What happens if I intentionally miss my flight?

Question

I need to change the return flight. We'll call it Flight A. But it will cost a huge amount of money, AND it doesn't guarantee I'll get on the flight I need to make--I would be on standby.

It would be cheaper to book a flight (Flight B) on the date I need to return and intentionally MISS flight A.

Will the airline sic their henchmen on me? Fraud? What happens?!

Answer 1

Okay, let me make sure I understand.  I'll just plug in cities and airlines at random:

You bought Kansas City-Chicago-Boston and returning Boston-Chicago-Kansas City on American.  You want to return on a different day.  So you want to still fly KC-Chicago-Boston on your ticket from American, then trash the return ticket, and fly home Boston-Detroit-KC on Northwest.  Something like that?

Teeeechnically what you're doing there from American's point of view is using a round-trip ticket as a one-way.  If the one-way was more expensive (stupid, but it happens some times) they *could* come after you for the difference.  But in all likelihood they won't.  I mean, for all they know, maybe you aren't on the return flight because you got sick while in Boston, or even died.

For what it's worth, I've done it before.  Actually, mine was a little more risky.  I bought CDG-ZRH-BOM-ZRH-CDG on SwissAir, but on the way back I skipped the only ZRH-CDG flight, thus turning a round-trip into an open-jaw.

Answer 2

you should be able to fly standby on the next available flight. i did this in san diego a month ago cause i didnt want to go home.

Answer 3

nah, unless you intentionally miss that flight to try and get them to change your ticket for a different time there isn't a problem.  People miss their flights all the time no one really cares.  The people in standby will be very happy you missed your flight though! lol  As will the airline because they just sold one seat...twice.

Answer 4

Hi,

I am the CTO of vayama.com a major online travel agency.  Maybe I can help.

Ok, say you have a round trip flight booked:

BOS to MIA then

MIA to BOS

If you do not show up for the BOS to MIA flight, the entire itinerary will cancel.  You will not be able to utilize the MIA to BOS flight.

If you flight the BOS to MIA flight, you DO NOT HAVE  TO show up for the MIA to BOS leg.  You already paid, thus they dont really care.  You may even be able to apply the unused value of this leg (minus a lot of fees) to future travel.  Ask the airline about this.

So, in general you can purchase an alternative One Way return trip if its cheaper.  A lot of times buying a Round Trip is cheaper than OW, so people sometimes just throw away the return.

Good luck.

PS.  Airlines dont have henchmen...  Just lots of bad PR

Answer 5

if you intentionally miss your flight, the airline will not refund your money and you will loose your spot altogether. if you don't mind that, then you can schedule another flight, but this can be costly. this is just me, but i would call ahead and let whomever know you status and that you might be late.

Answer 6

If it works out cheaper for the one way then do the one way.  Most airline tickets are valid for one year, so all you need to do is cancel existing portion before the travel date on the ticket passes and use the credit the next time you travel with that particular airline. Check with your travel agent about the airline rules first before doing any thing.  And don't worry it's not fraud to purchase a new ticket on the flight that you want.

Answer 7

no, its ok.....airlines sometimes expect people not to show up at the airport...thats why they over book flights!!

so go ahead and do what your plan is...the airline cant force you to take their fliight!