Skipping last leg on KLM/DL itinerary?
 

New to the forums, so forgive the potentially naive question!

I'm flying from NYC to Cape Town next month, and may need to modify my return trip.

Currently being routed CPT > AMS > BOS > LGA

However, I may need to skip out on BOS > LGA because of a family function.

Because it's the last leg of the trip, if I check a bag, could my bag be 'short checked' to BOS?

Any advice would be appreciated!

The official answer is no. YMMV.

Since BOS is your US point of entry you must collect your bag regardless. There is no distinction here between short and long checking.

Somebody familiar with BOS should be able to comment on how easily you can leave the airport after collecting your bag and clearning customs and immigration.

You're lucky BOS is your point of entry. Generally, excepting some specific circumstances, Delta will
not short check bags.

You will land in terminal E in Boston. Just walk out and you should be good to go.

The problem would be if, something happens to your BOS flight, or your CPT/AMS flight is late, and you're rerouted to NYC, either, nonstop to JFK from AMS, or via another hub in the USA that has a flight from AMS.

Welcome to FlyerTalk Delta Forum! :)

But you can always decline the reroute, even if
you need to call after being VIPERed.

I edited my post to also say that . . . if the CPT/AMS flight is late and they miss the BOS flight.

Besides, I guess they can decline the reroute, but, how many AMS/BOS flights will remain available that day?

Thanks for the info! I'll have about 4 hrs in AMS, so if there are delays, hopefully nothing too crazy!

AMS/BOS is at least twice daily service. Great flight in Main Cabin because its so short.

If you miss AMS/BOS you can always ask for AMS-CDG-BOS-LGA. Or worst case if you end up in NYC, its a 3.5 hour drive to BOS.

However coming back it would be KLM, NOT DL that would determine the reroute. Also remeber KLM is on the hook for EU261 compensation and regardless of reason EU261 duty of care. Therefore they might refuse to change the routing to go through BOS, if it means either of those expenses would apply.

This. On this side of the Atlantic, since EU261 applies to foreign carriers, they are very careful about re-routing after irrops. KLM plays by their rules even when managing DL flights, and they provide little flexibility.

Another problem, though highly unlikely, would be that you deplane in BOS and go to the carousel to get your bag before going through customs, and your bag isn't there because it was mistakenly sent on to LGA. Returning with family on an international trip a few years ago and one person's back was mistakenly directed right onto the aircraft for the final domestic leg and never came through on the pre-customs baggage carousel. No idea how that happened when all other bags were properly routed, but it did. Delta rep just shrugged their shoulders.