KLM only taking the return leg of a flight

silvercar

adindas said:

Ssilvercar said:

adindas said:

oldernonethewiser said:

If you don't use the outward part of a return flight then the return is automatically cancelled.

p00hsticks said:

I can't comment on KLM in particular, but thought the general rule was that if you don't use the outbound leg then the return part is automatically cancelled, to prevent people taking advantage of the fact that in some cases buying a return from  A to B and back is cheaper than a single from B to A.

What about if you have paid for it and you do not bother to ask the money for outbound flight that you have paid back ?? You still have ticket/boarding pass for both legs that you could use though. Could you not use it ??

This circumstance is not uncommon, people might miss the flight and need to repurchase another ticket on the same day with another airlines to get to destination as planned.  In this particular case, could you still have inbound ticket, could you not use it ??

No, generally the return flight would be automatically cancelled when the outbound isn't taken. The exception is some low cost carriers who don't actually offer return flights but put both legs as a separate booking. 

Thanks.

In my view, it is not economically rational because the combined price of inbound + outbound flight will always be higher than Inbound flight alone within the same time frame.

The only exception I am aware of would be if they employ an unfair practice, taking advantage of people's  assuming that by not using the outbound flight, they can now profit by selling the seat to someone else. As mentioned earlier, there could be individuals in legitimate situations, such as missing their flight.

You aren’t allowing for different pricing depending on location at point of sale. USA-UK-USA is generally more expensive than UK-USA-UK. Also, some airlines (particularly in the USA) outlaw the practice of nesting flights. There anre also tax implications and flights are generally priced in the currency of the country of the first flight departure.

Caz3121

adindas said:

Thanks.

In my view, it is not economically rational because the combined price of inbound + outbound flight will always be higher than Inbound flight alone within the same time frame.

The only exception I am aware of would be if they employ an unfair practice, taking advantage of people's  assuming that by not using the outbound flight, they can now profit by selling the seat to someone else. As mentioned earlier, there could be individuals in legitimate situations, such as missing their flight.

whilst this statement may be true for low cost carriers...less so for 'traditional' airlines.

one way tickets can be more expensive than a return ticket
random search on LHR-AMS in Feb (5th-12th). Outbound plus return = £117
one way ticket for the same return leg = £119
there will be other examples that are more signifiant eg
JFK-AMS business class return 5th-12th Feb = £3,024
one way for same return leg = £3,936

oldernonethewiser

Interesting to read the KLM conditions, thanks for posting them.

I had a colleague who was planning to travel London - Paris return with his wife.  He ended up being in Edinburgh for a couple of days before and and decided to buy a single ticket from Edinburgh to Paris.

When he attempted to use the return portion (Paris - London) he discovered he no longer had a booking as he had been a no show for the outward leg.  Had to buy an expensive ticket to get home.

As an aside KLM customer service is the worst I have ever encountered.  I would walk rather than fly with them.