How can I miss my connecting flight home?

Question

I am abroad right now on a round trip ticket from the US, so it's half used. The flight home connects from abroad to a US city, but plans have changed and I need to stay close to the connection city for a weekend meeting. I can't extend the layover thanks to the type of ticket I have (STA travel blue ticket) and I can't change the connection city to the one I need. My plan is to take the flight from here to the US, not show for the connection, and on a completely different ticket fly to my meeting city, then from there fly home. Also, I HAVE to check a bag, but I don't really know how customs works with a US connection (I have only had international connections home). Basically I'm going to need that bag back somehow at the connection city so I can catch my other flight out.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

As far as I remember, you have to claim your bags at the first airport you land at in the US and clear customs.  You then have go to a transfer desk and put your luggage back into the system.  This, at least, is how it works arriving at JFK in New York.  So, you should be OK.  Best to ask the airline how it works.

Answer 2

You may have a problem..because the airline will not check your luggage to only your connection point...they check it all the way through to your final destination. Are you traveling exclusively on one airline or are there multiple carriers?  If its one carrier...you might want to call them just to verify if you can or cannot change the ticket.  If you buy a ticket from a travel agency or online...the airlines are not suppose to change tickets prior to travel...but once travel has begun we can take a look at it and see if there is anyway to make the change( As long as the return is all on one airline).  It doesn't hurt to call and ask.  

Good luck!