Missing Connecting Flight
Jul 25, 2017 | 12:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Missing Connecting Flight
Hello,
I am flying to Brazil and I have a flight that connects in Sao Paolo and then ends in Rio. I have the exact same connection on the way out. My plans have changed and I would like to stay in Sao Paolo upon arrival but still fly out of Rio. Is it possible for me to go to the counter in Sao Paolo and simply inform the attendants that I will not be making the connecting flight or will that force them to cancel my return flight? I will obviously only do carry on luggage. I don't speak Portugese so I am worried about my ability to communicate with the flight staff.
I am flying to Brazil and I have a flight that connects in Sao Paolo and then ends in Rio. I have the exact same connection on the way out. My plans have changed and I would like to stay in Sao Paolo upon arrival but still fly out of Rio. Is it possible for me to go to the counter in Sao Paolo and simply inform the attendants that I will not be making the connecting flight or will that force them to cancel my return flight? I will obviously only do carry on luggage. I don't speak Portugese so I am worried about my ability to communicate with the flight staff.
Jul 25, 2017 | 2:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
If this is all on one ticket you''ll more than likely get the rest of your ticket canceled. Have you contacted the airline to find out what it would cost to change your ticket to the itinerary you want? It might be worth the extra cost to avoid hassles.
You might luck out with being too ill to fly to Rio and have the airline agree that you'll make your own way to Rio and they'll keep your return intact but make sure they actually do that last part or you'll end up screwed.
You might luck out with being too ill to fly to Rio and have the airline agree that you'll make your own way to Rio and they'll keep your return intact but make sure they actually do that last part or you'll end up screwed.
Jul 25, 2017 | 2:08 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,677
Hello,
I am flying to Brazil and I have a flight that connects in Sao Paolo and then ends in Rio. I have the exact same connection on the way out. My plans have changed and I would like to stay in Sao Paolo upon arrival but still fly out of Rio. Is it possible for me to go to the counter in Sao Paolo and simply inform the attendants that I will not be making the connecting flight or will that force them to cancel my return flight? I will obviously only do carry on luggage. I don't speak Portugese so I am worried about my ability to communicate with the flight staff.
I am flying to Brazil and I have a flight that connects in Sao Paolo and then ends in Rio. I have the exact same connection on the way out. My plans have changed and I would like to stay in Sao Paolo upon arrival but still fly out of Rio. Is it possible for me to go to the counter in Sao Paolo and simply inform the attendants that I will not be making the connecting flight or will that force them to cancel my return flight? I will obviously only do carry on luggage. I don't speak Portugese so I am worried about my ability to communicate with the flight staff.
You could contact the airline or your travel agent in advance and ask about re-pricing the ticket as an open-jaw, if your ticket even allows for changes. However it may likely cost additional money in terms of a fare difference and probably change fees.
Welcome to FT.
Jul 25, 2017 | 5:33 pm
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 13,925
Give it a try once you reach GRU. You never know what is possible in Brasil, but be prepared that you have to take the flight to GIG (in order to protect your return flights form being cancelled). If agents can not/refuse to remove the GRU- GIG leg from your ticket, another option is to buy a cheap ticket GIG-GRU ticket (yes, it will be annoying and more time consuming to fly GRU-GIG-GRU, but at least you will get to Sao Paolo).
I'm sure some agents will be able to understand you in English (suggestion: use Google translate app)
I'm sure some agents will be able to understand you in English (suggestion: use Google translate app)
Jul 25, 2017 | 9:19 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
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Posts: 31,439
I think the risks with this approach are significant. There can be a misunderstanding about the requirement to take the flight, leading OP to believe that the return is protected when in fact it isn't. We had a thread here a while ago where someone asked an agent whether they 'could' do something, without specifically asking whether they 'should' and what the consequences would be. In the end it was a pretty big mess.
Jul 27, 2017 | 12:36 am
#7
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If you decide to purchase a ticket between San Paulo and Rio, note that each city has a domestic airport that is much closer to downtown and handles most of the domestic flights. You don't want a ticket GIG-GRU or vv but rather (assuming you do this directly on the day of arrival) GIG-domestic SP airport and return domestic SP airport to domestic RdJ airport (sorry but I forget the airport codes for the domestic airports). However, watch out in that searching for example on the GOL website or even using resources such as google flights with throw in some additional airports that are very far from these cities although they can have good LCC fares.