Flights?

Bodders11

I have previously been posting on the Planning USA Trip thread. My flight time was changed so I have requested/been given a refund.

Looking to book a new flight, I can fly Dublin to London to Vegas on 13th September and returning from LAX to London for 486 on 1st October. If I add on Dublin as a returning point the price drops over £100. I would want to end my trip in London. Can I book the Dublin option, save £100+ and simply not get on the connecting flight?

We already have a flight to Dublin so will definitely start our trip there and fly out on 13th September.

Thanks in advance.

Bodders11

Having initially got excited and not considered this fully, I realise I would face issues with my checked baggage so not feasible it would appear.

SW17

Assuming your LAX-London flight arrives into LHR, if you can book the LON-DUB sector from LGW or LCY and still get the lower price, you will have no problem with your baggage. They cannot check it through to Dublin from LAX if you have a change of airport, you can simply collect it at LHR and leave the airport.

Don't know which airline you are looking at. This is known as "hidden city ticketing" and there is a very small risk that the airline might follow up with you, but there are no reported cases that I know of where individuals have been pursued by airlines in the UK for the extra fare (travel agencies, yes, but not individuals, yet). If it is something you do as a one-off and you don't have a frequent flyer account of any significance with the airline concerned, your risk is minimal.

Bodders11

Thanks for the suggestion SW17.


Having looked at that approach, it still works out considerably cheaper. My flights would look as follows:


12th September Southampton to Dublin (booked separately)


13th September - 07.35 - 09.05 Dublin to London Gatwick
- 10.30 - 13.15 London Gatwick to Las Vegas


1st October - 20.55 - 15.10 (+1) Los Angeles to London Heathrow


3rd October - 10.10 - 11.25 London Gatwick to Dublin (I would not board this flight and collect baggage at Heathrow).


The price is £404.00. Alternatively, without this approach and additional flight the price is £485.00.


Decisions, decisions.

richardw

Over on the flyertalk website forums there is speculation that the airlines will take action against passengers who don't fly the last sector of their itineraries. They could ask you for the money and if you didn't pay, they may take it further, it could be more than just closing your frequent flyer account.

You may consider picking the LGW-DUB sector for a slightly later day trip to DUB with a return DUB-LON/SOU in the evening.

SW17

richardw wrote: »

Over on the flyertalk website forums there is speculation that the airlines will take action against passengers who don't fly the last sector of their itineraries. They could ask you for the money and if you didn't pay, they may take it further, it could be more than just closing your frequent flyer account.

You may consider picking the LGW-DUB sector for a slightly later day trip to DUB with a return DUB-LON/SOU in the evening.

And speculation is all it is, there remains zero evidence of it happening in the UK. While nothing of this kind is zero risk, I would view the chances of them starting to take individual consumers to court over £80 as extremely low for the foreseeable future. There are many softer targets to address first (travel agencies and frequent flyer accounts) that would not attract negative publicity. Airlines know the media will have a field day with Rip-Off Britain headlines when they try to explain in court why Dublin-London-wherever is much cheaper than London-wherever, regardless of the realities of market pricing.

When I fly such routes, I fly all the sectors, but for the OP, I don't think they have much risk here as a one-off.

peachyprice

Bodders11 wrote: »

The price is £404.00. Alternatively, without this approach and additional flight the price is £485.00.


Decisions, decisions.

Have you factored in the hotel in Dublin too?

I have to say, for £85 it just wouldn't be worth the hassle for me.

Kernow666

peachyprice wrote: »

Have you factored in the hotel in Dublin too?

I have to say, for £85 it just wouldn't be worth the hassle for me.

at least someone is on the ball

richardw

SW17 wrote: »

..Airlines know the media will have a field day with Rip-Off Britain headlines when they try to explain in court why Dublin-London-wherever is much cheaper than London-wherever, regardless of the realities of market pricing...

They'd be no 'field day'. There wasn't one about Mr Huzar winning against Jet2 in the Supreme Court.

Bodders11

Why would I need to factor in hotel cost at Dublin? I would depart London and return home, not actually taking the final flight to Dublin. Therefore, as I said, I would be £80+ better off. So I would like to think I am on the ball, Kernow.

lady1964

Bodders11 wrote: »

Why would I need to factor in hotel cost at Dublin? I would depart London and return home, not actually taking the final flight to Dublin. Therefore, as I said, I would be £80+ better off. So I would like to think I am on the ball, Kernow.

Your post a little upthread says you go Southampton to Dublin on 12th September with your flight from Dublin to Gatwick departing on 13h September. Are you staying wth relatives in Dublin on the 12/9?