Hidden city ticket users busted! (detected at gate - no action taken)
Apr 16, 2018, 8:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, FM Prem, SPG gold
Posts: 581
Hidden city ticket users busted! (detected at gate - no action taken)
On my layover in ORD I was sitting at my gate as they closed out the MSY flight. With 20 min till departure they made calls for the final three pax. One woke up and made the walk of shame. The other two never arrived.
As the minutes ticked down to t-15 one agent looked up the two passengers and noticed they had come in from Albany hours earlier. The other agent pointed out they had an address in Chicago. Finally one agent pieced it all together and said they probably found a cheaper flight through ORD than direct to ORD and wouldn't show up. They noticed they had no bags. Busted!
The agents didn't seem mad. In fact they seemed more impressed that someone was smart enough to game the system like this. They closed the door on time and the flight departed.
As the minutes ticked down to t-15 one agent looked up the two passengers and noticed they had come in from Albany hours earlier. The other agent pointed out they had an address in Chicago. Finally one agent pieced it all together and said they probably found a cheaper flight through ORD than direct to ORD and wouldn't show up. They noticed they had no bags. Busted!
The agents didn't seem mad. In fact they seemed more impressed that someone was smart enough to game the system like this. They closed the door on time and the flight departed.
not a big deal and i'm sure gate agents are used to this
Apr 16, 2018, 8:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: In the sky.
Programs: AA- EXP 3mm, Marriott Titanium(Lifetime), *wood Plat, Hertz Pres. Circle, *bucks Gold, Joan Ranger
Posts: 781
They will be put in AA's interrogation room which consists of continual Aviator Red credit card announcements until offender breaks down and says "yes". Yes I'll sign up for your credit card & pay the fare on my new Aviator credit card!
Apr 16, 2018, 8:48 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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On my layover in ORD I was sitting at my gate as they closed out the MSY flight. With 20 min till departure they made calls for the final three pax. One woke up and made the walk of shame. The other two never arrived.
As the minutes ticked down to t-15 one agent looked up the two passengers and noticed they had come in from Albany hours earlier. The other agent pointed out they had an address in Chicago. Finally one agent pieced it all together and said they probably found a cheaper flight through ORD than direct to ORD and wouldn't show up. They noticed they had no bags. Busted!
The agents didn't seem mad. In fact they seemed more impressed that someone was smart enough to game the system like this. They closed the door on time and the flight departed.
As the minutes ticked down to t-15 one agent looked up the two passengers and noticed they had come in from Albany hours earlier. The other agent pointed out they had an address in Chicago. Finally one agent pieced it all together and said they probably found a cheaper flight through ORD than direct to ORD and wouldn't show up. They noticed they had no bags. Busted!
The agents didn't seem mad. In fact they seemed more impressed that someone was smart enough to game the system like this. They closed the door on time and the flight departed.
Apr 16, 2018, 9:21 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA PLT PRO, AGR, Strawberry (Nordic Choice), Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 4,244
And AA don’t reprice the ticket? I seem to remember (maybe wrongly) reading that other airlines did that — BA perhaps — and so people don’t tell them if they’re missing a final leg.
Apr 16, 2018, 9:56 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 11,222
but wait.. sign up now and get two cards just pay processing and handling
Apr 16, 2018, 10:50 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
"Busted" to me suggests that the passengers were actually called out or faced some sort of consequences. Instead, the agents recognized they wouldn't show up and closed the flight on time. Thread title is a bit sensational compared to the reality.
Apr 16, 2018, 10:54 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 99
Apr 16, 2018, 11:01 pm
#13
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Here's an example where a UA flyer was sent a bill for $4,776.10 for "point beyond ticketing" on 12 different occasions:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28912152-post224.html
Apr 16, 2018, 11:03 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
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Posts: 31,452
BA has repriced hidden city tickets issued by TAs in the past, not those bought directly from the airline. Search for 'Propeller Travel'