Delta - tf Green - will they fill my DHs seat?

[newholiday]

DH is driving to FL, flying back w/us
MIL purchased him a roundtrip tick as it was cheaper than a 1way
What's the chances of his seat remaining open?
Do I need to tell them when DS & I check-in? If I dont will they announce his name over the loudspeaker?
Id like the extra room since we paid for it but

 

[GEM]

I'm really not an expert, so I'm certainly not the last word on this, but . . .

I asked a while back about doing this and I was told that if you don't show up for the first leg of your flight, you entire itenerary would be canceled. So, if that's true, he may not have a seat for the flight home.

Just something you might want to check on.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by newholiday
DH is driving to FL, flying back w/us
MIL purchased him a roundtrip tick as it was cheaper than a 1way
What's the chances of his seat remaining open?
Do I need to tell them when DS & I check-in? If I dont will they announce his name over the loudspeaker?
Id like the extra room since we paid for it but

This is actually illegal by the airlines, and yes it's true, if yourDH doesn't show up for the outbound flight, he will not be able to use the existint ticket to fly home, as the entire ticket will be cancelled. The airlines disallowed this, to keep business travelers from buying two roundtrip tickets and only using one leg from each. The business people would buy fares at leisure rates, and since they almost never have a Saturday night stay, two tickets was almost always cheaper than a one without the Saturday night stay. They also might give his seat away to either a walk-up person, someone standing standby, or just give it to another passenger if the flight was overbooked. So, you could still end up sitting next to someone, especially if it's a soldout flight. You're going to have to change the ticket to a one-way to enable him to fly home. You're also going to have to pay the penalty to change the ticket, so you might end up paying more now, than if you had just purchased a one way to begin with.

 

[SB in KY]

It is a little late now...but what you should have done is buy his RT ticket with the flight he would be taking as the first leg....i.e., YOU and DS are flying from home to Orlando and back to home...in order for him to use the ticket his should have been booked for Orlando - home and back to Orlando...that way he would be on the flight home with you all and when he didn't show up for the last leg there isn't anything the airlines could do (except resell his seat to a walk up)...

Better luck next time.

 

[ducklite]

SB in KY nailed it.

You're out of luck. If he isn't on the first leg, they'll cancel his ticket, and not offer a refund. And yes, they'll fill his seat. If you want extra room you must buy two seats, both in your name.

You have four choices...

1. Have him drive roundtrip. (And BTW, if he's driving a rental car one -way he's going to get hit with a couple tousand in charges for returning it four zones from where he picked it up--they only waive those charges during extreme emergenciessuch as after September 11th)

2. Call the airline now and ask them to change his itinerary to leave Florida on teh first leg of his ticket, and apply the value of the already purchased ticket towards it (might get you a few dollars)

3. Toss the first ticket and buy a new one, and eat your losses.

4. Make sure he has a good pair of walking shoes and knows how to stick out his thumb.

Anne

 

[pumpkinboy]

My advice would be to call the airline and tell them the situation, and see what you can do. I can't guarantee it, but I'd like to think that honesty is the best policy here. I have always found the Delta folks most accommodating.

Then again, another option might be to cancel the ticket and get credit with the airline (for your next trip perhaps) and have him fly a one-way back on SouthWest.

Good luck. Sounds sticky.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Originally posted by ducklite

1. Have him drive roundtrip. (And BTW, if he's driving a rental car one -way he's going to get hit with a couple tousand in charges for returning it four zones from where he picked it up--they only waive those charges during extreme emergenciessuch as after September 11th)

Some rental companies, National for one, specialize in one-way rentals. As long as you let them know when you book it that it is a one-way rental, you won't get hit with the big charges for returning at a different location than where you picked it up.

 

[CarolA]

His seat will be taken and the return trip cancelled. So he will be stuck in Florida. And as others have pointed out, the ticket is gone unless you are on SW. (They do cancel the flight plan, but will let you have the money for credit on a future flight!)

If you don't take the first portion of the flight the trip is cancelled!

I would rebook now. If a round trip is cheaper book from Florida to your home and back to Florida. Fly from Florida home and then throw the other half away.

 

[newholiday]

had DHs tick changed from roundtrip to one-way
cost of reissue $100 minus price change cost me $16
so glad i did this as the entire tick would have been cancelled
thank you

 

[pumpkinboy]

Wow, that $16 is cheap piece of mind, isn't it!

Well done. Good thing you thought of it an posted here, eh? I'm really glad it worked out for you, and that the folks at Delta got you all settled.