Originally Posted by
uclacolumbiaunc
based on the language of the fare rule, it seems like no contract of carriage would be broken if I cancel the 2nd leg after flying the first leg... maybe I interpret it incorrectly?
here is an excerpt of fare rule:
THIS FARE MUST NOT BE USED AS THE HIGH OR THE LOW FARE
WHEN CALCULATING A DIFFERENTIAL. THIS FARE MUST NOT BE
USED AS THE THROUGH FARE WHEN PRICING A FARE COMPONENT
WITH A DIFFERENTIAL.
NOTE -
THE FARE THAT APPLIES ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE
IS ONLY VALID FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY AND THE
SPECIFIC TRAVEL DATES MENTIONED ON THE TICKET.
ANY MODIFICATION MAY REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF AN
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.
FULL AND SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHT COUPONS-
THE TICKET/ OR ELECTRONIC TICKET / IS NOT VALID IF
THE FIRST COUPON HAS NOT BEEN USED AND WILL NOT
BE HONORED IF ALL THE COUPONS ARE NOT USED IN THE
SEQUENCE PROVIDED IN THE TICKET / OR ELECTRONIC
TICKET /
IN THIS CASE THE FARE MUST BE RECALCULATED BASED
ON THE FARE THAT WAS VALID ON THE DAY OF ORIGINAL
TICKET ISSUE AND IN THE ORIGINAL BOOKING CLASS.
REISSUING FEES MAY BE COLLECTED DEPENDING ON THE
CONDITIONS OF THE FARE.
PENALTIES
NOTE -
ANYTIME
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS PERMITTED.
- FOR CANCELLATIONS AFTER DEPARTURE THE REFUND
GIVEN WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE THE FARE
PAID AND THE APPLICABLE FARE FLOWN.
All this allows is
1)Refund if you simply cancel the whole trip
2)If you fly a portion (ie outbound) and then cancel the trip, you will be given a refund IF the applicable fare for one-way happens to be lower.
If the fare is higher (and one-ways with few exceptions are) then you legally will be required to pay the higher fare. Unless you send in a refund request though they're not going to catch you flew on a fare you didn't qualify for. It's also in your interest not to request the refund because DL could file criminal charges if you refuse to pay the correct one-way fare. Why? It's against federal law to fly on a plane without a VALID ticket. A ticket bought contrary to the rules of the fare is NOT a VALID ticket.
Bottom line - book the roundtrip - but don't contact them afterward for a refund. You've already gotten one over on them by purchasing a RT you never intend to use. Asking for a refund is just going to be like rubbing salt in a wound - it's gonna hurt.