Originally Posted by
SFO777
Think about it. Some people occasionally (but not too often) might do a one-way award (AUS-HEL) and then also occasionally (but not to often) purchase a round-trip ticket (HEL-AUS-HEL) because they "know they will fall in love with HEL and will want to go back". But occasionally (but not too often), those same people wake up late on the day of the return AUS-HEL flight and miss their flight.
It's worth noting that this is called throwaway ticketing, and is specifically prohibited under AA's Conditions of Carriage. In essence, somebody committing this infraction would be guilty of defrauding AA by purchasing a round-trip ticket with no intention of actually flying round trip, just because it is cheaper to buy round trip than one way.
Here is the relevant excerpt of the
Conditions of Carriage:
American specifically prohibits the practices commonly known as:
.....
Throwaway Ticketing: The usage of roundtrip excursion fare for one-way travel.....
Where a ticket is invalidated as the result of the passenger's non-compliance with any term or condition of sale, American has the right in its sole discretion to:
1. Cancel any remaining portion of the passenger's itinerary,
2. Confiscate unused flight coupons,
3. Refuse to board the passenger or check the passenger's luggage, or
4. Assess the passenger for the reasonable remaining value of the ticket, which shall be no less than the difference between the fare actually paid and the lowest fare applicable to the passenger's actual itinerary
In other words, it could be a pretty expensive mistake if AA catches you doing throwaway ticketing and decides to charge you the difference between what you paid and the cost of a one-way ticket. According to the above, AA reserves the right to do so. Would be a pretty big hit on your credit card!