Can you use only one leg of an airline ticket without penalty or problems?

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There you are

This is called "hidden city" ticketing.

The airlines concider it a break of the agreement you made when you bought the ticket.

If you do this:

1.) do not check luggage (because it's going on to the next stop, and nothing you can do to stop it)

2.) any remaining part of your ticket is now worthless, you can not get any money back on it or fly on it.

Random Precision

Yes you can do that. You must not check your luggage (of course) and it must be the first leg of the trip. You cannot get a boarding pass if you try to start in between trip segments.

Wundt

If you have no checked luggage you shouldn't have a problem. Who will stop you from leaving the airport?

JEAN H

are you believe in god?

Erin B

NO!!!! Really it depends. Is it a round trip? If is a round trip than you cannot. If you take the first flight but not the second, they will cancel your ticket out and you will have to purchase a new one to get home!

m d

You can do that, but if you 'miss' your next leg you don't get a refund. and have to pay full price for the next ticket.

Oh and there goes your bags, they'll keep going to the final destination.

tamarack58

Yes you can. No problem or penalties. It's done all the time because many times a round trip ticket is cheaper then a one way. So people will buy the round trip but only use half of it.

tromanh

I don't know what you would do about your bags because they get automatically moved from plane to plane but just don't get on the next flight. If the next flight is over booked you may even be able to give up your seat and get something from the airline.

m_c_m_a_n

It's your ticket and you can throw it in the trash if you want. In fact, by you not using the second leg the airline can make even more money selling that seat to a standby passenger.

Bill

As long as you have no checked luggage, you're all set. Make sure you don't have any other flights reserved with that airline at the time, though...they might give you static or cancel reservations.

I am a fan of the "buy a round ticket and don't fly back" maneuver when I need to fly one way somewhere...it's amazing how round trips are often cheaper than a one-way.

Quarter Midget Mom

Sure. They can't force you to get on the plane again! If you know in advance you aren't continuing, you will want them to know so your luggage stays where you do. Normally it's checked through to your final destination.

Check with the airline as to the terms of your ticket. You may be able to reschedule the remainder of your trip for a small fee at a later time (usually w/in 1 year.)

John M

if its one way you can do it without a hitch. if you intend to return home on a round trip, you'll need to notify the airline or they will give up your seat to someone else at the original departure location. in other words, you won't have a seat anymore for the return flight home if you don't board ontime at the original departure airport for the return flight.

but a phone call to the airline can reserve that seat for you, they just need to know you won't be on the initial leg of the return trip

Michelle

Hmm good question. I am sure people have done it many times. So, I don't think so. However on your return flight you might get a little hassle by security for not doing what you intended.

Fatty

dont see why not. I too have noticed that tickets are sometimes cheaper at the stop points. its your choice to get on the next plane or not. they cant force it on you. if anything, maybe someone flying standby will get to fly in your spot. Just tell the stewardess on the way out that you wont be coming back.

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