Cost of cancelling return segment
 

Searched for this, but couldn't find a situation exactly parallel:

A family member has a ticket on Continental to fly XXX-YYY-XXX, which cost $219. Now, instead of flying the return YYY-XXX, he has to travel from YYY-ZZZ-XXX, and these two legs will not be on Continental.

If he cancels the YYY-XXX segment, will CO reprice the ticket as if he just now bought a XXX-YYY one way? Or is it best not to cancel and just not show up for that segment (his silver OP number is already on the reservation)?

Thanks for any help.

Depends
 

If it is not a large amount of money, just do not show for the return and do not call and the value of the return is lost. CO will not reprice to a OW ticket, presuming you not make a habit of this.

Wait until after the X-Y segment is flown and then call and cancel the return. As stated, don't make a habit of this and you won't have any issues. Also, don't put in the OP number for the Y-Z-X flights until after you cancel the Y-X, just to be safe.