Split Itinerary Question
 

We are a family of 4 from Boston, planning to visit family in Turkey (Destination Izmir, ADB) and want to spend 3 days in Rome on the way. As a multi-city single itinerary, Turkish Airlines has the best fare (other combis are much more $$), but we need to fly BOS-IST and wait 6.5 hrs. before connecting back to IST-FCO which arrives at midnight. That’s also half a day of time we can use for sightseeing in Rome. First world problems, but still time is limited for us.

As a long time international traveler, I am paranoid and wary of buying separate tickets. But we are debating whether we should get a one way ticket BOS-FCO on Norwegian (8 hr flight time and arrives mid day) and get a separate TK ticket for FCO-ADB and return ADB-BOS. Total cost is basically the same as the single itinerary ticket above.

Even if the BOS-FCO Norwegian flight is cancelled or delayed, we have a 3 day buffer before having to fly out of FCO for the second ticket. This seems to cover most of the risk and we’ll have travel insurance too. Just wanted to run this by the wise forum travelers to see if it’s a good idea or whether I’m missing something.

Without knowing the travel dates, it is hard to say. But, given DY's financial situation it is hard to predict whether DY will be flying, whether it will have dropped the xBOS service or changed its timing to something inconvenient. Will your travel insurance cover the difference between what you get back from DY and what it costs to purchase BOS-FCO at walk up prices? All less of a concern if the flights are soon.

Another question related to the original: Is there any disadvantage to getting a round trip ticket with Delta BOS-FCO-BOS and NOT fly the return leg of that ticket (cancel it after flying the first leg). We would then continue with our separate TK ticket FCO-ADB and ADB-BOS. Can Delta do anything to jeopardize our separate/second itinerary? I am asking because the round trip fare is 2.5 times cheaper than the one way.

No, DL will not even know that you have a second ticket. However, bear in mind that if anything arises and you need to make changes, DL will only charge one change fee, while if this trip needs to be moved by a few days, you will pay fees to both DL and TK. While your travel may seem fixed, things do arise.