Change or just book new flight?
Mar 28, 2019, 11:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
Change or just book new flight?
I have an upcoming round trip flight, the outbound leg is Tuesday, and the return Wednesday. The total was about $200.
I now need to change the return flight to go to a different city. Since the change fee would be more than the return segment cost, can I just book a new one way flight on Wednesday and no-show for the return or will there be an issue with being booked on two flights at the same time? Does the answer change if I book the new flight on a different airline?
I don't really care about paying the change fee (work will reimburse me), I just don't feel like dealing with the hassle of doing this on the phone. And even if I'm not paying for it, I don't like the idea of spending an extra $200 for no reason.
I now need to change the return flight to go to a different city. Since the change fee would be more than the return segment cost, can I just book a new one way flight on Wednesday and no-show for the return or will there be an issue with being booked on two flights at the same time? Does the answer change if I book the new flight on a different airline?
I don't really care about paying the change fee (work will reimburse me), I just don't feel like dealing with the hassle of doing this on the phone. And even if I'm not paying for it, I don't like the idea of spending an extra $200 for no reason.
Mar 28, 2019, 12:25 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,040
No issue flying outbound and no-show for return. The only obstacle will be if you must book on the same connecting flight out. Then it'll see you on the same flight twice.
I would call DL and see if they'll waive the fee for rebooking. They might be willing, especially if new ticket costs more in this case.
I would call DL and see if they'll waive the fee for rebooking. They might be willing, especially if new ticket costs more in this case.
Mar 28, 2019, 1:15 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
It wouldn't be the same flight connecting. My current itinerary is:
4/2 - LGA-AAA (direct)
4/3 - AAA-LGA (direct)
Need to change the 4/3 to AAA-BBB (direct)
So if I just book AAA-BBB I'd be booked on two flights that leave AAA on the same day (within the same hour).
Will then book a separate flight home to LGA from BBB. I can also book the AAA-BBB on United if that makes this easier, which I may do anyway as the United flight is at a better time.
4/2 - LGA-AAA (direct)
4/3 - AAA-LGA (direct)
Need to change the 4/3 to AAA-BBB (direct)
So if I just book AAA-BBB I'd be booked on two flights that leave AAA on the same day (within the same hour).
Will then book a separate flight home to LGA from BBB. I can also book the AAA-BBB on United if that makes this easier, which I may do anyway as the United flight is at a better time.
Mar 28, 2019, 2:50 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,268
It wouldn't be the same flight connecting. My current itinerary is:
4/2 - LGA-AAA (direct)
4/3 - AAA-LGA (direct)
Need to change the 4/3 to AAA-BBB (direct)
So if I just book AAA-BBB I'd be booked on two flights that leave AAA on the same day (within the same hour).
Will then book a separate flight home to LGA from BBB. I can also book the AAA-BBB on United if that makes this easier, which I may do anyway as the United flight is at a better time.
4/2 - LGA-AAA (direct)
4/3 - AAA-LGA (direct)
Need to change the 4/3 to AAA-BBB (direct)
So if I just book AAA-BBB I'd be booked on two flights that leave AAA on the same day (within the same hour).
Will then book a separate flight home to LGA from BBB. I can also book the AAA-BBB on United if that makes this easier, which I may do anyway as the United flight is at a better time.
Mar 28, 2019, 2:52 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Why not just cancel? You don't pay the fee until/unless you actually change the ticket -- which you could always do at a future date for $200 to recoup the lost value and apply to a new work trip
Mar 28, 2019, 4:00 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
OP would still pay the change fee from Flight #1 to Flight #2 . He would not pay a fee to upgrade if he subsequently did that.
Easiest here is to simply cancel the return of the first ticket. SInce it's likely worth substantially <$200, it won't be worth using it at a future time. You can then book your new ticket without being caught in the "impossible" ticketing algorithm.
Don't know if this is a possibility because you haven't told us where "AAA" is, but you could also book your new ticket on another carrier. This would leave your return on #1 alone and, if that flight is cancelled or substantially delayed, generate a refund.
Easiest here is to simply cancel the return of the first ticket. SInce it's likely worth substantially <$200, it won't be worth using it at a future time. You can then book your new ticket without being caught in the "impossible" ticketing algorithm.
Don't know if this is a possibility because you haven't told us where "AAA" is, but you could also book your new ticket on another carrier. This would leave your return on #1 alone and, if that flight is cancelled or substantially delayed, generate a refund.
Mar 28, 2019, 7:39 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
It's unlikely to make a difference, but I would look at the fare rules for the original ticket and the fare rules for the new OW segment. It's possible that the value of the return part of the original ticket is less than the change fee of $200, but due to the difference between one way and open jaw fares, it's cheaper to change the return portion of the ticket rather than abandon it and purchase a new one way ticket. This is unlikely because pricing for most domestic routes is such that a RT is just two OWs, but there's a chance (depending on what AAA and BBB are) that it might be cheaper to end up with an open jaw ticket.
Mar 28, 2019, 8:23 pm
#11
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,892
They might make such an exception, but I believe that as written the change fee waiver for buying up from Y to F only applies if everything else about the itinerary remains the same and you're just upgrading the cabin.
Mar 28, 2019, 8:23 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,278
The only "person" this ends up being considerate to is to Delta, as it guarantees them the revenue for the unused ticket. If OP no-shows and there are standbys, they will be cleared in once OP is off-loaded for the no-show. If on the other hand OP doesn't show up, but the flight gets significantly delayed, cancelled, or has a significant schedule change, OP would be entitled to the value of that ticket.