4 ms·

Two other caveats: Don't book a round-trip ticket like this, only one-way. The airline will usually cancel the return ticket if you skip part of the outgoing o

by mjn 11y ago

Two other caveats: Don't book a round-trip ticket like this, only one-way. The airline will usually cancel the return ticket if you skip part of the outgoing one. Don't book on an airline where you have frequent-flyer miles you want to keep. In the past few years they're cracking down more by cancelling the accounts of people who use booking tricks that violate their policy.

rndstr 11y ago
> The airline will usually cancel the return ticket if you skip part of the outgoing one. I recently did just that, buy a round-trip ticket with a stopover where on the way out I skipped the last leg. The return leg wasn't cancelled. I would've been furious if that happened, I paid for that and basically saved them money on the skipped leg.
- mjn 11y ago
  I'd guess you either got lucky then, or it didn't look suspicious to them (e.g. your first time doing it, or there wasn't a huge fare difference from the ticket you "should've" bought). It used to be easy to use this trick, but airlines much more often cancel itineraries if you skip a portion now, since the contract terms specifically ban "hidden-city ticketing" and "throwaway ticketing". Was a bit of a brouhaha a few years ago at flyertalk when it started happening. But of course airlines don't disclose what exactly triggers enforcement.
hospes 11y ago
You are right. This happened to me couple months ago, round trip flight from A->B was $1500, while round trip price from A->B->C was $900. I bought A->B->C round trip for $900, and used only A->B. When I was coming back from B->A, I found out that my booking number is invalid, I spoke to Lufthansa's representative and she said ticket is not actually canceled, it is locked, to unlock it I need to pay extra $600 to make up for difference in price. I said that I did not get any notice of cancellation or locking, I said it does not make any sense and I do not think it is legal, since I have purchased a service and had a ticket in my hand. Rep did not argue that it is irrational, but she said they won't unlock my ticket unless I pay. Basically they forced me to pay. After I payed my original booking number worked and seats remained the same, which affirms, that ticket was locked not canceled. I am wondering why airlines are allowed to cancel the ticket if you do not use one leg, why is it even legal? Now I am in the process of disputing charges with my bank on basis that they made me pay twice for the same service and canceled it without notification.

by mjn 11y ago

rndstr 11y ago

> The airline will usually cancel the return ticket if you skip part of the outgoing one. I recently did just that, buy a round-trip ticket with a stopover where on the way out I skipped the last leg. The return leg wasn't cancelled. I would've been furious if that happened, I paid for that and basically saved them money on the skipped leg.

mjn 11y ago
I'd guess you either got lucky then, or it didn't look suspicious to them (e.g. your first time doing it, or there wasn't a huge fare difference from the ticket you "should've" bought). It used to be easy to use this trick, but airlines much more often cancel itineraries if you skip a portion now, since the contract terms specifically ban "hidden-city ticketing" and "throwaway ticketing". Was a bit of a brouhaha a few years ago at flyertalk when it started happening. But of course airlines don't disclose what exactly triggers enforcement.

hospes 11y ago

You are right. This happened to me couple months ago, round trip flight from A->B was $1500, while round trip price from A->B->C was $900. I bought A->B->C round trip for $900, and used only A->B. When I was coming back from B->A, I found out that my booking number is invalid, I spoke to Lufthansa's representative and she said ticket is not actually canceled, it is locked, to unlock it I need to pay extra $600 to make up for difference in price. I said that I did not get any notice of cancellation or locking, I said it does not make any sense and I do not think it is legal, since I have purchased a service and had a ticket in my hand. Rep did not argue that it is irrational, but she said they won't unlock my ticket unless I pay. Basically they forced me to pay. After I payed my original booking number worked and seats remained the same, which affirms, that ticket was locked not canceled. I am wondering why airlines are allowed to cancel the ticket if you do not use one leg, why is it even legal? Now I am in the process of disputing charges with my bank on basis that they made me pay twice for the same service and canceled it without notification.