No-show vs cancel the flight when one-way ticket was twice as expensive
I bought a round-trip flight with KLM from Amsterdam to Toronto and already used the first part of the ticket to arrive to the destination. The ticket is not refundable. Now my plans have changed and I don't want to fly back.
I remember when I was buying the ticket, a one-way flight was twice as expensive. So I'm fine with not getting any refund back for the second half.
What would be the best thing to do?
If I cancel the ticket (there is a cancellation fee), will they charge me extra for the price difference of one-way ticket plus cancellation fee?
If I don't show up, are they going to charge extra for the price difference? In this case, is it better not to check-in?
Best Answer
Every flight has rules attached to it which sets out the conditions for the particular flight. You should have received it via email when you booked. You can otherwise request it from the airline.
For example, this is a Qatar flight to Johannesburg from Dublin (https://matrix.itasoftware.com/#view-rules:research=DUBJNB;solution=0fNXz2onl1MHLsrfQzptto8/Bsts6jTuULSSKwKdQlggJE00A;fare-key=0/0), it has the following penalties listed:
Category 16: Penalties
CANCELLATIONS
ANY TIME
CHARGE USD 85.00.
CHARGE USD 170.00 FOR NO-SHOW.
CHANGES
ANY TIME
CHANGES PERMITTED.
CHARGE USD 85.00 FOR NO-SHOW.
On the other hand, I had a ticket with Norwegian Airlines over the summer I didn't use and there wasn't a cancellation fee nor a no-show fee. It depends on the airline and the class of ticket sold.
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Is it better to cancel a flight or just not show up?
If you know you can't make a scheduled flight, it's better to cancel your flight rather than be a no-show. If you cancel, you might receive a partial or whole credit for the fare purchased, to be applied to a future flight.What happens if you buy a round trip ticket and only use one way?
Can I buy a roundtrip ticket for a one-way trip? Technically, you can buy a roundtrip ticket and only use it to go one-way, but airlines frown upon this. And, you can only skip the return flight. If you miss a segment of your trip, the airline may cancel the rest of your ticket without giving you a refund.Can airlines charge you for no show?
Re: No Show fee vs. cancelling? You do not need to cancel, and should not - just do not turn up, the airline will not charge you. Airlines routinely overbook flights as they know a % of people miss their flight/do not turn up, so the "courtesy to let them know" issue also does not arise.Can I get refund on no show ticket?
There will be an imposition of No Show charges if the ticket is not cancelled/ rescheduled within the stipulated time which means the ticket amount will be forfeited and only applicable taxes will be refunded.Is it better to cancel a flight or no show(miss a flight)| Should I cancel air ticket or miss flight
More answers regarding no-show vs cancel the flight when one-way ticket was twice as expensive
Answer 2
Either way you should try to recoup the taxes and fees. I think at least in Europe they're required to repay them for flights you don't use, since they're only paying them on your behalf if you actually take the flight.
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