Now on the return flight, one of us needs to get to BTV.
The ticket from JFK to BTV is very cheap and would be ideal (on JetBlue). However when I price the following itinerary:
DTW - BCN (most likely via ATL)
DUB - JFK
It costs substantially more than booking the return leg as DUB - DTW (via JFK).
We are considering having him just not board the flight from JFK - DTW and buying a separate one-way ticket from JFK - BTV. However since he's technically checked in, I'm not sure what the policy is.
Considering that all international flights arriving in the U.S. have to check out and check back in due to immigration we figure he could just go to his other flight and not show for the JFK - DTW leg.
Can anyone clarify if this can be done or if it is ill-advised?
Are you checking baggage? I am not familiar with how JFK works in terms of baggage re-check vs terminating passengers. Some airports require you to load your terminating baggage back on the belt to claim it at the baggage carousel (ie SEA). A bag tagged to DTW but placed on the JFK belt may still end up in DTW.
Another possible concern is IROPS - if Delta has a schedule change or flight IROP their obligation is to get you to your final ticketed destination regardless of connecting airport. So if you get re-routed via ATL you plan is toast.
Edit to add: isn't DUB a pre-clearance airport? If so, this plan won't work at all if you have checked baggage because your bags will be treated as domestic connecting baggage once you arrive in JFK (ie you won't have access to them at all). Even if you don't plan to check bags but have a large backpack but board the plane in DUB late that bag may be gate checked to DTW.
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The idea that doing this often will get you somehow in trouble with Delta seems to be an urban myth, as even on FT there are no documented cases of this.
However, a real potential issue may arise if there is a flight cancellation or schedule change. If you pay for a flight DUB-DTW, Delta is in no way obliged to route you through JFK. If there is a storm in JFK, they may route you through ATL, which would cause issues with your plan.
Another issue is checked bags, as noted DUB is pre-clearance so you won't get a chance to get your bags at JFK (I think).
Realistically, if you give yourself lots of connecting time at JFK this shouldn't be an issue. But be aware of the risk.
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In the case of DUB-JFK-DTW, I believe that his bags would be boarded on the flight to DTW automatically. Although, they may offload them if he doesn't show.
Now on the return flight, one of us needs to get to BTV.
The ticket from JFK to BTV is very cheap and would be ideal (on JetBlue). However when I price the following itinerary:
DTW - BCN (most likely via ATL)
DUB - JFK
It costs substantially more than booking the return leg as DUB - DTW (via JFK).
We are considering having him just not board the flight from JFK - DTW and buying a separate one-way ticket from JFK - BTV. However since he's technically checked in, I'm not sure what the policy is.
Considering that all international flights arriving in the U.S. have to check out and check back in due to immigration we figure he could just go to his other flight and not show for the JFK - DTW leg.
Can anyone clarify if this can be done or if it is ill-advised?
Thank you!
Just a minor side note. The reason your pricing goes up when you try to price the trip terminating in JFK instead of DTW is because you have an open jaw on the other side of your trip. You can only get round trip fares with the open jaw rule if your trip is "open" on only one side. Yours would be "open" on both sides so you're seeing the fare as if it's two one way's DTW-BCN and DUB-JFK instead of a round trip fare. Not that this really changes your situation, but may help you in the future.
I've flown out of DUB after it has become pre-clearance and indeed, you are treated as a domestic flight at that point. Your bags are checked straight through and you never see them.
And as another side note, when I read leaving mid-route, I was imagining a departure from the plane that doesn't involve a gate or airport.
Just a minor side note. The reason your pricing goes up when you try to price the trip terminating in JFK instead of DTW is because you have an open jaw on the other side of your trip. You can only get round trip fares with the open jaw rule if your trip is "open" on only one side. Yours would be "open" on both sides so you're seeing the fare as if it's two one way's DTW-BCN and DUB-JFK instead of a round trip fare. Not that this really changes your situation, but may help you in the future.
You also could try pricing it with a long stopover in NY on the return. This avoids the luggage issue, along with any moral quarms one might have, plus yeilds a free NY->DTW ticket for sometime down the road if it is any use.
Another way to avoid the luggage issue would be to switch airports in NYC.
You also could try pricing it with a long stopover in NY on the return. This avoids the luggage issue, along with any moral quarms one might have, plus yeilds a free NY->DTW ticket for sometime down the road if it is any use.
Another way to avoid the luggage issue would be to switch airports in NYC.
Both are great suggestions. Even a 23 hour layover in NYC will allow him to make the case to have the luggage only checked to JFK.
In the case of DUB-JFK-DTW, I believe that his bags would be boarded on the flight to DTW automatically. Although, they may offload them if he doesn't show.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fti
Both are great suggestions. Even a 23 hour layover in NYC will allow him to make the case to have the luggage only checked to JFK.
Technically, the contract of carriage specifies that if the layover is over 12 hours, the bag will not be checked through. I'd say a 12+ hour layover (overnight) makes a pretty easy case to short check the bag even if the agent offers to check through against the COC.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CPMaverick
The idea that doing this often will get you somehow in trouble with Delta seems to be an urban myth, as even on FT there are no documented cases of this.
