If I buy an airplane ticket to X that leaves from Y but switches planes at Z can I just get on at Z?

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Mr. T's Pretty Cuzzin

K.P., you can NOT do this. Whenever you no-show any flight leg on a ticketed flight itinerary, the airline automatically cancels the rest of it. So when you show up in Raleigh, they will have already cancelled you, and then you'll be stuck with paying the ticket change fee ($200?) + any increase in airfare, and last-minute transatlantic is quite expensive.

Instead, for this itinerary, you're better off trying a lot of airfare consolidators to see if you can get that RDU-LGW nonstop on American Airlines for less. There are some at http://www.bookingbuddy.com but also try these: Flights.com, Airdeals.com, Economytravel.com, and Justfares.com.

johnsredgloves

No, if you buy a ticket from D.C. to London with a change of planes in Raleigh, you'd have to check in in D.C. If you try to check in at Raleigh, it will show a cancelled reservation, since you didn't take your flight in D.C.

Mike R

Unfortunately you can't do it. If you don't show up for the first leg of your flight, then they will cancel the rest of your itinerary and not give you a refund. You can always call the airline - I assume it's American Airlines - and ask but I think it's just because of the route, there's much more competition on the DC-London route so it's cheaper, even though it seems ridiculous that you're going through Raleigh.... Also it may cost you more than $300 (or close to it) to drive to DC so even though you're saving money in cheaper airfare, you might not be saving much in the long run. Plus factor in the time and inconvenience.

worldsowide

You really need to talk to the airline about this. Yes, it is against the rules to purposely buy a ticket like that to get the cheaper fare but have no intentions of using the last leg. If you don't board at the place your ticket leaves from your reservation is likely to be cancelled and you will most likely be denied boarding in Raleigh. Also on the return, if you get off at Raleigh, your luggage won't. Even if you only bring carry-on luggage when the flight staff notices your seat is empty (they count to be sure they have the number of passengers they are supposed to) this will cause a security concern that can get you in much more trouble and delay the flight for others.

potatochip

No you cannot otherwise a lot of people would be doing that here in Cincinnati. Cincinnati was said to have the highest airfares in the country because Delta and its subsidiary Comair control over 90% of all flights. People will drive 2-3 hours out of Cincinnati just to get a cheaper ticket only to connect in Cincinnati just to reach their final destination.

If you do not show up for your first leg of the flight, you just gave up your seat and the airlines would give it to someone else who was on stand-by.

I have had people who would on their return trip get off at Raleigh from London and not get back on the plane to D.C. You can try to pull that off if you can get a ride to D.C. from someone. But I hear the airlines frown upon doing that.

Servette

talk to the airline. they may help you on this

yes i completely agree with you.

rob1977nc

^^To averagebear's question: Yes you can fly direct from Raleigh-Durham to London, usually via American Airlines. It's not to Heathrow though, it's to London's Gatwick airport, which is a little further from the city center than Heathrow is, but has an express train route into Victoria Station.

Back to the original question-- this seems very odd (and suspicious) to say the least. I'd check fares daily if you can...they seem to be changing by the minute!
But RDU to London isn't always the cheapest route...I found it sometimes (depending on season) to be cheaper to fly to NY or Boston first, then transfer. Longer trip though.

JitaX51

You can do that. Aircraft routes will have checkin for Raleigh to London on your throughload flight. bags will get checked everything. all they will do is say.."this ticket is for XtoYtoZ why are you getting on at Y" and youll reply that you wanted to. and thats that. bags will be processed cekcin processed you processed and you just saved 300 bucks.

phlflyers1

Look on www.yapta.com...download it, and it will notify you when there is a fare change. Then you can talk to the airline for any refunds they may owe you. Most of the time, they will only match the fare if it exceeds $100 difference or more.

averagebear

Are you sure? I don't think there is a RDU-LHR nonstop. I thought all transatlantic flights out of Raleigh go somewhere else (DC, NY, Boston, etc.) first.
In addition to what the previous answerers have said (your entire reservation being cancelled if you don't take the first leg), you also have to be careful with international flights the security is high. What you are doing will raise suspicion.

El Alguilar

This is because of load factor, it is high between DC and London so on economics of scale it is cheaper to fly from DC to London and return. And in the airline mileage/fare system it has been programmed as such. I suggest you fly the route if you want to save that $300.

tljohnson6

don't talk to the airline because it is against their rules... They frown on this.

You can do this but it is not 'kosher'. You will have to only take a carry-on because if your bags are checked in they will fly to DC.

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