Throw-Away Ticketing, Hidden City Ticketing, and Skipping Legs: The Definitive Thread
Jan 29, 2024, 2:24 pm
#992
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Jan 29, 2024, 5:35 pm
#994
Join Date: Apr 2016
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If I have said 6+ plus layover, on an all domestic itinerary, is there any chance a surly bag check agent could DENY me the opportunity to short check bags to the layover point?
Reason being is the luggage HAS to come off at the layover as we are walking away at that point. If I am entitled to get my checked luggage short checked and cant be denied that option, should be good to go. However if there is any chance that I cannot do that, I wont take the risk.
Reason being is the luggage HAS to come off at the layover as we are walking away at that point. If I am entitled to get my checked luggage short checked and cant be denied that option, should be good to go. However if there is any chance that I cannot do that, I wont take the risk.
Jan 29, 2024, 5:40 pm
#995
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The "we" here would make me a little more nervous about doing this. When it's one person that skips the last leg of a ticket, it's not going to throw as many red flags in the system...when there are multiple people, it just might cause DL to look into your actions a little further.
Feb 22, 2024, 12:51 pm
#997
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Hi all - looking for your advice. Will soon be flying west coast - ATL - caribbean and return, on a SkyMiles award ticket. On the return I need to stop in Atlanta for a couple of days, so I'm looking to skip the last leg back to the west coast if DL won't allow an easy change (or tries to jack up the miles requirement to drop a leg, etc.). I will have checked luggage. Given the unique setup at ATL, does anyone see problems with grabbing my luggage at customs and then exiting as a local rather than connecting passenger? Just want to understand any ATL-specific considerations that might throw a wrench in that plan. Thanks in advance!
Feb 22, 2024, 1:00 pm
#998
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Hi all - looking for your advice. Will soon be flying west coast - ATL - caribbean and return, on a SkyMiles award ticket. On the return I need to stop in Atlanta for a couple of days, so I'm looking to skip the last leg back to the west coast if DL won't allow an easy change (or tries to jack up the miles requirement to drop a leg, etc.). I will have checked luggage. Given the unique setup at ATL, does anyone see problems with grabbing my luggage at customs and then exiting as a local rather than connecting passenger? Just want to understand any ATL-specific considerations that might throw a wrench in that plan. Thanks in advance!
Is your Caribbean destination a US pre-clearance destination? That could potentially throw a wrench into this as well since you wouldn’t even claim your bag for customs at ATL. Though that issue can still be alleviated by booking a connection with a long enough layover to allow for short-checking.
Feb 22, 2024, 1:14 pm
#999
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Thanks. It’s not a pre clearance destination. It sounds then like the bags are routed to different places in ATL depending on final destination? That is, it’s not like other US airports where CBP all happens together and then you different directions after clearing customs?
Feb 22, 2024, 1:37 pm
#1000
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Thanks. It’s not a pre clearance destination. It sounds then like the bags are routed to different places in ATL depending on final destination? That is, it’s not like other US airports where CBP all happens together and then you different directions after clearing customs?
Another potential issue: is your destination in the Caribbean only served from ATL with DL or does DL fly to other hubs/cities? In the event of IROPS, DL could rebook you via another hub. While you may have some flexibility in rebooking from what DL initially rebooks you on, if there are limited options or no available seats on a flight to ATL by the time you need to be there, this could also be problematic.
Feb 22, 2024, 3:11 pm
#1001
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I believe the issue only applies if you arrive in E. If you arrive in F, it becomes a non-issue. But there's no way to tell in advance which Concourse you will arrive at.
Another potential issue: is your destination in the Caribbean only served from ATL with DL or does DL fly to other hubs/cities? In the event of IROPS, DL could rebook you via another hub. While you may have some flexibility in rebooking from what DL initially rebooks you on, if there are limited options or no available seats on a flight to ATL by the time you need to be there, this could also be problematic.
Another potential issue: is your destination in the Caribbean only served from ATL with DL or does DL fly to other hubs/cities? In the event of IROPS, DL could rebook you via another hub. While you may have some flexibility in rebooking from what DL initially rebooks you on, if there are limited options or no available seats on a flight to ATL by the time you need to be there, this could also be problematic.