Cancelling one of two passengers - but want to keep elite benefits
Nov 11, 2018, 10:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 169
Cancelling one of two passengers - but want to keep elite benefits
I'm booked together with wife on a round trip. She booked the trip for both of us since she has medallion status and I no longer do. We routinely both get upgrades this way.
We're both flying out today. She needs to cancel her return flight and fly elsewhere instead of returning home. Not concerned about the money, ok with eating that. When should she cancel? If, hypothetically, she was to check us both in to that flight, with usual upgrade, could she later cancel herself without affecting me? If she cancels now, several days before the flight, do I lose any chance at her usual perks? Any other issues I'm forgetting?
We're both flying out today. She needs to cancel her return flight and fly elsewhere instead of returning home. Not concerned about the money, ok with eating that. When should she cancel? If, hypothetically, she was to check us both in to that flight, with usual upgrade, could she later cancel herself without affecting me? If she cancels now, several days before the flight, do I lose any chance at her usual perks? Any other issues I'm forgetting?
Nov 11, 2018, 11:57 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Once she cancels, all medallion perks go away.
If you were upgraded before cancellation, you will likely be downgraded. It did not used to be this way, but seems to now be this way.
I suppose that you could do online check in, and then she could cancel, which would give your boarding pass Sky Priority stamped on it, and you could then use that check in and security line. Print the boarding pass and don't show it to SP check in in case they would take it away and give you a new one.
However, if you are already upgraded and do it this way, you risk being downgraded to a bad middle seat.
If you were upgraded before cancellation, you will likely be downgraded. It did not used to be this way, but seems to now be this way.
I suppose that you could do online check in, and then she could cancel, which would give your boarding pass Sky Priority stamped on it, and you could then use that check in and security line. Print the boarding pass and don't show it to SP check in in case they would take it away and give you a new one.
However, if you are already upgraded and do it this way, you risk being downgraded to a bad middle seat.
Nov 11, 2018, 12:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
Unless there's enough time for you to board in your upgraded seat, and she doesn't. This happened with me where I had to divert in ATL after we both flew EWR>ATL together. My new flight was 3.5 hours after hers, so I waited in line with her. She boarded in her upgraded seat in 1D, then I just walked away.
It was only a 30 minute ATL>HSV seat on a 717, so I wasn't losing much to just let it ride. Later that evening I boarded my ATL>SNA flight. They never went onboard and moved her.
It was only a 30 minute ATL>HSV seat on a 717, so I wasn't losing much to just let it ride. Later that evening I boarded my ATL>SNA flight. They never went onboard and moved her.
Nov 11, 2018, 1:49 pm
#5
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If you are going to "eat" the ticket cost, then maybe a no show would be better.
If you cancel, things can happen.
If you cancel, things can happen.
Nov 11, 2018, 1:54 pm
#6
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Location: NYC
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But I guess worst case, if the system does flag the unaccompanied companion for downgrade they’ll probably just swap him with the next elite on the standby list which would likely mean at least a C+ seat.
Nov 11, 2018, 3:07 pm
#8
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Unless this is a companion ticket or some other oddball promotion, the sole impact of the wife's no show or cancellation will be that OP does not get her Medallion benefits.
As she is remaining in ATL, whether it pays for her to cancel depends on the cost of the segment she does not wish to fly. If a standard domestic penalty of $200 and the segment is worth more than $200, then cancel close to departure and she will have the value of the segment less $200. If not, do not bother cancelling. If, for some reason the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, she may then cancel for a full cash refund of the segment fare.
As to gaming OP's ticket, the short answer is that the sole likely benefit that matters is the upgrade and that either will not happen or will be "revoked" if she does not board and there is a waiting list for the seat.
As she is remaining in ATL, whether it pays for her to cancel depends on the cost of the segment she does not wish to fly. If a standard domestic penalty of $200 and the segment is worth more than $200, then cancel close to departure and she will have the value of the segment less $200. If not, do not bother cancelling. If, for some reason the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, she may then cancel for a full cash refund of the segment fare.
As to gaming OP's ticket, the short answer is that the sole likely benefit that matters is the upgrade and that either will not happen or will be "revoked" if she does not board and there is a waiting list for the seat.
Nov 11, 2018, 8:50 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
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She will forfeit the remaining value of her ticket if it is a nonrefundable fare(1). Beyond that, no.
(1) - If the ticket is refundable she can call after the flight to get a refund for the unused portion of the ticket. DL does not require cancellation before departure for refundable fares.
Nov 11, 2018, 8:56 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 169
She will forfeit the remaining value of her ticket if it is a nonrefundable fare(1). Beyond that, no.
(1) - If the ticket is refundable she can call after the flight to get a refund for the unused portion of the ticket. DL does not require cancellation before departure for refundable fares.
(1) - If the ticket is refundable she can call after the flight to get a refund for the unused portion of the ticket. DL does not require cancellation before departure for refundable fares.
Nov 11, 2018, 9:33 pm
#12
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If loads are light and you're in Y, then maybe.
Nov 12, 2018, 8:52 am
#13
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I'm booked together with wife on a round trip. She booked the trip for both of us since she has medallion status and I no longer do. We routinely both get upgrades this way.
We're both flying out today. She needs to cancel her return flight and fly elsewhere instead of returning home. Not concerned about the money, ok with eating that. When should she cancel? If, hypothetically, she was to check us both in to that flight, with usual upgrade, could she later cancel herself without affecting me? If she cancels now, several days before the flight, do I lose any chance at her usual perks? Any other issues I'm forgetting?
We're both flying out today. She needs to cancel her return flight and fly elsewhere instead of returning home. Not concerned about the money, ok with eating that. When should she cancel? If, hypothetically, she was to check us both in to that flight, with usual upgrade, could she later cancel herself without affecting me? If she cancels now, several days before the flight, do I lose any chance at her usual perks? Any other issues I'm forgetting?
Nov 12, 2018, 9:02 am
#14
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I would assume not. You certainly don't own your wife's open seat. When she doesn't board by the deadline, her seat will be assigned to another customer or nonrev. Plus you can't avoid having someone change into the seat on board. For example, if she had the aisle and you a middle, you should expect to sit in the middle seat if she simply no shows.
Nov 12, 2018, 10:29 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
I would assume not. You certainly don't own your wife's open seat. When she doesn't board by the deadline, her seat will be assigned to another customer or nonrev. Plus you can't avoid having someone change into the seat on board. For example, if she had the aisle and you a middle, you should expect to sit in the middle seat if she simply no shows.
