change flight or forgo last leg of connecting flight?
Apr 3, 2016, 10:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
change flight or forgo last leg of connecting flight?
I am flying back thru a city where I need to be the next day. I thought to forgo my connecting leg and stay versus continue home only to return the next day.
I check the rates and its actually somewhat cheaper than my original fare but not $50 cheaper the fare the airlines typically charge to change a ticket.
Any thoughts.. should I risk just not continuing on and letting them know at the time so as not to hold the plane for me?
I check the rates and its actually somewhat cheaper than my original fare but not $50 cheaper the fare the airlines typically charge to change a ticket.
Any thoughts.. should I risk just not continuing on and letting them know at the time so as not to hold the plane for me?
Apr 3, 2016, 11:25 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,373
welcome to FT
(1) most change fees -- at least in the US -- are now closer to $200 than $50
(2) if you will be checking baggage, the airline will not short-check to the connecting airport (in other words, they will only check it all the way to your ticketed destination)
(3) in the event of IROPS (irregular operations -- weather, maintenance, etc), the airline is only obligated to reroute you to your ticketed destination, which may or may not be through the same connecting city
in any case, you should contact the airline by phone or in person at the connecting airport to let them know your plans have changed unexpectedly; that way they can at least put your seat on the last segment back into inventory
(1) most change fees -- at least in the US -- are now closer to $200 than $50
(2) if you will be checking baggage, the airline will not short-check to the connecting airport (in other words, they will only check it all the way to your ticketed destination)
(3) in the event of IROPS (irregular operations -- weather, maintenance, etc), the airline is only obligated to reroute you to your ticketed destination, which may or may not be through the same connecting city
in any case, you should contact the airline by phone or in person at the connecting airport to let them know your plans have changed unexpectedly; that way they can at least put your seat on the last segment back into inventory
Apr 3, 2016, 11:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I am flying back thru a city where I need to be the next day. I thought to forgo my connecting leg and stay versus continue home only to return the next day.
I check the rates and its actually somewhat cheaper than my original fare but not $50 cheaper the fare the airlines typically charge to change a ticket.
Any thoughts.. should I risk just not continuing on and letting them know at the time so as not to hold the plane for me?
I check the rates and its actually somewhat cheaper than my original fare but not $50 cheaper the fare the airlines typically charge to change a ticket.
Any thoughts.. should I risk just not continuing on and letting them know at the time so as not to hold the plane for me?
They will not be holding a plane for you under any circumstances so you don't need to let anyone know that you will be a no show for the last segment.
Apr 4, 2016, 7:15 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,041
1. Whenever this topic comes up (often!), people always warn about airlines refusing to short check baggage; while my data sample is not large enough to be of statiscal significance, I've never been denied this request
-that having been said, I don't recommend banking on a short check
2. Insofar as being rerouted via a different city is concerned, I was under the impression that passengers generally have the right to accept/deny new routings (perhaps this isn't a legal right, but we all have unique quicks when booking flights, and I see know reason why airline staff would want to press us on this)
3. NEVER announce hidden city aspirations to airline staff. Doing do could possibly compel an otherwise indifferent agent to elevate your case to ticketing (not because they want to, but because you've dropped an issue in their lap that they are obligated to follow up upon via preset protocol)
-that having been said, I don't recommend banking on a short check
2. Insofar as being rerouted via a different city is concerned, I was under the impression that passengers generally have the right to accept/deny new routings (perhaps this isn't a legal right, but we all have unique quicks when booking flights, and I see know reason why airline staff would want to press us on this)
3. NEVER announce hidden city aspirations to airline staff. Doing do could possibly compel an otherwise indifferent agent to elevate your case to ticketing (not because they want to, but because you've dropped an issue in their lap that they are obligated to follow up upon via preset protocol)
Apr 4, 2016, 10:07 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,669
It's not unusual for plans to change before a trip is over. Airlines know that.
If you change your plans and don't show up for the last segment of your trip, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
If you tell them that you are not taking the last segment of your flight, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
In the "unlikely" event the airline makes a change to your last segment, you can get a refund for that part if you haven't cancelled.
If you change your plans and don't show up for the last segment of your trip, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
If you tell them that you are not taking the last segment of your flight, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
In the "unlikely" event the airline makes a change to your last segment, you can get a refund for that part if you haven't cancelled.
Apr 4, 2016, 10:32 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
It's not unusual for plans to change before a trip is over. Airlines know that.
If you change your plans and don't show up for the last segment of your trip, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
If you tell them that you are not taking the last segment of your flight, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
In the "unlikely" event the airline makes a change to your last segment, you can get a refund for that part if you haven't cancelled.
If you change your plans and don't show up for the last segment of your trip, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
If you tell them that you are not taking the last segment of your flight, the airline will consider you a "no show" and leave without you. You get nothing back.
In the "unlikely" event the airline makes a change to your last segment, you can get a refund for that part if you haven't cancelled.
Can this topic please be a sticky??
Last edited by milepig; Apr 4, 2016 at 11:14 am
Apr 4, 2016, 10:46 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Here we go again...
1. If the flight you're skipping is the very last flight of you entire itinerary, go ahead, but you'll get nothing back
2. If it's not the last flight in your itinerary, the rest of the ticket will be ruthlessly cancelled, meaning you'll have to buy a new ticket
3. The probability that someone comes after you is extremely remote.
1. If the flight you're skipping is the very last flight of you entire itinerary, go ahead, but you'll get nothing back
2. If it's not the last flight in your itinerary, the rest of the ticket will be ruthlessly cancelled, meaning you'll have to buy a new ticket
3. The probability that someone comes after you is extremely remote.
Apr 23, 2023, 6:50 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 4
deleted
Last edited by SF_EU; Apr 26, 2023 at 3:13 am
Apr 26, 2023, 9:53 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 949
Here we go again...
1. If the flight you're skipping is the very last flight of you entire itinerary, go ahead, but you'll get nothing back
2. If it's not the last flight in your itinerary, the rest of the ticket will be ruthlessly cancelled, meaning you'll have to buy a new ticket
3. The probability that someone comes after you is extremely remote.
1. If the flight you're skipping is the very last flight of you entire itinerary, go ahead, but you'll get nothing back
2. If it's not the last flight in your itinerary, the rest of the ticket will be ruthlessly cancelled, meaning you'll have to buy a new ticket
3. The probability that someone comes after you is extremely remote.
Apr 26, 2023, 6:27 pm
#10
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
Thread arcane. No reason to keep it going
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator