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This is an archive thread, the active thread is Consolidated UA "Hidden City Ticketing Questions"

from Airline booking ploys

Quote:

Throwaway ticketing is purchasing a ticket with the intent to use only a portion of the included travel. This situation may arise when a passenger wants to travel only one way, but where the discounted round-trip excursion fare is cheaper than a one-way ticket

Throwaway Tickets , such book RT and only use OW - any issues with UA?

Quote:

Hidden city ticketing (HCT) is a variant of throwaway ticketing. The passenger books a ticket to a fictitious destination (the "hidden" city) with a connection at the intended destination, walks away at the connection node, and discards the remaining segment.

Consolidated UA "Hidden City Ticketing Questions" {Archive}

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Dec 12, 2019 | 5:12 am

#721

zagguru

Join Date: Apr 2017

Posts: 225

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

neither LIR or SJO have preclearance

So bags must be picked at first stop in USA?

Dec 12, 2019 | 5:29 am

#722

Colin

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Join Date: Feb 2000

Posts: 6,831

everyone entering the US submits to a customs inspection with all his checked luggage at the port of entry. the only exception is when the flight has been precleared.

Dec 12, 2019 | 8:27 am

#723

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 25,562

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

the only exception is when the flight has been precleared.

Or, for certain airports, if the passenger is making an international-to-international connection -- so be careful if trying to do HCT on a ticket through to another country.

Also, there was a pilot program operating this summer at IAD that sent connecting bags from certain flights through customs without having them reclaimed first. It's not currently operating, but it could be reintroduced at any time.

Dec 12, 2019 | 9:35 am

#724

nomad420

Join Date: Jul 2015

Location: San Francisco

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Posts: 3,898

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

Or, for certain airports, if the passenger is making an international-to-international connection -- so be careful if trying to do HCT on a ticket through to another country..

In the US I believe currently there are now zero "transient" areas for International to international connections unless MIA still has one. But I agree be very careful about a HCT through to another country if traveling abroad. Personally I wouldn't risk it but I am sure some have and gotten away with it.

Dec 12, 2019 | 9:57 am

#725

Colin

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check bags on NZ's "direct" flights between AKL & LHR remain on the plane at LAX, though can't imagine the distance of those flights would ever present a hidden-city opportunity

can't logically see any reason why LIR-MIA-SXM (for instance) with checked luggage would present any hidden-city problem at MIA

some people are just worried at complexity i suppose, but are unable to articulate the precise potential problem

Dec 12, 2019 | 10:14 am

#726

jsloan

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Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 25,562

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad420

You're correct that there aren't any sterile transit areas, but that doesn't change the fact that if you use certain airports for I-I transit, you will not see your bags. IAH is one of them; I know there are others, but I'm not sure what the complete list is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

can't logically see any reason why LIR-MIA-SXM (for instance) with checked luggage would present any hidden-city problem at MIA

I just checked, and MIA is another airport with this service. Their website says to check with your air carrier to see if bags will be checked through to their final destination or if you have to pick them up at MIA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

some people are just worried at complexity i suppose, but are unable to articulate the precise potential problem

I believe I have articulated the potential problem precisely.

Dec 12, 2019 | 10:59 am

#727

Colin

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thanks for making me aware of international-to-international checked bags bypassing customs at some US airports, though i can't quickly find documentation of this process based upon a very fast search.

of course there is a way to 100% avoid any risk on a smokin' intl-to-intl hidden-city fare - a 23 hour layover.

intl-to-intl offers some killer savings on J cabin fares between Mexico and Canada. while i never check bags & thus it wouldn't ever affect me, i disagree with the advice to needlessly miss-out on these fares.