Originally Posted by travelmom4

I booked four flights back in October when BA was having the flash sale/AARP promo on business class flights from the US to Europe. Four people RT from ORD-FCO for $780 and 30,000 Avios each. It was too good to pass up. As summer approaches and schedules shift, one member of our party has learned of another commitment so she will need to return to the US 10 days before our scheduled return flight. I have booked an AA flight (economy) home for her using miles. Because the original BA flight was so cheap, I am willing to just loose the return portion (when I asked BA the rep said that both the departure and the return would have to be cancelled and re-booked to make any changes).

My concern is how I handle the return portion of the ticket that we won't use. I don't want to do anything before we depart that might jeopardize the first leg of her flight. If it were a domestic flight, I could just call after we arrive and make an excuse so that the airline could sell that seat but I don't want to spend hours in Rome trying to reach an English speaking BA rep on the phone.

Any advice?