Skipping Leg of outbound flight
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: GDL
Programs: DL-Plat, Plat Ambassador, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 935
Skipping Leg of outbound flight
Friend called. He had a RT flight RDU- Sioux Falls connecting thru MSP. Return is tomorrow. They are going somewhere in MN and decided to skip the MSP-Sioux Falls leg and rent car at MSP and drive to their location. They spoke with a gate agent at RDU who told them their return flight is fine.
I was under the impression that if you skip a flight in the middle they could/would cancel the remaining legs. But, the gate agent said, no they can fly back tomorrow fine.
I hope I am wrong? They plan on showing back up at MSP tomorrow for the final leg.
I was under the impression that if you skip a flight in the middle they could/would cancel the remaining legs. But, the gate agent said, no they can fly back tomorrow fine.
I hope I am wrong? They plan on showing back up at MSP tomorrow for the final leg.
Last edited by NC_Girl; Mar 16, 2018 at 9:06 am Reason: Sp
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,885
I would not rely on that advice (GA may have misunderstood what they were asking or maybe was just clueless). I'd expect to be denied boarding when they just show up in MSP. I'd strongly advise they call DL to let them know what they are doing (unfortunately, they may find themselves hit with a big change fee).
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Yeah just showing up at MSP isn't going to work. Even if the gate agent somehow split their trip into two one-ways (which I don't think is possible) if they miss the FSD-MSP leg they will be cancelled on MSP-RDU.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,105
They're going to be in for a nasty surprise when they get to MSP and find out they were marked as a no-show and the following segment canceled.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
They should check online to see status, but you are correct, it would be procedure to cancel the MSP-RDU segment. Once I had an outbound canceled by Delta for weather, and decided to rent a car one way. On the phone, the agent split the ticket into two one ways, keeping the return and refunding the outbound. But they were unable to rebook me in time on the outbound, it was not my choice. Also, it was a two segment trip. not four as in your friend's case.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45 North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,774
#12
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,399
I think the issue of concern is if they only want to take the MSP-RDU leg when their return is FSD-MSP-RDU. If they experienced some kind of IROP on the outbound, there is reason for them to rent the car as a one way and DL can protect the entire return itinerary. I doubt the airline will cancel MSP-FSD-MSP and allow them to just fly RDU-MSP-RDU without some kind of additional cost.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,774
In dealing with Delta he should try to avoid getting mad and yelling about the DL agent in RDU and generally blaming Delta for the whole thing. He is more likely to be treated with leniency if he admits that he may have misunderstood the RDU agent, didn’t understand the rules, etc.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: GDL
Programs: DL-Plat, Plat Ambassador, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 935
He called and spoke with an agent who told him that yes, he would have been denied boarding but that since his flight came into MSP a few minutes late was able to use that to make it ok for him to arrive at MSP today and use just the last leg.
Yes, being nice can go a long way... I learned a long time ago how important that can be.
Thanks for the advice... Spot on as usual !!
Yes, being nice can go a long way... I learned a long time ago how important that can be.
Thanks for the advice... Spot on as usual !!