Unnecessary layover for cheaper airfare?
May 16, 2013, 7:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: California, USA
Posts: 140
Unnecessary layover for cheaper airfare?
Hi,
Just wanted to get folks' thoughts on unnecessary layovers for a cheaper airfare.
This is not the exact itinerary, but it will illustrate the point. Recently, I saw an airfare for ONT-LAX-JFK-LAX-ONT cheaper than the same LAX-JFK-LAX itinerary. I was curious if it's possible to purchase the ONT-LAX-JFK-LAX-ONT and not take the ONT-LAX and LAX-ONT portion of the flight? ONT is about an hour drive away from LAX.
Has anyone tried this? I can't imagine being the only one...
Just wanted to get folks' thoughts on unnecessary layovers for a cheaper airfare.
This is not the exact itinerary, but it will illustrate the point. Recently, I saw an airfare for ONT-LAX-JFK-LAX-ONT cheaper than the same LAX-JFK-LAX itinerary. I was curious if it's possible to purchase the ONT-LAX-JFK-LAX-ONT and not take the ONT-LAX and LAX-ONT portion of the flight? ONT is about an hour drive away from LAX.
Has anyone tried this? I can't imagine being the only one...
May 16, 2013, 7:40 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
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Posts: 33,533
If you miss a segment, all other segments on the rest of the itinerary will be cancelled.
Cheers.
Cheers.
May 16, 2013, 7:45 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
This type of pricing isn't uncommon - as AA knows LAX-JFK commands a higher premium than out of ONT. Just curious who flies ONT-LAX? Didn't know such a route existed. What you're trying to do is hidden-city ticketing which is expressly forbidden. What you could theoretically do is on the return just break your journey at LAX (assuming you didn't check any bags), but you'd have to fly out of ONT on the outbound - but again who flies ONT-LAX?
May 16, 2013, 8:07 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: California, USA
Posts: 140
This type of pricing isn't uncommon - as AA knows LAX-JFK commands a higher premium than out of ONT. Just curious who flies ONT-LAX? Didn't know such a route existed. What you're trying to do is hidden-city ticketing which is expressly forbidden. What you could theoretically do is on the return just break your journey at LAX (assuming you didn't check any bags), but you'd have to fly out of ONT on the outbound - but again who flies ONT-LAX?
Thank you guys for your help. This is great information.
May 16, 2013, 8:18 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Still curious though which airline/plane flies ONT-LAX? I can't find anything in flightaware that suggests scheduled service between the two. From that standpoint I don't understand your post.
May 16, 2013, 8:53 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
There are however many thousand threads about hidden city ticketing on FT. It violates the COC of every domestic carrier other than WN and, if attempted on the outbound, the entire reservation gets cancelled. Whether there is a refund or a credit and for how much depends on the fare bucket.
But, at a minimum, one is standing at LAX purchasing a TCON at walk-up prices which can easily be 7-8x the price of the advance purchase.
But, at a minimum, one is standing at LAX purchasing a TCON at walk-up prices which can easily be 7-8x the price of the advance purchase.
May 16, 2013, 8:55 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
May 16, 2013, 8:58 am
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
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Posts: 14,828
ont-lax....ua,us,dl & aa fly the route....
May 16, 2013, 10:09 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: LHR, SAN
Programs: BA GGL, AA PLT, VS-curious
Posts: 1,487
I calculate the time lost vs the money saved. More than about $200 an hour and it becomes worth it. I have one of these scenarios for a trip to the grandparents at Christmas.
I was looking for LHR-SAN via anywhere. If I sit in LAX for 4 hours, two and a half times what it would take to drive to my parent's house, I can save $1200 (3 people). Then I still have the flight to SAN, and the drive back north. About $220 an hour, so borderline, but there's still time for a better deal to turn up.
I was looking for LHR-SAN via anywhere. If I sit in LAX for 4 hours, two and a half times what it would take to drive to my parent's house, I can save $1200 (3 people). Then I still have the flight to SAN, and the drive back north. About $220 an hour, so borderline, but there's still time for a better deal to turn up.