Originally Posted by jetsetter

Don't worry too much about rules and technicalities. When you get to LAX (I'm assuming that is where you want to stop) talk to a customer service agent at either the gate or RCC. Tell them you are too tired to go on, and you want to stay over night in LAX, and then go onward the next day. If you want, tell them you are feeling sick (which you might be sick for traveling so long). The last thing they want to do is put a sick pax on a long flight that might have to divert due to an emergency. I have literally had airport agents at the big six carriers tell me that when it comes to the gate agent that all these formal rules and technicalities can be overridden by airport agents. Airport agents can do almost anything with your reservation and ticket, where as reservations and Mileage Plus agents are forced to operate with in all sorts of arcain rules that were alluded to above.

Really though you could probably just honestly tell them at LAX that you are too tired and you would rather overnight in LAX, and if you get a nice agent they might let you do it even without making up some crazy story about being sick.

Of course, **DO NOT** call and ask about this, especially if it is not with in the rules. Then the ever so helpful res agents might document your record saying you made x request and were told no, and that will make your plea for help at the airport much more difficult than it has to be.

Also if you "accidentally" missed your onward flight they are going to rebook you on the next flight, they are not going to strand you in a hub. Just remember the discretion of the airport agents and you'll be all set. Its almost as if they operate under a totally different set of procedures.