Changing baggage final destination - hidden-city ticketing
I found a very reasonable flight from MEM to HKG that goes through NRT for only $977. Most flights that go to NRT now from MEM are around $2000 these days. So, I was wondering if I took the MEM to HKG and HKG to MEM round-trip flight, then I could change my baggage final destination to NRT instead of HKG and leave the airport when I get to NRT. Once I leave Japan, I could check-in at NRT and then just use MEM as my final destination. Is that a successful itinerary? What issues would there be? This is on Delta.
Best Answer
Put simply, no, you can't do this - for multiple reasons.
Firstly lets ignore check luggage for a moment.
Any time you fail to board a flight, the airline will almost certainly cancel any subsequent flights on that ticket. So if you book MEM-NRT-HKG-NRT-MEM, then fail to board the NRT-HKG flight, then the remainder of your ticket - including the NRT-MEM segment - will be canceled and you'll be stuck in NRT. Thus even if you don't check bags what you're suggesting isn't going to work.
The second problem is going to be your checked luggage.
What you're referring to is "short-checking" of luggage, and we already have an answer on that topic over here, but in short most airlines now days will NOT let you do it as they presume you're planning not to take the connecting flight. This is particularly true for international flights, where you'll need to go through immigration to collect your bags - and the airline generally doesn't want you doing that on a flight connection due to the time it takes.
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Can I check baggage through to final destination different airlines?
The Basics. Good news first: in principle, it is possible to have your luggage checked through to your final destination, even if you have two separate tickets. But all airlines that are involved in your trip must have some kind of cooperation. There are various forms of agreements between airlines.Can I get my luggage checked to a layover city instead of final destination?
Finding Out at the Check-in CounterIf it says that it's heading to the layover destination, not the final one, then you'll get your checked luggage when you land at the layover destination. You can also ask the airline employee at the check-in desk to confirm its destination.Can you change the destination of a plane ticket?
If you want to change a ticket, you only have to pay the difference in fare. Refunds on canceled flights are given as a travel credit, which can typically be used within one year of the booking date. If you're looking for a same-day flight change, it will depend on the original ticket purchased.Is hidden city ticketing illegal?
Is hidden city ticketing legal? Hidden city ticketing is looked down upon in the travel industry but is not technically illegal \u2014 yet. You are free to use this method and there's no denying that Skiplagged features some amazing deals. If you decide to utilize hidden city ticketing, however, you do so at your own risk.Hidden City Ticketing: What is it? Is it safe? How do you use it?
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