Originally Posted by jimindc

I've been looking for an award seat to Madrid in late June, preferably in business. I noticed that the Iberia website shows J availability on the IB flight from IAD-MAD, but only when combined with a connection to certain other European cities. When I search IAD-MAD directly, the flight doesn't show up (only a bunch of partner options on BA or AA). But if I search IAD-DUB, IAD-CPH, IAD-BRU, and a few others, it gives the routing through MAD.

I tried calling IB, and the agent wasn't super helpful - I asked to check IAD-MAD availability, and she only saw the same options that were showing online for me. Here's what I'm wondering: could I book the IAD-MAD-XXX routing and just plan to not take the last leg? (I know "skiplagging" is officially against the airline rules, and in case of irrops I'd risk being moved to another flight to my ticketed final destination.) But is this a risk you'd take?

Alternatively, do you think there'd be any chance of booking the ticket IAD-MAD-XXX and then calling to have the itinerary changed to just IAD-MAD? (All flights would be on IB flights, no partners.)