Walking away from my connecting flight on a domestic [US] return journey. What are the consequences? [duplicate]
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Onward trip: PIT -> PHX -> SLC (AA) Return trip: SLC -> JFK/NYC -> PIT. (Delta) Can I just skip my NYC to PIT flight as I plan to be in NYC for the holidays? I don't care about being refunded for that component of the journey. No checked-in luggage.
How would TSA/Airlines react?
Also I am staying in the USA on a student visa (unaware how that impacts this case, but my ID proof for TSA is always my passport).
Best Answer
If you did this a lot, it's possible an airline might ban you from flying it, as this is called hidden city ticketing - fares are based on city pairs, not routes, so it's possible e.g. to fly NRT-YVR-SEA (Tokyo Narita-Vancouver-Seattle/Tacoma) for less money than NRT-YVR. Do it occasionally? Probably not a problem. Do it regularly? You may be invited to fly on another airline permanently.
You mention having no checked bags, but for the benefit of others, checked bags will go to the final destination.
Another warning point: if your flight gets cancelled or rescheduled, you may not end up passing through the city you want, as you booked passage from A to C, even though you bought A-B-C. The airline could fly you A-C directly, or A-D-C. (In my example above, you could get rebooked NRT-YYZ-SEA - Narita-Toronto Pearson-Seattle/Tacoma - and the airline would be within its rights.)
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Is there a penalty for missing a connecting flight?
If you miss a connecting flight, the rules are more relaxed and there typically won't be fees, as long as both legs of the journey were booked together as one ticket and itinerary. In these cases, the airline will book you on the next available flight.What happens if you do not take the second leg of a flight?
But by skipping a leg of a connecting flight, you're breaching the airline's Conditions of Carriage, which gives them the right to cancel all of your frequent flyer points and any other bonuses. It's the only REAL penalty that airlines sometimes (but still very rarely) enforce.Can I skip a return flight?
Can I skip my return leg on a roundtrip ticket? Yes, but don't make it a habit. Sometimes roundtrip tickets are much cheaper than one-way flights. You'll find this more often on international flights.Can I leave my connecting flight?
Re: Can I leave the airport during a layover? Yes you may, assuming your passport allows you visa free entry. Remember to take your boarding pass for your next flight with you otherwise you may not be able to re-enter airside.Do's and Don'ts in Connecting Flights | Points to Remember
More answers regarding walking away from my connecting flight on a domestic [US] return journey. What are the consequences? [duplicate]
Answer 2
This is not allowed and could lead to you losing your frequent flier miles or being banned from flying that airline. That said, you could probably get away with it once.
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