Skipping return part of Delta flight

[Julylady]

We currently have round trip tickets for a Delta flight in October. We would now like to add two days to our trip. The added cost to our Delta flight would be $440 for the two of us (change fee plus more expensive flight).

I just checked Southwest and we can fly one way from Orlando to home for $104 each, so a total of $208.

What would happen if we flew down on Delta and then just failed to show up for our return flight? Am I crazy to consider this? Am I missing something?

 

[seashoreCM]

For most tickets the airline reserves the right to charge you the difference between what you paid and a one way ticket, if the one way ticket cost more.

If it is just this once, they might do nothing (but also refund nothing).

If you missed your return flight but showed up at the airport at a reasonable time thereafter, they may not charge you more although they are not obliged to honor the ticket.

If the flight was cancelled it is your choice to get a pro-rated refund and seek alternate travel means.

 

[sam_gordon]

We currently have round trip tickets for a Delta flight in October. We would now like to add two days to our trip. The added cost to our Delta flight would be $440 for the two of us (change fee plus more expensive flight).

I just checked Southwest and we can fly one way from Orlando to home for $104 each, so a total of $208.

What would happen if we flew down on Delta and then just failed to show up for our return flight? Am I crazy to consider this? Am I missing something?

I don't think you're missing anything.

 

[sam_gordon]

For most tickets the airline reserves the right to charge you the difference between what you paid and a one way ticket, if the one way ticket cost more.

If it is just this once, they might do nothing (but also refund nothing).

If you missed your return flight but showed up at the airport at a reasonable time thereafter, they may not charge you more although they are not obliged to honor the ticket.

If the flight was cancelled it is your choice to get a pro-rated refund and seek alternate travel means.

I don't understand what this has to do with the OP. If they miss their flight, Delta isn't going to charge them more.

 

[Julylady]

Thanks, Sam. I am not expecting any type of refund from Delta. Would I tell them in advance that I am not planning to use the return portion of the ticket? Or, just not check in and not show up?

It just surprised me that to make this change it was cheaper to buy a whole new ticket on Southwest. Southwest is new to our market so I am just learning about them.

 

[skelooch]

I would call them and cancel the flight, you will then at least have a certain amount of time to use the ticket, usually 1 year. You will have to pay the change fee when you rebook, maybe there will be a flight in the future for the same amount you originally paid or less.
Nothing ventured nothing lost. It doesn't cost anything to cancel a flight.

 

[MKFan-PR]

As PP said, you can call and cancel the return flight. You can do it after you've arrived (and used the inbound flight).

The airlines now usually price each segment flight separately, so what they would might do is give you a credit / voucher for the cost of that flight, minus a change fee. It used to be that a flight would have one cost if booked as a one-way ticket, and another (usually less) if it was part of a "round-trip" ticket, but I don't believe Delta does this. You can use the voucher for a later flight. But if you choose to leave it "as is", you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Julylady]

Thanks all. I appreciate the help!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Despite the warnings someone always posts when this question is asked on travel boards, nothing will happen if you don't use the return portion of your Delta ticket. You don't have to notify Delta, although if the return portion of the ticket costs more than $400.00, you might want to do so if you can use the credit you'll get for the amount over $400.00.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It doesn't cost anything to cancel a flight.

Yes, it does eventually does cost you in the change ticket fee, which in this case, is $400.00 or the cost of the flight, if the ticket is abandoned.

 

[skelooch]

Yes, it does eventually does cost you in the change ticket fee, which in this case, is $400.00 or the cost of the flight, if the ticket is abandoned.

If you read my post, you will see that I did say there would be a change fee if they rebooked that ticket for a future flight. If the future flight fare is the same or less than the original fare all you will have to pay is the change fee, which could be worth it.