I am traveling round trip. I just figured the layover connection is closer to my destination on the way. I want to get off at the layover, but I do not want to cancel any part of the return. If this was my last leg, I could get off, but I can not. I am traveling with 2 children too. I will take any advice or excuses. The airline change fee is triple cost of ticket.

You can't. As you note, you could if it was the last leg but doing what you are saying will cause the rest of your trip to cancel.

99.9% of the time you can not do this. .1% you can if you are on another carrier and the computer systems do not speak with each other.

Well... you caaan, but it requires some skill at social engineering. I did it just yesterday. Its not really honest, and you do put yourself at some risk at the airline noticing what you did and doing something like kicking you out of their frequent flier program.

The easiest is of course if the airline is at fault for something. An example of this is a friend of mine had a flight attendant accidentally spilled coffee on him mid flight. He took the opportunity to complain about it and essentially told them that now he needed to not take his flight for x and y, and that their option z will not work and why.

People make exceptions, but you have to give them a good enough reason to.

If have enough skill telling stories, and perhaps a good poker face, acting skill, and status, you can get away with a lot.

Just don't be upset if it doesn't work =P

You can't, they will cancel the rest of your ticket if you don't show for any leg.

Thank you.

As this question is really not about miles/points accumulation, and has been answered, I'll close the thread.