I am traveling to France and Italy in the fall of 2014. I'm starting my trip in Paris, next going to Provence, then traveling from Marseilles to Florence, etc. and then flying back to Chicago from Florence. Looking at various airline sites, I have found that it is cheeper and easier for my plans to fly roundtrip Chicago to Florence, on Air France, (as the first flight goes through Paris CDG on the way to Florence) than it is to fly open jaw Chicago to Paris/ Florence to Chicago. My question is this: If I book the roundtrip Chicago to Florence and just forgo the connection at CDG to Florence and stay in Paris, will I be putting my return flight in jeopardy? I don't want to loose my return flight from Florence by skipping the connection from Paris to Florence. I hope my question is clear. Thanks, travelers.
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
I would recommend that you review the airlines "contract of carriage" to answer your question. However, with most airlines, failing to complete all legs of a contracted journey can invalidate your ticket (which in your case would be the return portion).
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5790 posts
Don't do it.
For most airlines, if you skip a leg the airline will cancel the remainder of your itinerary.
Posted by
Dana Point
1207 posts
In 99.99% of circumstances, once you miss one segment of an itinerary, all the following segments are automatically cancelled. You'll need to bite the bullet and pay the higher, open-jaw price.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23548 posts
You are not doing something right. I almost never find RT cheaper than open jaw especially if you add in the cost of returning to your starting point.
I did a quick check of flights two weeks, mid Sept, Wed/Wed. The open jaw to Paris and home from Florence was actually cheaper - $1214. RT to Paris from Chicago was $1232.
Your return leg will be cancelled if you get off in Paris.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
37 posts
Thank you everyone. I thought my plan was too good to be true. Back to the drawing board for me.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4085 posts
You might also want to check your comparison of a round trip to open-jaws. I used Delta's site because it is easier (it and Air France sell each other's flights) and found in mid-September that flying into Paris and out of Florence was just about the same price as flying round trip to and from Florence. Plus you get to go to Paris and can find a cheapo flight from there to Florence one-way (use www.whichbudget.com or www.skyscanner.com to find no-frills lines that don't come up on the American-based search sites.)
Posted by
Slidell, LA
567 posts
Agree with everyone else about the open jaw. Almost always is very close to a round trip flight. you didn't say how are you getting from Marseilles to Florence or how long you will be in Provence, but if you're taking the TGV from Paris to Avignon consider if you have the time renting a car at the train station and explore Provence, then drive to Nice and catch a train from there to Florence. You can even stop in the Cinque Terre for a couple of days if you plan it right. There is a lot to see and do along the French Riviera (check out Cassis) and a car will open places to see that you would miss otherwise. Driving in France is easy and the drop charge is not that bad.