Question for you FF-er's

[tbay13]

As I am NOT a frequent flyer, and haven't flown in over 5 years, can anyone answer this question: If I find a flight from Orlando to Cancun, with a stop in Atlanta, can I get on the flight in Atlanta WITHOUT getting on in Orlando?? It may sound crazy, but even though Atlanta is 5 hrs away from us, we will save $306 if we can by-pass Orlando. Yes, I've looked at flying OUT of Atlanta, but it is far more than Orlando. Nearest airport within reason is New Orleans or BTR, but $419 today as compared to $266 from the big O. Thanks for any help!


Playa Bound, 6/21 - 6/28

[DaveK]

If the US is the same as Canada your flight will be cancelled if you do not show up at the originating departure...since security in the US is even more then here I assume it is not possible.

In Canada one I wanted to get off a flight in Vancouver that was originally booked to Vancouver Island with a stop in Vancouver but they told me they would have to reissue a ticket and to get off earlier would cost me $500 more because the cost of flights were more now...only an airline could have that logic...charge you more to not get on a last flight :-)

[Sourcerer]

Originally Posted by tbay13

As I am NOT a frequent flyer, and haven't flown in over 5 years, can anyone answer this question: If I find a flight from Orlando to Cancun, with a stop in Atlanta, can I get on the flight in Atlanta WITHOUT getting on in Orlando?? It may sound crazy, but even though Atlanta is 5 hrs away from us, we will save $306 if we can by-pass Orlando. Yes, I've looked at flying OUT of Atlanta, but it is far more than Orlando. Nearest airport within reason is New Orleans or BTR, but $419 today as compared to $266 from the big O. Thanks for any help!


Playa Bound, 6/21 - 6/28

1) Not an official answer, but strong hearsay. As DaveK suggests, I have read in many places that airlines will cancel all subsequent legs of your itinerary if you are a no-show at the ticketed origin. This may be a security consideration. But it is also likely that the airlines want to discourage you from exploiting loopholes in their bizarre pricing schemes.

Besides, even if they didn't cancel your other flights what would you do about checked bags? On your return trip, you may skip boarding the 2nd leg from ATL to Orlando, but your luggage will not.

2) I really can't figure out where you live that New Orleans and BTR are most convenient, but you are looking at Orlando. Mississippi? Alabama? Florida panhandle? What about Memphis or Houston - both hubs with direct flights to CUN & CZM.

You might also try some of the Air Only searches on the charter services through funjet, apple vacations, etc.

[mfl*s queen]

I know American will not allow this.

[tbay13]

"Lower Alabama" !! Our airport (Mobile, AL) is the most outrageous of any in the area...New Orleans is only about 2 hrs away, Memphis is 6, and Houston about 6-7....have checked them all on Expedia, Orlando is the cheapest. Can park for free in Atlanta @ friends, so that's why my search is carrying me around the Southeast...Not going to drive to Orlando, which is about 7 hrs, but COULD get away with Atlanta if my 'scheme' could work out. I concur with you -- what kind of degree must one have in order to work for the airlines as a flight pricer?!?!? I sometimes feel like Batman and Robin, trying to decipher one of the Riddler's infamous "clues" when I am looking for this flight........the closer I am to Cancun, the more it costs me to fly there....hmmmmmmm.......HOLY PARACHUTES!

Originally Posted by Sourcerer

1) Not an official answer, but strong hearsay. As DaveK suggests, I have read in many places that airlines will cancel all subsequent legs of your itinerary if you are a no-show at the ticketed origin. This may be a security consideration. But it is also likely that the airlines want to discourage you from exploiting loopholes in their bizarre pricing schemes.

Besides, even if they didn't cancel your other flights what would you do about checked bags? On your return trip, you may skip boarding the 2nd leg from ATL to Orlando, but your luggage will not.

2) I really can't figure out where you live that New Orleans and BTR are most convenient, but you are looking at Orlando. Mississippi? Alabama? Florida panhandle? What about Memphis or Houston - both hubs with direct flights to CUN & CZM.

You might also try some of the Air Only searches on the charter services through funjet, apple vacations, etc.

[westy]

Originally Posted by tbay13

As I am NOT a frequent flyer, and haven't flown in over 5 years, can anyone answer this question: If I find a flight from Orlando to Cancun, with a stop in Atlanta, can I get on the flight in Atlanta WITHOUT getting on in Orlando?? It may sound crazy, but even though Atlanta is 5 hrs away from us, we will save $306 if we can by-pass Orlando. Yes, I've looked at flying OUT of Atlanta, but it is far more than Orlando. Nearest airport within reason is New Orleans or BTR, but $419 today as compared to $266 from the big O. Thanks for any help!


Playa Bound, 6/21 - 6/28

This type of ticketing is refered to as "hidden city". It is strictly forbidden by the airlines and travel agencies are faced with severe penalties if an airline catches them doing it . If you don't board the flight in Orlando (MCO) all remaing segments in the reservation will be canceled.

[hockeyman99]

Originally Posted by tbay13

"Lower Alabama" !! Our airport (Mobile, AL) is the most outrageous of any in the area...New Orleans is only about 2 hrs away, Memphis is 6, and Houston about 6-7....have checked them all on Expedia, Orlando is the cheapest. Can park for free in Atlanta @ friends, so that's why my search is carrying me around the Southeast...Not going to drive to Orlando, which is about 7 hrs, but COULD get away with Atlanta if my 'scheme' could work out. I concur with you -- what kind of degree must one have in order to work for the airlines as a flight pricer?!?!? I sometimes feel like Batman and Robin, trying to decipher one of the Riddler's infamous "clues" when I am looking for this flight........the closer I am to Cancun, the more it costs me to fly there....hmmmmmmm.......HOLY PARACHUTES!

I frequently have to fly to the Detroit area for business. It is sometimes cheaper for me, by as much as $500 cheaper, to fly to Flint than it is to fly to Detroit. A flight to Flint involves a layover in Detroit. Go figure. How a direct flight from Dallas to Detroit is $500 more expensive than it is to take TWO flights to get to Flint is beyond me, especially when the flight from Detroit to Flint (all of 12 minutes) is typically mostly empty.

[tbay13]

BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
OK, Plan "A" looks like a bust. .........unless, of course, there is an 'Alfred' out there lurking in his or her very own Bat Cave who may figure out a way to beat the system..???????? Must......not......give......up....HOLY HELICOPTERS!!

QUOTE=westy]This type of ticketing is refered to as "hidden city". It is strictly forbidden by the airlines and travel agencies are faced with severe penalties if an airline catches them doing it . If you don't board the flight in Orlando (MCO) all remaing segments in the reservation will be canceled.[/quote]

[Sourcerer]

Originally Posted by westy

This type of ticketing is refered to as "hidden city". It is strictly forbidden by the airlines and travel agencies are faced with severe penalties if an airline catches them doing it . If you don't board the flight in Orlando (MCO) all remaing segments in the reservation will be canceled.

I think that technically the "hidden city" trick involves getting off at the connecting city - not getting on and avoiding the originating city. But is in that same vein and that is what I put into Google for my initial search.

I heard a funny story involving this many years ago (an innocent age before super security ID and crazy ticket tricks were well known).

A salesman I worked with offered to make travel arrangements for his boss and himself. They were to fly from Philly to Atlanta. He reported to the boss he got the tix for half the normal price. Only two catches - no checked luggage and he had to have a passport because they were boarding a flight to the Bahamas.

I think I'd have found a way to stay on the plane.

[Sourcerer]

Originally Posted by tbay13

BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
OK, Plan "A" looks like a bust. .........unless, of course, there is an 'Alfred' out there lurking in his or her very own Bat Cave who may figure out a way to beat the system..???????? Must......not......give......up....HOLY HELICOPTERS!!

Well, if it was me I would pay $400 for two tix from a nearby less-crowded airport rather than suffer the 5 hour drive and mob scene in ATL.

But if you really have lots more time and patience than budget. . . .

Try Plan B Batman - try building your own connecting itinerary. Find the cheapest domestic flight destinations from all your reasonable airports (MOB, BTR, MSY, etc.). Then find the cheapest CUN/CZM flights (including charter) from those sites - even if it is not a natural airline connection.

Off course you could wind up with too many connections; travel all day; need a hotel, etc.

Search tools I find useful include Travelocity-Flights-Search by Budget and Kayak-Fare Buzz

Examples:
Yesterday there was a posting for Funjet San Antonio-CUN for $99 + tax. How cheaply can you get to SAT?

Spirit Air has $88 + tax RT specials FLL-CUN. Can you get to FLL?


Airports that seem to het good CUN fares include MSP, DFW, IAH, MIA, ATL.

Good luck.

[tbay13]

Mr. Sorceror, thank you mucho grande for the tips, and I HAVE been working on the same tactics as you mentioned.....NOTHING out of Mobile is cheap, (ever) so I will continue to peruse the net in search of this magical flight on the silver bird. In the meantime, while I have been doing my "research", the price of my original r/t from New Orleans has jumped from $409 pp to $439 pp......HOLY INFLATION!!! (must.....take.....deep......breaths........) I have the time....I have the patience...I have the budget.....you don't understand, I WANT TO BEAT THE SYSTEM!!

Playa Bound 6/21 - 6/28

Originally Posted by Sourcerer

Well, if it was me I would pay $400 for two tix from a nearby less-crowded airport rather than suffer the 5 hour drive and mob scene in ATL.

But if you really have lots more time and patience than budget. . . .

Try Plan B Batman - try building your own connecting itinerary. Find the cheapest domestic flight destinations from all your reasonable airports (MOB, BTR, MSY, etc.). Then find the cheapest CUN/CZM flights (including charter) from those sites - even if it is not a natural airline connection.

Off course you could wind up with too many connections; travel all day; need a hotel, etc.

Search tools I find useful include Travelocity-Flights-Search by Budget and Kayak-Fare Buzz

Examples:
Yesterday there was a posting for Funjet San Antonio-CUN for $99 + tax. How cheaply can you get to SAT?

Spirit Air has $88 + tax RT specials FLL-CUN. Can you get to FLL?


Airports that seem to het good CUN fares include MSP, DFW, IAH, MIA, ATL.

Good luck.