Southwest - skipping connection?

[mikehn]

Wondering whether anyone has recently flown SW and skipped a connection and whether there were any repercussions? I know its a no no. Just asking. Thanks

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

your return ticket will be canceled

 

[mikehn]

thanks, what if you dont have a return ticket? any other issues?

 

[disneyfantotheend]

How would you skip a connection and still get to where you need to be? Probably a dumb question with a very logical answer, but I don't get it.

 

[supersnoop]

This is called "hidden city" ticketing. Sometimes a flight from MCO to ORD is cheaper than MCO to DAL, even though the longer flight connects through DAL. So, you'd save money by paying for an extra segment. This scenario is rare on Southwest. In the past, they've specifically allowed it. Recently, you might not earn points if you don't complete your trip.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you are flying one way, say IAD-JFK-BOS and you get off at JFK and do not continue on the flight to BOS, nothing will happen, although you aren't supposed to do this. Of course, you cannot have any checked bags. If you're on Southwest and aren't changing planes for the second leg, they tell you not to get off. However, they can't stop you from doing so.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I did it once, on a return from SNA (John Wayne) in California. The flight to PHL stopped in Newark, NJ, then I had to switch planes to a small little one to hop to PHL. Well, it was better for me, to get off in Newark and go home from there, and that tiny plane flight made me nervous as well. But, that same flight from SNA to Newark, was $200 more. Very weird, I only noticed it myself by accident, because I do fly out of both Newark and PHL.

I actually ship home most of my stuff, so I only had a carry on going back. Even with that cost, I saved over $150. I guess I understand that the airlines hate this, but I could not really seem any harm in it?

Thinking on this further, I think it was not SW, but Continental/United.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

your return ticket will be canceled

Actually I "think" SW is the ONE airline where that won't happen. It will on anyone else

I did it once, on a return from SNA (John Wayne) in California. The flight to PHL stopped in Newark, NJ, then I had to switch planes to a small little one to hop to PHL. Well, it was better for me, to get off in Newark and go home from there, and that tiny plane flight made me nervous as well. But, that same flight from SNA to Newark, was $200 more. Very weird, I only noticed it myself by accident, because I do fly out of both Newark and PHL.

I actually ship home most of my stuff, so I only had a carry on going back. Even with that cost, I saved over $150. I guess I understand that the airlines hate this, but I could not really seem any harm in it?

Thinking on this further, I think it was not SW, but Continental/United.

Here's the deal. Do it once you are fine. Do it once a week and expect a bill. So for example, you were a business traveler flying SNA to Newark weekly but you bought that ticket to PHL to "save the $200" Once they catch on they bill!

 

[mikehn]

thanks for all the comments. These anomalies are actually common on southwest. I've just never tied it. I doubt that I ever would try it since I almost always check a bag

 

[nkereina]

I did this back in June on Southwest and had no issue. I got off in the connection city because it was cheaper to book it that way. It was a one way ticket. You can't do it the opposite way, however, where you would get on at the connection city after not boarding in the originating city. If you don't board in the city where the ticket originates, it will cancel the remaining flight segments.

I was warned by a TA that if I do this often, you get blacklisted somehow since it's not supposed to be allowed. I don't know if that's true or how it's tracked.

 

[kamik86]

I did this back in June on Southwest and had no issue. I got off in the connection city because it was cheaper to book it that way. It was a one way ticket. You can't do it the opposite way, however, where you would get on at the connection city after not boarding in the originating city. If you don't board in the city where the ticket originates, it will cancel the remaining flight segments.

I was warned by a TA that if I do this often, you get blacklisted somehow since it's not supposed to be allowed. I don't know if that's true or how it's tracked.

It would have to be pretty often in order for it to be a huge issue I would think. I know of several people who have done this not on purpose. For example my work has an office in southern GA, they fly out of Jacksonville. They like to fly Delta because if the last leg gets cancelled or they are late they can just take a rental car and drive the last bit home.

 

[mikehn]

I book all my SW flights through my rapid rewards account so Im sure they will track me down. But yeah, SW has several itineraries where you can save a bundle if you can exploit this loophole.

 

[richmo]

I did it once, on a return from SNA (John Wayne) in California. The flight to PHL stopped in Newark, NJ, then I had to switch planes to a small little one to hop to PHL. Well, it was better for me, to get off in Newark and go home from there, and that tiny plane flight made me nervous as well. But, that same flight from SNA to Newark, was $200 more. Very weird, I only noticed it myself by accident, because I do fly out of both Newark and PHL.

I actually ship home most of my stuff, so I only had a carry on going back. Even with that cost, I saved over $150. I guess I understand that the airlines hate this, but I could not really seem any harm in it?

Thinking on this further, I think it was not SW, but Continental/United.

I ran into a similar situation a couple years ago on Continental/United for a DCL cruise. A fare from Allentown PA to Seattle was about $158 roundtrip. The flight itself was from Newark (EWR) and they bus you between Allentown and EWR. I would have had no problems driving to EWR instead, but the fare for the same flight from EWR was over $400. With four of us, we put up with the hour long bus ride each way.