Buying a Return, Only Using Outbound Leg
Nov 17, 2010, 2:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 561
Buying a Return, Only Using Outbound Leg
Does anyone have experience of buying a return KLM ticket, but only using the outbound leg?
I need to fly one-way EDI-AMS. A return ticket is about 35% the cost of a one-way ticket. Does anyone know if KLM tend to invoice travellers for the difference in price if the return segment is not used, or do they only do this for repeat offenders?
In the past I've been able to successfully fly on the return leg of a ticket where I didn't use the outbound flight (on a KL operated by VG), so my impression is that they're not so efficient at picking these things up.
Thanks!
I need to fly one-way EDI-AMS. A return ticket is about 35% the cost of a one-way ticket. Does anyone know if KLM tend to invoice travellers for the difference in price if the return segment is not used, or do they only do this for repeat offenders?
In the past I've been able to successfully fly on the return leg of a ticket where I didn't use the outbound flight (on a KL operated by VG), so my impression is that they're not so efficient at picking these things up.
Thanks!
Nov 17, 2010, 2:52 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Programs: Many
Posts: 773
Does anyone have experience of buying a return KLM ticket, but only using the outbound leg?
I need to fly one-way EDI-AMS. A return ticket is about 35% the cost of a one-way ticket. Does anyone know if KLM tend to invoice travellers for the difference in price if the return segment is not used, or do they only do this for repeat offenders?
I need to fly one-way EDI-AMS. A return ticket is about 35% the cost of a one-way ticket. Does anyone know if KLM tend to invoice travellers for the difference in price if the return segment is not used, or do they only do this for repeat offenders?
The usual rules for risk minimization apply however:
- Buy the ticket directly with the carrier, not an Online Travel Agent or even worse an independent Travel Agency. At least in the US the airlines charged the difference not to the end customer but to the TA.
- For further risk minimization, do not put in your FB number. I would not bother about it, but it's your call.
- Do not buy the ticket through a company contract with the airline.
In the past I've been able to successfully fly on the return leg of a ticket where I didn't use the outbound flight (on a KL operated by VG), so my impression is that they're not so efficient at picking these things up.
Nov 17, 2010, 3:17 am
#3
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
They are getting quite strict. If you are travelling from Antwerp to anywhere via Amsterdam and the first leg is by train, you still to pick your train ticket in Antwerp otherwise they will not let you on the plane in Amsterdam.
Nov 17, 2010, 6:27 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
Isn't this two entirely different things:
a) not taking the inbound flight
b) not taking the first leg of the ticket?
Not taking the first leg of the ticket does definitely not work. However,
I discarded the return flights 3 times in the past 5 years (once even on advice of the KL ticket desk in AMS), always with my FB number in the booking, and I never had any problem.
And yet, I would do it only in emergency situations, you never know if you might get into trouble (i.e. are charged for a one-way flight in the end).
a) not taking the inbound flight
b) not taking the first leg of the ticket?
Not taking the first leg of the ticket does definitely not work. However,
I discarded the return flights 3 times in the past 5 years (once even on advice of the KL ticket desk in AMS), always with my FB number in the booking, and I never had any problem.
And yet, I would do it only in emergency situations, you never know if you might get into trouble (i.e. are charged for a one-way flight in the end).
Nov 17, 2010, 12:14 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
I find that the airlines really cannot impose charges against you (or your TA) if you don't make the return flight. Especially on non-changeable tickets. Because, well, STUFF happens and there are many reasons why you legitimately cannot make that flight and that you cannot change it.
I've had many situations when my plans change and I cannot change my ticket so have to forfeit the return leg. If I can change it even for a fee, I would rather. But then in most cases when change fees allow changes, they usually cost more than the ticket itself. So why bother?
I've had many situations when my plans change and I cannot change my ticket so have to forfeit the return leg. If I can change it even for a fee, I would rather. But then in most cases when change fees allow changes, they usually cost more than the ticket itself. So why bother?
Nov 18, 2010, 1:18 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M, BA Executive Club, Sofitel Plat, Priority Club, Starwood Preferred Guest
Posts: 1,447
Although it's against the rules, airlines rarely enforce the rule and I know of quite some examples where my colleagues have also not used the return flights in order to cut costs for their departmental travel budget. 
It does lead to no-shows for the airline if you do not cancel and that in turn makes airlines overbook their flights again.
But I think these full fare return fare policies are really old fashioned pricing mechanisms.
One should be able to book a oneway at a reasonable price and until this is in place, people will always try ways to circumvent the airlines policies.
It does lead to no-shows for the airline if you do not cancel and that in turn makes airlines overbook their flights again.
But I think these full fare return fare policies are really old fashioned pricing mechanisms.
One should be able to book a oneway at a reasonable price and until this is in place, people will always try ways to circumvent the airlines policies.
Nov 19, 2010, 1:34 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 561
Originally Posted by markle
In the past I've been able to successfully fly on the return leg of a ticket where I didn't use the outbound flight (on a KL operated by VG), so my impression is that they're not so efficient at picking these things up.
I didn't expect it to work, but thought I'd try checking in online for the return flight... and it worked. I called CS to confirm if I would be allowed to fly - their answer?
"No"
"But why have I been issued a valid boarding pass then?"
"I don't know Sir"
I decided to try anyway... and I was able to board the flight with no difficulty at all.
Nov 19, 2010, 1:40 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 561
Charging almost 3x the return fare for a oneway is utterly stupid.
Nov 19, 2010, 3:39 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Programs: Many
Posts: 773
Incredibly this was in Dec 2009.
I didn't expect it to work, but thought I'd try checking in online for the return flight... and it worked. I called CS to confirm if I would be allowed to fly - their answer?
"No"
"But why have I been issued a valid boarding pass then?"
"I don't know Sir"
I decided to try anyway... and I was able to board the flight with no difficulty at all.
I didn't expect it to work, but thought I'd try checking in online for the return flight... and it worked. I called CS to confirm if I would be allowed to fly - their answer?
"No"
"But why have I been issued a valid boarding pass then?"
"I don't know Sir"
I decided to try anyway... and I was able to board the flight with no difficulty at all.
Nov 19, 2010, 6:25 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 561
I also had hand-luggage only, so there was no opportunity for the checkin clerk to say anything.
