Skipping first leg - Delta / Air France - repercussions?
Mar 7, 2019, 8:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 642
Skipping first leg - Delta / Air France - repercussions?
Have an itinerary on Delta and Air France booked from SFO-LAX-PPT - was a dirt cheap flight using UR - 18k for the flight. The LAX-PPT portion on AF leaves at midnight from LAX, but the SFO-LAX leg leaves SFO at 7am - requiring me to sit all day at LAX - I normally wouldn't mind but I have commitments that day.
Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Mar 7, 2019, 8:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,650
Have an itinerary on Delta and Air France booked from SFO-LAX-PPT - was a dirt cheap flight using UR - 18k for the flight. The LAX-PPT portion on AF leaves at midnight from LAX, but the SFO-LAX leg leaves SFO at 7am - requiring me to sit all day at LAX - I normally wouldn't mind but I have commitments that day.
Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Mar 7, 2019, 8:05 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,588
Have an itinerary on Delta and Air France booked from SFO-LAX-PPT - was a dirt cheap flight using UR - 18k for the flight. The LAX-PPT portion on AF leaves at midnight from LAX, but the SFO-LAX leg leaves SFO at 7am - requiring me to sit all day at LAX - I normally wouldn't mind but I have commitments that day. Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Mar 7, 2019, 8:25 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,588
You can try a same day change to a later flight possibly for a nominal fee. Not sure what the DL rules are but others here can probably provide some insight.
Mar 7, 2019, 8:31 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,781
DL does not allow same day changes on itineraries that include an international flight except after all the international segments have been flown.
Mar 7, 2019, 9:36 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,026
You can always take the first flight and then fly right back to SFO. Spend the day up north and take something around 9 PM back down.
You just probably shouldn’t do these other flights on Delta.
You just probably shouldn’t do these other flights on Delta.
Mar 7, 2019, 10:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: DL PM/1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 117
Have an itinerary on Delta and Air France booked from SFO-LAX-PPT - was a dirt cheap flight using UR - 18k for the flight. The LAX-PPT portion on AF leaves at midnight from LAX, but the SFO-LAX leg leaves SFO at 7am - requiring me to sit all day at LAX - I normally wouldn't mind but I have commitments that day.
Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Wondering if I can skip the SFO-LAX leg and show up to LAX in the evening from a WN flight and just board the LAX-PPT leg. Can I do this or I'll be denied boarding LAX-PPT for skipping the first leg?
Mar 7, 2019, 10:26 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
The point being (for the cautious) that Delta's computers might get confused and cancel the leg to PPT. Regardless, I would not attempt to fly anywhere else, and instead leave LAX by transit for the day. Options:
1. LAX Airporter bus to Union Station. Walk to Olvera Street or anywhere else of interest downtown.
2. Santa Monica transit bus to Westwood. Pick up at the bus turnaround in front of long term parking Lot C.
3. From Westwood Blvd, transfer to LA bus that stops at the Getty Museum. Great museum, but a pain by bus. I've done it, so it is possible.
Mar 7, 2019, 10:35 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2018
Location: HPN, PVG, HLD
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 79
One time I missed my first leg of SAN-LAX-PVG, and the phone agent managed to drop the first leg and change my ticket to LAX-PVG without additional fees, I made it later by Lyfting from SAN to LAX. Maybe give that a try and call Delta.
Mar 7, 2019, 10:42 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,026
It would be too late, if that doesn't work.
Mar 8, 2019, 4:03 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: British Airways Gold
Posts: 2,635
Very bad advice, gambling on a successful outcome of that strategy once the original flight has already left
Mar 8, 2019, 5:33 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
Mar 8, 2019, 5:48 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, MR Gold, Hilton Gold, National Exec
Posts: 533
