Missing the last flight
 

Hi, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but just to check. I am taking a tier point run to the States next week and, to keep the cost down and beef up the tier points, I am starting from Copenhagen, rather than the UK (where I live). Can I not take the last trip in the sequence, (the London to Copenhagen flight), without affecting the tier points for the other flights? It would save me a rather stupid day where I arrive on the overnight from New York, then get on a plane to Copenhagen, and then immediately turn round and get on an Easyjet flight back to Gatwick, but I don't want to jeapardise the tier points on the other flights (renewal of a silver card hangs on this trip(g).

Any input gratefully received.

I strongly recommend you do not drop the last leg. If this is done once in a blue moon and you are a regular traveller the airline may overlook this but one thing is for sure - you cannot make a regular habit of it! I would just bite the bullet and get the full job done to be safe :)

You'll have no issue doing this once or twice, although there are reports that doing this regularly can have BA audit your account.

The one issue you may have is if you have checked bags - BA may not allow your request to only check the bag through to London only. You can get around that by adding in an overnight stop between the last legs.

You can also avoid the short check issue by flying into LHR and having your next flight depart from a different London airport (if there are any such flights).

Does BA still have a problem with this if it is done 'properly'? Like if you have a connecting flight at LHR but go to the desk after landing and ask them to cancel the sector because, for example, your meeting has been cancelled? Surely they don't excpect you to board an aircraft against your will for a meeting that has been cancelled, especially if you booked the flights months in advance? Is this better than simply 'not turning up' for the last flight, or does it make no difference?

I don't think the issue is forcing travel: it's more about either repricing tickets for the actual travel undertaken, and/or auditing Avios. Only a few credible stories have come up here, I don't think it happens very often.

In a way, however, if people are asking the question, I think that forces the reply that if you are risk adverse then this is the right approach for you.

The issue is not whether you must fly the last leg, but the price for the new ticket. Nobody, not even BA, can force you to do anything, including board an aircraft you do not wish to fly.

But, if you do not wish to fly the final leg, whether it is due to a cancelled meeting or your whim, BA may reprice the ticket and that raises the price for all of the reasons that OP went through this entire hidden city exercise in the first place.

As others note, it does happen, but apparently BA tracks it. Do it 1-2 times and perhaps nothing happens.

I wouldn't do this, but you could be 'taken ill' at the gate, and then your bag wouldn't be able to fly…

Missing the last flight
 

+1 to CWS' comment.

If you are worried about it, it might not be the right approach for you.

I had only ever planned on doing it pose as needed to be in Ireland and didn't fancy doing that via AMS on the way back but as it turned out, my AMS flight was cancelled because of snow and fog (many years ago).

On all other trips, I ride it out. "Cost" of doing ex EU.

Been wondering that myself.
Fares ex DUB to LAX are 54% UK price. Was looking to do DUB-LHR-LAX-LHR-MAN- DUB and not show for DUB. Based in the NW of England.
So BA may seek recompense via further cash billing / snatching our Avios?

Landing at LHR can't I announce at the desk, that I will be changing the terms of my contract with BA in the stylee of their recent Executive Club "enhancements" announcement.:D