Throw-away ticketing with a checked bag?
 

Hi all! I've been reading these forums for quite some time but I finally registered because I've got a question.

I'm looking for advice for a friend who has booked UIO-ATL-DTW-CLE. He plans on getting off at DTW, therefore skipping the DTW-CLE segment. The problem is he is checking a bag (unavoidable). The good news is the layover at DTW is 11 hours. So I called Delta and they told me given the length of the layover, the gate agent at UIO should be able to tag the bag directly to DTW no problem. Provided my friend pays to re-check his bag from DTW-CLE, which obviously won't be an issue. I know that he will have to re-check the bag in ATL after going through customs. I'm wondering if the gate agents at UIO/ATL will actually be willing to tag the bag to DTW or if they are going to give him a hard time.

Second question. He is booking his return flight CLE-ATL-UIO (also on Delta), but purchased as a separate one-way. If he succeeds in skipping the last segment of his first flight, can/will Delta be able to cancel his return flight? Seeing as that it was purchased separately. Would it be safer to to book this on a different airline?

Thanks for any input!

IIRC the DL rule is that for sufficiently long connections, the bag cannot be checked through. There's another range of connection times where you have the option of getting the bag or not. However, check in at UIO is likely to be handled by contract agents so YMMV.

He normally won't have contact with bag check agents at ATL. After exiting customs, there will be an employee screaming at people to go to the bag recheck place where workers will just load bags that are already tagged onto the belt.

Yea, and if you tag is for CLE - tear it off and go to counter to get new tag for DTW.

As to the other flight at a later date. Should be no problem since it is not connected. Folks here have done this often.

(too bad he did not have carryon - would avoid all these concerns)

Why did this person book a ticket to CLE with an 11 hour layover at DTW? One can drive to and from both those airports round trip twice with that length of layover. At least if the bag does to go CLE, it's only a 2.5 hour drive each way to go get it.

Because the ticket to CLE was $250 and a ticket to DTW was $990. The idea was that the layover would be long enough to justify short-checking the bag to DTW.

This one isn't the end of the world. If the bag is tagged to CLE and DL won't reprint a short-tag because the short-check will then show up (all highly unlikely because these are harried agents), it's not as though OP's bags are being sent off to the end of the world.

Worst scenario is the bags go to a place where he can head off to fetch them.

This is a bit risky but mostly in your friend's favor. I think he'll be OK. Just make sure he is aware that if there are any irregular operations, cancellations, or delays, they may rebook him on a flight from ATL-CLE and he might not be able to get the DTW routing back.

Definitely ask to short check your bag to DTW at UIO. The layover can be sufficient reason. But if they refuse, then he can tear the bag tag off at ATL and try again there.

There will not be a problem on the return if it is a separate ticket.

I think you missed the point... the last leg is not meant to be flown and for the reasons listed in the OP, a longer layover is preferable.

Here's what to do. Upon arrival at ATLANTA once through customs, remove the bag tag. Go to the bag recheck and tell them since layover is so long he would like to collect bags at DTW. Since connection is over 6 hours DL will allow the bag to be short checked. They'll print new tag for DTW. At no point say that don't intend to fly to CLE.

The other ticket will be fine.

Your answer is in the international Contract of Carriage.

http://www.delta.com/content/dam/delta-www/pdfs/legal/contract_of_carriage_intl.pdf

Bottom of page 57. Rule 116, Section E(2)(a).

If the connection exceeds six hours, it is your right to have the bag short-checked. This should end the discussion with any Delta employee who tries to tell you otherwise.