Strange Question-Rountrip Airfare Booked - Can I just use return flight?

[WeLoveThePoly]

OK, I have a strange question - - - >

Back in early December I bought 3 RT tickets on Delta for our trip in October. We'd leave Sat. 10/21 and return Sat. 10/28. They are not non-stop. I've been tracking the flight status for these flights on Delta's website and over the last week the Cincinnati>Orlando leg of our flight has been cancelled twice.

Cons: Not non-stop flights and the Indianapolis>Cincinnati leg is on a smaller plan (I'm a nervous flyer). And the frequent cancellations worry me.


Since I bought the tickets my DH has started a new job with flex hours and gets off work at 2:15pm on Fridays (I also work a flex schedule and get off work at noon on Fridays). I'd go get DD out of school early if I had too. Soooo ..... we could leave on an early afternoon flight on Friday if we wanted.

I checked with AirTran and they have a non-stop flight that leaves Indianapolis on Fri. 10/20 5:43pm and arrives at Orlando at 7:55pm.

So my question is - - - if I used AirTran for the trip down could I still use my return portion of my RT Delta ticket (stop in Atlanta, both larger planes)? Or if I don't show up for the first part of the ticket the other portion is cancelled?

Anyone know?

Maybe I could just go with AirTran for the whole trip. I only paid $535 for the Delta tickets and could use them for something else (before December).

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[DebbieB]

No, if you do not take the departure flight the return flight will automatically be cancelled.

One thing to be careful about - Air Tran frequently changes flight times.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

Debbie -

Thanks for the reply. I thought the return would be cancelled.

OK, that's good to know about AirTran too.

Debbie

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

What you are doing is strictly against Deltas contract of carriage. They more then likely could cancel plus they would have the right to charge you the one way charge for your flight. Sorry

3) Delta specifically prohibits the practices commonly known as:
A) Back to Back Ticketing - The issuance, purchase or usage of flight coupons from two or
more tickets issued at round trip fares, or the combination of two or more round trip
excursion fares end to end on the same ticket for the purpose of
circumventing minimum stay requirements.
B) Throwaway Ticketing - The issuance, purchase or usage of round excursion fares for
one way travel.
Where a ticket is invalidated as the result of the passenger's non-compliance with
any term or condition of sale, Delta has the right in its sole discretion to:
A) Cancel any remaining portion of the passenger's itinerary,
B) Confiscate unused flight coupons,
C) Refuse to board the passenger or check the passenger's baggage, or
D) Assess the passenger for the reasonable remaining value of the ticket, which shall be
no less than the difference between the fare actually paid and the lowest fare applicable to the passenger's actual itinerary.