Advice on unwanted first leg of return booking

[bobcat]

A mate of mine is in a slight pickle, having stuffed up and booked another flight for his partner.

State of play is this:
She will be on a flight ABC to DEF (one leg booking), but has a separate return booking for the same route starting the following day. The 2nd ABC to DEF seat she has no interest in using, but the DEF to ABC return flight is getting her back home.

What would everyone's advice be?
They're all great sale fares, so the $80 cancellation fee is in excess of the amount paid for the seat.
I presume no-showing for the 1st flight of the return booking would result in the entire booking being cancelled (at best), and having to book a new DEF to ABC flight would be in excess of $80

What's the best way to abandon the first leg?
Does anyone here have some thoughts?

I've heard of some people gifting/on-selling walk-on fares without changing the name, but this seems devious and a bad idea for anyone who values their points and/or status.

Cheers
BC

 

[bobcat]

Anyone with experience regarding the above - is VA likely to enforce the cancellation fee above cost of fare?

 

[AstroDamo]

Anyone with experience regarding the above - is VA likely to enforce the cancellation fee above cost of fare?

I booked BNE - PPP; PPP - BNE on a happy hour fare for $66 each way, needed to cancel BNE - PPP due to unforseen circumstances just rang them up they removed the leg no problem no additional cost.

 

[JohnK]

Anyone with experience regarding the above - is VA likely to enforce the cancellation fee above cost of fare?

Have you tried calling?

Domestic flights are one-way flights so it should be possible to cancel first leg.