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Can I use RT ticket as an Open Jaw ticket?

Hello,

Air France is currently offering a lowish RT fare for Boston - Barcelona (lower even than just a Boston - Paris RT). Of course for the Boston - Barcelona you have to change planes in Paris. So I am wondering if I could buy the Boston - Barcelona RT and just not use one of the Paris - Barcelona legs. In other words, fly all the way to Barcelona on the outbound flight, then work my way back to Paris via train, then return to Boston directly from Paris. Would I be able to board in Paris for the return trip? Or would they cancel my reservation since I didn't show for the Barcelona - Paris flight?

Alternatively, I would consider skipping the Paris - Barcelona flight on the way out, work my way from Paris to Barcelona via train, and fly back to Boston directly from Barcelona. This seems like it could be less problematic, as no one is going to force me to get on the Paris - Barcelona flight I wouldn't think. On the other hand, if I am forced to check my backpack in Boston that could be problematic. Would they let me check it just to Paris? Or would I be effectively forced to go the Barcelona to catch up with my backpack?

Third possibility: do you think it would be possible to buy the Boston - Barcelona RT and just skip Barcelona entirely? I'm guessing the airline wouldn't like that?

Would appreciate any feedback on this. If any of the options are workable, I believe it would be cheaper than buying an "open jaw" ticket or a Boston - Paris RT.

Thanks!

Posted by
1074 posts

No, skipping any leg of the flight would automatically cancel the rest of your ticket.

Posted by
16895 posts

No, you can't skip any leg, other than the last one, or the rest of your ticket will be cancelled. You can book an open jaws or "multi-city" itinerary, such as into Barcelona and out from Paris, and price should be about in the middle of the two roundtrip options. Trains across France not cheap, either, unless you book them 3-4 months in advance, and take 7 hours or more.

Posted by
7209 posts

Why is it a "scam"? Yes, the airlines don't like it, but how does that make it a scam?

Posted by
2790 posts

It's not that the airlines "don't like it' It is against the terms and conditions you agree to when you buy the ticket. They view trying to do this as a "scam" to deprive them of revenue. In order to stop this they void ALL flights after the missed flight! So for OP if he got off in Paris when he showed up at the Barcelona airport a few weeks later to go home he would be told "too bad, would you like to buy a one way ticket home?" Same thing would happen if he just appeared is Paris

Posted by
2829 posts

You buy a whole ticket BOS-BCN. The transfer in Paris a technical detail from a ticketing standpoint.

Failing to show up at any flight will automatically cancel the rest of your travel ticket.