So what if I don't get on the second leg of my flight

[disneynewman]

Okay,
If I book a flight MHT-MCO, it's coming up at $157 BUT I can book MHT-FLL connecting through MCO for $121! So if I could manage to pack just a carry on size for everyone, what will happen if we just don't get on that second leg?

 

[CarrieR]

Flying what airline?

It seems that you've noted the first pitfall; you can't check baggage. If you are okay with that, that's one major hurdle avoided.

This is called "hidden city ticketing." Southwest is (I believe) the only airline that allows this. On other airlines, your penalties can range from having your return leg cancelled (likely) to having your frequent flier account zeroed out and cancelled to, in theory, being charged the "correct" price. I've never heard of the last happening, but others here might have.

IF you are going to do this, (a) carry on ONLY, (b) book one-way, not round-trip, (c) make sure you're not banking on any frequent flier miles/status/whatever, (d) let the gate agent know that you won't be boarding your connection, so that they don't page all over the airport looking for you.

Others will likely have additional feedback, and I am interested to hear it!

 

[disneynewman]

yes, we are flying SW. No frequent flyer miles. Funny enough, we are going to FLL after our disney trip to see my inlaws and I have already booked our return flight home from there, so it will be 2 different reservations.

 

[DebbieB]

One issue might be if they cancel or delay your flight for weather or maintenance and want to reroute you through a different city to get you to FLL. For example, one time I was flying PIT-PHL-JAX. PIT-PHL was delayed so they rebooked me PIT-CLT-JAX.

 

[mcraige]

I did something similar one time for business. Actually, I had a stop-over, and the 2nd leg of my trip was cancelled and they put everyone on a bus. I decided to catch a different flight closer to my destination and drive. They went ahead and cancelled my return flight (unbeknownst to me). Luckily, when I arrived at the airport, they fixed it for me.

 

[eeyoreforever]

I've been wondering this same thing. Also on SW, I have that same situation. I can book a flight coming home that has a stop in my airport cheaper than I can fly directly to my airport. I didn't know what would happen if we did that. I thought I had heard before it was against the law because of security reasons. I was thinking after 9-11 there was something about it? I guess the theory being that if a terrorist were to plant something on the plane and then get off at some intermediate stop?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

This is a big no-no in airline travel and is heavily frowned upon. Granted, in your case, the penalities are probably nill, but this is not a recommended travel intinerary.

 

[seashoreCM]

I did something similar one time for business. Actually, I had a stop-over, and the 2nd leg of my trip was cancelled and they put everyone on a bus. I decided to catch a different flight closer to my destination and drive. They went ahead and cancelled my return flight (unbeknownst to me). Luckily, when I arrived at the airport, they fixed it for me.

Next time have them print out your complete remaining itinerary after you made the change to a different flight (or requested a refund for the cancelled leg).

 

[PatMcDuck]

I did this on my return leg from Disneyland in August, John Wayne airport (SNA) to Philly (PHL). It stopped in Newark (EWR), and I just went home from Newark. It saved me over $250 on just one ticket. What I mean is, to book the exact same flight, nonstop SNA to EWR was $250 more than SNA to PHL connecting in EWR.

I had to ship home most of my stuff, but that was still way less than $250! I was nervous, but did it anyway. It was my return leg so I was not really worried. Worst case, if I was re-routed, I could have gone home from PHL too.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If this is a one way ticket or if you were coming home from MCO, there would be no problem. However, since this is your flight to MCO and I'm assuming this is a RT ticket, your return flight will be cancelled.

I thought I had heard before it was against the law because of security reasons.

No.

 

[deegack]

It can also delay the continuing flight because if they are suppose to have 137 passengers and have 134 they have to figure out what happened.

 

[disneynewman]

Thanks for all your replies...luckily persistence paid off and last night I was able to book the flight from MHT - MCO for $130, still a bit more than the FLL ticket but now we can just fly to MCO with no worries

Now if I could just find a good deal on a rental car....

 

[Day-Day]

Thanks for all your replies...luckily persistence paid off and last night I was able to book the flight from MHT - MCO for $130, still a bit more than the FLL ticket but now we can just fly to MCO with no worries

Now if I could just find a good deal on a rental car....

$9 for no worries.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It can also delay the continuing flight because if they are suppose to have 137 passengers and have 134 they have to figure out what happened.

No, the airline is not your parent. If you miss a flight, they don't delay the plane looking for you!

 

[Lewisc]

Southwest doesn't have a rule against "hidden city" bookings. Until recently it was explicitly allowed.

lost*in*cyberspace--They will page a missing through passenger. Southwest might normally "push back" a few minutes early if all passengers with BPs have boarded. They might wait until the scheduled time if those through passengers haven't boarded. That's why it's polite to let the FAs know you won't be taking the next leg.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That's why it's polite to let the FAs know you won't be taking the next leg.

I wouldn't waste my time. Plus, this would only work if you did not have to change planes. If you are changing planes, then you couldn't do this anyway.

 

[deegack]

No, the airline is not your parent. If you miss a flight, they don't delay the plane looking for you!

It's a security issue. If you have checked luggage and dont show up at the plane they will pull your luggage off. So they have to figure out who is missing, if they checked luggage and if yes then find the luggage and get it off the plane.
I have sat on plane ten minutes after pushback time because someone was missing and they wouldn't leave until they figured it all out. Turned out the guy was at the bar. People were not happy when he showed up on the plane.