Booking Return Flight but only using One way flight as cheaper

[lindyb]

Hi,

I am looking at booking a return flight, as it's cheaper than a one way flight and then just not showing up (or ringing to cancel) for the return leg.

Has anybody done this and then found they were charged the higher fare on their credit card after not turning up for the return leg?

Thanks

 

[hummel]

Hi,

I am looking at booking a return flight, as it's cheaper than a one way flight and then just not showing up (or ringing to cancel) for the return leg.

Has anybody done this and then found they were charged the higher fare on their credit card after not turning up for the return leg?

Thanks

Booked FCO-BSL-FCO in July last year for the lady and I. Flew the FC0-BSL sector and obviously didn't fly the return. No phone calls, no emails etc

Just don't check in for the return flight.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Main thread here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-airways-one-way-flight-46978.html#post751168

Train is a far better option. Less walking - less hassle

 

[eosphoros]

I do this all the time for intra-europe flights. No problems ever.

Sometimes you can also try getting a ticket with a stopover at the port you want to arrive at: ticket A-B-C-A, but only use the A-B segment.

 

[Hvr]

Never heard of it being a problem, however, why not have the return leg showing at the latest date possible. That way if by some chance you're in a position to use it then it might still be available.

 

[elvee]

A few tips for this:
- consider utilising a cheaper fare component for the unused return leg of the trip, eg. if you're travelling CDG-FLR at a return fare of say $250+tax, book the return leg at MXP-CDG as the return fare to MIL is cheaper, eg $150+tax. The total return journey is therefore a 'half level' of $200+tax.
- request a refund of unused taxes for the return leg. Although there will be no fare refund since the one way journey would have been higher priced, the airlines are required to provide you with unused taxes for the return journey.

 

[mannej]

A few tips for this:
- consider utilising a cheaper fare component for the unused return leg of the trip, eg. if you're travelling CDG-FLR at a return fare of say $250+tax, book the return leg at MXP-CDG as the return fare to MIL is cheaper, eg $150+tax. The total return journey is therefore a 'half level' of $200+tax.
- request a refund of unused taxes for the return leg. Although there will be no fare refund since the one way journey would have been higher priced, the airlines are required to provide you with unused taxes for the return journey.

If doing this, could the airline not turn around and readjust the fare into one way pricing seeing that the second leg was never flown?

 

[serfty]

If doing this, could the airline not turn around and readjust the fare into one way pricing seeing that the second leg was never flown?

They reserve the right to do so, but such enforcement is really a legacy of 20th century where they would hit the passenger's travel agent with an "Additional Collection" notice - the agent would then chase you.

 

[elvee]

If doing this, could the airline not turn around and readjust the fare into one way pricing seeing that the second leg was never flown?

As per Serfty above. Booking through an agent will mean they'll have to chase you, although the agent is generally able to dispute and reverse the charge by saying that the intention was always to travel the return journey, should it not have been for some terrible unforeseen event ......