Flying in Europe

[paulhennessy]

Hi All,
Please forgive if this is a dumb question but I am a newbie to this forum!! I am travelling with the family to Europe in July and need to fly from Amsterdam to Paris. Single fares seem to be double to three times the cost of a return flight. If I buy the return flight (eg from KLM) and do not turn up for the return leg (so only use it as a one way fare) are there any penalties for this?

 

[ejb_nz]

Hi All,
Please forgive if this is a dumb question but I am a newbie to this forum!! I am travelling with the family to Europe in July and need to fly from Amsterdam to Paris. Single fares seem to be double to three times the cost of a return flight. If I buy the return flight (eg from KLM) and do not turn up for the return leg (so only use it as a one way fare) are there any penalties for this?

Hi paulhennessy and welcome to AFF!

This has been discussed here many times and the overwelming opinion is that you will not normally be charged but they do have the option.

If you search the forums I am sure you will find some examples.

Enjoy your time here and I hope you pick up a few tips.

ejb

 

[kamchatsky]

Or you can catch the train instead:

Thalys: Your train between Paris, Brussels, Cologne, Amsterdam - Purchase, Online train tickets reservation

Sometimes they have pretty cheap offers! Especially if you buy 30 days in advance! I would recommend it actually!

Thalys:Fares - Amsterdam > Paris

 

[samh004]

I’d look at the T&C’s to see if they would charge you or not, however it has been asked a lot of times and the consensus is you should be fine, but have a little read to see what penalties may apply.

 

[kamchatsky]

If you are going to do it, then make sure your return flight is say a few days later, rather than on the same day, just in case they check your luggage all the way back to Amsterdam ......

Again, you should consider catching the train to Paris given the amount of time required to go to airport, checkin, then arrive in paris airport (CDG or OLY), get luggage, then get back to city. Sometimes you are better off on the train, unless you need air points or status credits.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Or you can catch the train instead:

Thalys: Your train between Paris, Brussels, Cologne, Amsterdam - Purchase, Online train tickets reservation

Sometimes they have pretty cheap offers! Especially if you buy 30 days in advance! I would recommend it actually!

Thalys:Fares - Amsterdam > Paris

Agree and that is what I am doing with the family in July, though in reverse. Paris to Amsterdam.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You'll be fine booking a return ticket and not using the second half of it.

If you feel worried about it just call the airline and tell them you have a cold and don't feel up to flying. They'll pretty quickly tell you that you have to forfeit your return ticket with no refund!

If you made a habit of missing the return sector AND you happened to put a frequent flyer number in the booking they might start to pick up on it. But with no FF number, and a one-off, you should be fine.

I agree to book a return a few days later. But even if you booked a same day return they wouldn't book your bags there and back.

Otherwise train is a good option. There are cheap deals even in 1st class (2nd class can be pretty tight seating wise and full of students and the like).

 

[Voyages]

Or you can catch the train instead:

Thalys: Your train between Paris, Brussels, Cologne, Amsterdam - Purchase, Online train tickets reservation

Sometimes they have pretty cheap offers! Especially if you buy 30 days in advance! I would recommend it actually!

Thalys:Fares - Amsterdam > Paris

+ 1

I did Amsterdam-Paris with Thalys once, a very pleasant trip for 20 euros (one of those special offers).

 

[kamchatsky]

You'll be fine booking a return ticket and not using the second half of it.

If you feel worried about it just call the airline and tell them you have a cold and don't feel up to flying. They'll pretty quickly tell you that you have to forfeit your return ticket with no refund!

If you made a habit of missing the return sector AND you happened to put a frequent flyer number in the booking they might start to pick up on it. But with no FF number, and a one-off, you should be fine.

I agree to book a return a few days later. But even if you booked a same day return they wouldn't book your bags there and back.

Otherwise train is a good option. There are cheap deals even in 1st class (2nd class can be pretty tight seating wise and full of students and the like).

Even with Comfort 1 (first class) sometimes they have really good specials for 55 Euros and that includes food. For Comfort 2 I actually find them more comfortable than catching economy flights, and I didn't really notice any noisy students etc.

If you haven't been to Bruges I also suggest you do a side trip there also!