Hidden city ticketing on Delta - Consolidated Threads
Jun 4, 16, 11:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Hidden City and then Flying Back on an Award Ticket
I'm trying to get to Minneapolis for a weekend later this month. It makes abundant sense to fly a Delta hidden city ticket on the way there xxx - MSP - LAS. However, the best option on the return is to fly back on Delta miles on a non-stop out of MSP.
The first ticket is a hidden city ticket and the second ticket is a normal award ticket on a different PNR. If only the second (award) flight is associated with my FF account, would this be a problem?
The first ticket is a hidden city ticket and the second ticket is a normal award ticket on a different PNR. If only the second (award) flight is associated with my FF account, would this be a problem?
Jun 4, 16, 11:24 am
#2
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Originally Posted by thrifty5
I'm trying to get to Minneapolis for a weekend later this month. It makes abundant sense to fly a Delta hidden city ticket on the way there xxx - MSP - LAS. However, the best option on the return is to fly back on Delta miles on a non-stop out of MSP.
The first ticket is a hidden city ticket and the second ticket is a normal award ticket on a different PNR. If only the second (award) flight is associated with my FF account, would this be a problem?
The first ticket is a hidden city ticket and the second ticket is a normal award ticket on a different PNR. If only the second (award) flight is associated with my FF account, would this be a problem?
Jun 4, 16, 11:25 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,058
You may wish to check Delta's CoC to see if they have any restrictions on using so-called "hidden city" ticketing. Since Delta offers one-way award fares, I don't see why it would be a problem for you to purchase and fly on a one-way award ticket.
Jun 4, 16, 11:40 am
#4
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
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Posts: 6,285
It's one of those things that DL could hit you for if they chose. Has there been any documented cases here of DL trying to bill people after the fact, or suspending accounts?
Doing it once in a blue moon is probably Ok, but I wouldn't associate your DL FF number with it (you could credit it to a partner, or just accept that you're not getting miles in exchange for a cheaper ticket).
Doing it once in a blue moon is probably Ok, but I wouldn't associate your DL FF number with it (you could credit it to a partner, or just accept that you're not getting miles in exchange for a cheaper ticket).
Jun 4, 16, 1:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,172
The return flight has little to do with anything.
The outbound hidden city gets discussed every week or so. The short answer is:
. It is against DL rules, but they are extremely unlikely to anything about it when done occasionally.
. Can not check bags. Possibly even carry on could be gate checked to LAS, so keep the bags small.
. DL does not promise you a flight to MSP. If they route you through SLC or such, you have no claim in any way against them. And could well pay a lot for a day of departure ticket to fix the problem.
The outbound hidden city gets discussed every week or so. The short answer is:
. It is against DL rules, but they are extremely unlikely to anything about it when done occasionally.
. Can not check bags. Possibly even carry on could be gate checked to LAS, so keep the bags small.
. DL does not promise you a flight to MSP. If they route you through SLC or such, you have no claim in any way against them. And could well pay a lot for a day of departure ticket to fix the problem.
Last edited by exwannabe; Jun 4, 16 at 1:44 pm
Jun 4, 16, 2:51 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Hmm alright. I will be flying with a personal item only and it's the last flight of the night, and the morning flights the next day are also via MSP.
I'm not going to associate my DL FF with the first ticket--but I'm hearing that there's no way that getting noticed on the hidden city ticket would impact the second award ticket?
I'm not going to associate my DL FF with the first ticket--but I'm hearing that there's no way that getting noticed on the hidden city ticket would impact the second award ticket?
Jun 4, 16, 3:18 pm
#8
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No idea how they run programs looking for hidden city stuff. Name match? Or FF number match?
Doing hidden is common and never heard of anyone posting here with a problem. Actually, I can not think of anyone having account problems other than folks apparently selling miles/tickets.
If you leave you FF number of the paid for ticket, and are willing to give up the segment/miles/secret coded points/etc....then I would go for it.
And of course the IRROPS that might send you to Vegas instead. Did not see your origination city.
Doing hidden is common and never heard of anyone posting here with a problem. Actually, I can not think of anyone having account problems other than folks apparently selling miles/tickets.
If you leave you FF number of the paid for ticket, and are willing to give up the segment/miles/secret coded points/etc....then I would go for it.
And of course the IRROPS that might send you to Vegas instead. Did not see your origination city.
Jun 4, 16, 9:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,462
As long as the award doesn't overlap the revenue ticket you should be fine. You say a weekend in MSP so you have plenty of time to get back to MSP from LAS on other carriers. 
I would proceed as you originally planned.
I would proceed as you originally planned.
Mar 5, 17, 7:24 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Hidden City ticket reality of Delta punishing?
Taking a trip to Asia for which the return flight has a connection. The first stop is my home city and I plan to not board the final leg of this trip. I know it's against the rules, but I've never done it before. What is the reality that Delta will call me out on it after missing the flight. My big concern would be losing the MQMs for the flights I actually took. Has anyone reading this actually been "punished" for doing this?
Mar 5, 17, 9:27 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
Originally Posted by Superib
Taking a trip to Asia for which the return flight has a connection. The first stop is my home city and I plan to not board the final leg of this trip. I know it's against the rules, but I've never done it before. What is the reality that Delta will call me out on it after missing the flight. My big concern would be losing the MQMs for the flights I actually took. Has anyone reading this actually been "punished" for doing this?
Mar 5, 17, 9:46 am
#15
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What international arrival airport? Checked bags at ATL can be a problem.
