Throwaway Return Flights

[sddsddean]

Return flight is cheaper than one way, so lots of people fly one way, then throwaway the return ticket. I know this is technically illegal and most airlines T&C's say they may charge you the difference, but even Simon Calder says that in practice they don't. So just wondered if anyone has done this and did you 'get away' with it or suffer any repurcissions?

[Buenchico]

Possibly worth a read:
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/lufthansa-passenger-tariff-abuse-cheap-flights-lawsuit-tickets-missing-air-france-british-airways-a8773371.html

[sddsddean]

I've read similar articles Chris. It would appear the chances of getting 'caught' are pretty slim. I just wanted to see if anyone on here has done it. I'd be doing the first flight (so no suspicion there), but just wouldn't turn up for the return. As I understand most airlines practises, they over sell flights anyway on the basis of some people not turning up (for whatever reason) and can nearly always fill the space from the waiting list.

[barry1010]

Why does it bother the airlines? They've been paid for the flight and empty seat and less luggage means they save on fuel

[sddsddean]

I've been looking at flights Barry. If you do a one way London - Miami, it works out nearly£4K for 2 of us. If you did a multi city (fly to Miami, return from JFK), its only about £1800 for both of us, so if you throw the return flight away, its still cheaper if you only want to go one way. However, most airlines T&C's say you can't do that and if they find out you have done it 'on purpose', will ask you for the difference...eg about £2200 in this case. However, nearly all the articles I can find on this say that the airlines hardly ever bother, though Lufthansa is going through the courts with a case at the moment.

[rockyracoon]

It must be very difficult to prove. What if you woke late, were unwell etc.

[sddsddean]

Agreed. How does the airline prove it, unless they say "when they missed their flight, they didn't ask to re book". I think they let most of them go, as they know it would result in bad publicity.

[Ellipsis]

Airlines expect it, which is why they overbook flights and then sometimes end up paying people to spend a night in a hotel and catch a later flight.

I've done it once, years ago now, when my flight was booked and paid for by the travel agent of a company I was visiting. I was innocent and thought nothing of it at the time.