Throwaway Ticketing
Jun 7, 2010 | 4:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Throwaway Ticketing
First time poster, so apologies if this is in the wrong category.
Flying DL DCA-ATL-JNB in August returning 10 days later in September. I need to change the routing to return to PEK instead of DCA. Big difference I know, but needs to be done. I bought a non-refundable fare, but it still was a lotof loot for me. After calling DL, the net net is that I could convert to a 1-way and pay an additional $600 ($250 penalty plus the difference in the fare), or I could pay out the nose to re-route to get to PEK (it was over $10k for that option).
Question to the Forum: Can I just fly DCA-ATL-JNB and not show up for the return, and just buy one way from JNB to PEK? Is there extra scrutiny if I don't show up because it's an international flight? I'm a brown man, with a brown name and I def. don't want any extra attention, or get put on any damn list. I have read about Throwaway ticketing, and I don't want to incur fines or anything like that, like lose Medallion status or lose FF miles. On the other hand I am price sensitive so I am looking for a low, to no cost solution.
Any advice? Also, any recommendations on who to fly from JNB-PEK? SkyTeam options are not good....
Flying DL DCA-ATL-JNB in August returning 10 days later in September. I need to change the routing to return to PEK instead of DCA. Big difference I know, but needs to be done. I bought a non-refundable fare, but it still was a lotof loot for me. After calling DL, the net net is that I could convert to a 1-way and pay an additional $600 ($250 penalty plus the difference in the fare), or I could pay out the nose to re-route to get to PEK (it was over $10k for that option).
Question to the Forum: Can I just fly DCA-ATL-JNB and not show up for the return, and just buy one way from JNB to PEK? Is there extra scrutiny if I don't show up because it's an international flight? I'm a brown man, with a brown name and I def. don't want any extra attention, or get put on any damn list. I have read about Throwaway ticketing, and I don't want to incur fines or anything like that, like lose Medallion status or lose FF miles. On the other hand I am price sensitive so I am looking for a low, to no cost solution.
Any advice? Also, any recommendations on who to fly from JNB-PEK? SkyTeam options are not good....
Jun 7, 2010 | 6:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.5MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, OW Emerald, HY Globalist
Posts: 5,515
If you want stay off of Skyteam, look at a connection either in LHR or DXB. For less time, I would recommend connection in DXB with Emirates. You could also do SQ via SIN, CX via HKG, or BA via LHR.
Jun 7, 2010 | 7:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: at 35,000 feet
Programs: WN A-List; Hyatt Glob: CC/HH Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,473
If it is of any use to you it might be possible to make it into an open jaw. So you'd fly DCA-ATl-JNB but change the return to DXB-xxx-DCA. But that only makes sense if you would need to come back from PEK and could buy JNB-xxx-PEK then PEK-DXB. That way you'd still be able to use the value of the return. The limitation is the distance of the open-jaw compared to the distance of the legs you'd be flying. So returning from PEK to DCA would not work.
Jun 7, 2010 | 8:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
I did Etihad JNB-AUH-BKK 2 years ago and it was great, and cheap if I remember for the one way... great seats, full lie flat, great meals... I was impressed. I'd suggest that...
Looks like MAS has a good biz fare ~$2k for the trip...
Looks like MAS has a good biz fare ~$2k for the trip...
