itinerary is 2 one way tickets (2 PNRs) or 1 round trip (1 PNR). airlines routinely cancel any PNR as soon as passenger fails to board any leg. if 1 PNR, you have no choice but to take the 2hr train/car ride between DCA and PHL. in any case, what you are discussing is "hidden city" travel.

Hi everyone:

I'm taking a flight from SAN-PHL-DCA and returning DCA-PHL-SAN on US. What I really want to do is just SAN-PHL (and jump out on the DCA leg, outbound and inbound), and thus, back only on PHL-SAN.

I don't think this is an issue on my outbound - I think I can just skip out on the last leg. But what about coming back to SAN.. can I start at PHL even if I didn't do my first leg? i'll be checking in online so I'll have my boarding passes.

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.


You should have booked an open jaw, and that may have helped. Many times the price difference is not too different. Did you try that first?

Hi everyone:

I'm taking a flight from SAN-PHL-DCA and returning DCA-PHL-SAN on US. What I really want to do is just SAN-PHL (and jump out on the DCA leg, outbound and inbound), and thus, back only on PHL-SAN.

I don't think this is an issue on my outbound - I think I can just skip out on the last leg. But what about coming back to SAN.. can I start at PHL even if I didn't do my first leg? i'll be checking in online so I'll have my boarding passes.

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

If this is all on one reservation than you absolutely cannot miss any segments or the remainder of the reservation will be cancelled.

What do you guys think?

I think you will show up iin PHL and have to buy a full-fare, one-way ticket to SAN if you want to get back.

Your complete ticket will be cancelled if you just don't show up to DCA.

You should have booked an open jaw, and that may have helped. Many times the price difference is not too different. Did you try that first?
Yeah, open jawing it makes the ticket as expensive as just booking SAN-PHL and return. Oh well, I guess I'll just book 2 x 1 ways to DCA - and just skip out on the outbound PHL-DCA. Coming back I guess I have no choice but to fly DCA-PHL - what a bummer.

Huh?

Please explain.

In PHL you may want to contact the ticket office and tell them that something came up (meeting, not feeling well) and that you won't be flying PHL-DCA. Of course, you must not have any luggages. I think if you go and ask they will cancel the PHL-DCA. However, you will have to come back from DCA.

In PHL you may want to contact the ticket office and tell them that something came up (meeting, not feeling well) and that you won't be flying PHL-DCA. Of course, you must not have any luggages. I think if you go and ask they will cancel the PHL-DCA. However, you will have to come back from DCA.
Even if I book two 1-way reservations? One reservation for SAN-PHL-DCA, and a totally separate one way for DCA-PHL-SAN.

outbound 1 way: SAN-PHL-DCA (Thinking of skipping out on PHL-DCA)
inbound 1 way: DCA-PHL-SAN (can't skip any - must get on at DCA)

Does this sound right?

Even if I book two 1-way reservations? One reservation for SAN-PHL-DCA, and a totally separate one way for DCA-PHL-SAN.

outbound 1 way: SAN-PHL-DCA (Thinking of skipping out on PHL-DCA)
inbound 1 way: DCA-PHL-SAN (can't skip any - must get on at DCA)

Does this sound right?

If you have 2 one way than you can sure skip the PHL-DCA without asking anybody. I would advice telling them however so they don't wait for you.

You cannot skip the first part of itinerary however; in my experience that was just possible on AC because of a glitch. When I was living in YVR I could buy a ticket from SEA-YVR-anywhere (much cheaper than from YVR) and check-in at Mr. Chicken in YVR where it would offer me to cancel the first segment :D

Even if I book two 1-way reservations? One reservation for SAN-PHL-DCA, and a totally separate one way for DCA-PHL-SAN.

outbound 1 way: SAN-PHL-DCA (Thinking of skipping out on PHL-DCA)
inbound 1 way: DCA-PHL-SAN (can't skip any - must get on at DCA)

Does this sound right?

Ah, now I see. You can't check luggage on your outbound though - it will end up at DCA.

Sounds good. Thanks to everyone for your input - you all are a great bunch! Long live FT and those on it!

Yeah, open jawing it makes the ticket as expensive as just booking SAN-PHL and return. Oh well, I guess I'll just book 2 x 1 ways to DCA - and just skip out on the outbound PHL-DCA. Coming back I guess I have no choice but to fly DCA-PHL - what a bummer.

Flying BWI-SAN is also cheap and more convenient if you are going to be in Philadelphia.

Suppose the op booked this for the roundtrip. Concensus says that the computer would cancel out the no show segments. Also the ticket would go in to a "nogo" status.

Even with this scenario though, it is largely up to the airport how they want to handle it. As with anything they have a good deal of discretion. Do they:
*make the op buy a full fare;
*Charge the op $100 change fee;
or
*Allow the op to fly as they want and "fix" the ticket.

Also fyi it is my understanding that in order to get an electronic flight coupon out of "nogo" status, the airport must call the inventory management department. I don't believe that with an airport Sabre sine they have the authority to pull a ticket out of nogo status?

Even if I book two 1-way reservations? One reservation for SAN-PHL-DCA, and a totally separate one way for DCA-PHL-SAN.

outbound 1 way: SAN-PHL-DCA (Thinking of skipping out on PHL-DCA)
inbound 1 way: DCA-PHL-SAN (can't skip any - must get on at DCA)

Does this sound right?As a practical matter you might be able to get away with this once or twice. But don't make a habit of it, particularly if you've entered your Dividend Miles account number into the PNR (passenger name record) each time.

As explained upthread, this is a violation of the applicable fare tariffs and is known as "hidden city" ticketing. You are taking advantage of the fact that, due to increased competition, fares to DCA or BWI are much lower than to PHL. US doesn't like that.

One day you might check your mileage balance online to find it locked out or all the miles confiscated, and receive a "demand letter" from the US legal department requiring prompt payment for the difference between the SAN-PHL trips actually used and SAN-DCA fares paid for. Do you have a good lawyer? Are you willing to take the risk of suddenly having to pay the difference when they figure it out? If not, save this technique for emergencies or rare occasions.

If the monetary savings are that significant and important to you, you might want to consider travelling only on your first initial eastbound and foregoing the Dividend Miles when you do this. Don't use the same credit card, phone number, e-mail address, or mailing address, either. ;)

Rather than start a new thread; I'll insert my question(s) here.

My father is flying from MSP-PHL-GSO, this is the inbound portion of an Award roundtrip. A circumstance has recently arisen where he needs to get off in PHL and drive to NJ. Alright, simple solution, carryon your luggage and get off in PHL, but don't make a habit of it.

Issues:

***His bag may not make it past security as carry-on size; it doesn't even need to fit in the overhead as his MSP-PHL is a CRJ and he can check it planeside. I'm trying to remember the bag he is using, but it is a rolling duffel, perhaps only slightly larger than a standard roll-aboard. Does MSP security have the plastic "fit tool" on their x-ray machines?

***If he has to check his bag at check-in, will his bag be pulled off of his PHL-GSO flight when he doesn't board, or will it continue to GSO?



Thanks for any sound insight

Have your father attempt to get his bag thru security @ MSP. If that works and he can get it past the agent and stowed onboard (board as early as possible) he's home free. Even if there's no space on board, the F/A will probably just ask for his destination when checking the bag - say PHL and that's where the bag will be checked to.

If he can't get it past security or the agent, he'll have to check it and it'll almost certainly end up in GSO. However, he could take a chance and mention his "change of plans" to the GA in PHL and they just might have his bag pulled off and sent to baggage claim.

Jim