What happens if you "miss" a connection in NRT?
Dec 22, 2013, 3:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
What happens if you "miss" a connection in NRT?
I know this is out there... I'm flying LAX-SHA in March and have stops in NRT and PEK. I'm kinda desperate to have a long layover in NRT so I can check out town - I've never been. I only have a 2 hour layover. Say, I miss the connection, and the next flight is 28 hours later. I dunno, maybe I had too much fun in the SC or I got lost in the airport. What's the penalty? I did search for a stopover fare, but they are too expensive for this leisure traveler. I would gladly pay a change fee for a longer layover, like 23 hours, but the only layover available is 2 hours or 26 hours, which is considered a stopover.
Last edited by richardinmotion; Dec 22, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Dec 22, 2013, 6:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
Sounds like a science experiment for someone with a lot of disposable cash.
It's one thing to miss a connection because of WX, Mechanical or Security (there would be no customs/immigration intl to intl connection). It's another to miss a flight for fun.
The only advice I have is expect no accommodations/mercy from the airline if you had checked luggage (as they would have to search the cargo hold for your bags).
It's one thing to miss a connection because of WX, Mechanical or Security (there would be no customs/immigration intl to intl connection). It's another to miss a flight for fun.
The only advice I have is expect no accommodations/mercy from the airline if you had checked luggage (as they would have to search the cargo hold for your bags).
Dec 22, 2013, 6:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,408
Best case scenario is if that next flight has open seats in your purchased fare class and DL rebooks you for only the change fee. Worst case is you are considered a no-show, you lose all remaining value of your ticket and have to buy a whole new ticket for the rest of your itinerary.
Dec 22, 2013, 7:07 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,108
The NRT hub is timed and operated for connecting traffic. Arguments like "I got lost in the airport" are unlikely to hold much weight, as (eg) there is staff on hand to direct you exactly where you need to go. If you're going to do this, be prepared to pay for a new ticket, though as usual YMMV according to the agent you get.
That said, I'm surprised you can't get a stopover. Pretty much every ticket (revenue and award) transiting NRT I've booked allowed for a stopover in Tokyo, and I've taken advantage of this several times. Also, if you're flying out of LAX, try LAX-HND/NRT-PVG. That should require an overnight.
That said, I'm surprised you can't get a stopover. Pretty much every ticket (revenue and award) transiting NRT I've booked allowed for a stopover in Tokyo, and I've taken advantage of this several times. Also, if you're flying out of LAX, try LAX-HND/NRT-PVG. That should require an overnight.
Dec 22, 2013, 7:18 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
The NRT hub is timed and operated for connecting traffic. Arguments like "I got lost in the airport" are unlikely to hold much weight, as (eg) there is staff on hand to direct you exactly where you need to go. If you're going to do this, be prepared to pay for a new ticket, though as usual YMMV according to the agent you get.
Dec 22, 2013, 7:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,661
0-1 day visit -- visit Narita (a taste of Japan)
2-5 day visit -- visit Tokyo (a taste of Tokyo)
Tokyo is $20-$200 each way and 2 hours w/ $250-$500 a night hotels. Narita is $0 each way and 10 minutes w/ $75 a night hotels w/ the circle bus, malls, temple, restaurants and endless lovely streets to walk.
And as noted, no good excuse to miss a connection at NRT.
2-5 day visit -- visit Tokyo (a taste of Tokyo)
Tokyo is $20-$200 each way and 2 hours w/ $250-$500 a night hotels. Narita is $0 each way and 10 minutes w/ $75 a night hotels w/ the circle bus, malls, temple, restaurants and endless lovely streets to walk.
And as noted, no good excuse to miss a connection at NRT.
Dec 22, 2013, 8:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,661
Dec 22, 2013, 8:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: West LA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 957
My wife did that once and we spent the night in Narita(city). They just put us on the next day flight and did not charge us anything. They pulled our bags off as well. She was actually motion sick from our inbound flight from SIN, but that magically disappeared once we got to our hotel room.
Dec 22, 2013, 8:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
With checked bags, might note that you're not just inconveniencing the airline, but all of the other pax and crew on the plane who take a delay while your bags are being pulled off.
Selfish much?
Selfish much?
Dec 22, 2013, 8:24 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: West LA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 957
Dec 22, 2013, 8:27 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
One of the interesting aspects of walking toward immigration at NRT is that you walk through a health check point. There are government employees standing in doorways on either side of the corridor wearing masks and looking out for travelers who appear to be sick; presumably they pull these people into the offices on either side of the corridor before they are able to walk up to the immigration inspectors.
Dec 22, 2013, 9:11 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,403
You're assuming that if you "miss" the connection, DL will put you on their flight to PEK/SHA the next day. however, there might be some SkyTeam flights using MU or CZ that leave NRT later as well as very early morning flights the next day. Do not assume....