Questions about flying MDW-ATL-MCO-MDW

[time101]

I've got 2 related questions that I hope someone can help me with!

I would like to combine a trip to visit my parents in Atlanta with a trip to see the Mouse. I want to travel from Chicago-Midway to Atlanta, stay a few days in Atlanta, then fly from Atlanta to Orlando, spend a few days at WDW, and then fly from Orlando back to Midway.

Obviously, I can go through Orbitz, Expedia, etc. and do a multileg trip. However, can I book a round trip Midway-Orlando on Airtran, which always stops in Atlanta anyway, "miss" my flight from Atlanta to Orlando, stay a few days, then take another flight to Orlando without penalty? Or would I have to purchase the ticket, and then pay the $50 penalty to change flights?

Question #2: It just seems crazy to me that round trip from Midway-Orlando is $20 cheaper each way than Midway-Atlanta on Airtran, even though you stop in Atlanta anyway. Are there many who book round trip to Florida when they really just want to go to Atlanta, and then "ignore" the Florida portion of their ticket?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[time101]

Woo-hoo! I have become a DIS VETERAN!

 

[CarolA]

Don't just "miss" the flight and show up a few days late. There are several problems here. Airtran may very well (and probably will) cancel all flights after the missed one. You are now stuck in Atlanta. Your luggage will be checked to Orlando. If you don't get on the plane they are suppose to pull it off, but I have no idea what happens to it then or how you would ever get it back!

Have your tried booking one flight Midway to Atlanta and then Orlando to Midway? You could then purchase a one way Atlanta to Orlando. (I have done that kind of thing and it sometimes is cheaper!)

The airlines have caught on to the 'missing' flight issue and just cancel the remaining ticket which leaves you buying a FULL FARE ticket home! YUCK!!!!