My husband & I have round trip planned (Phx-LAX, LAX-Tahiti and corresponding return. We've been told that if we don't show up for the 1st leg of our trip, Phx-LAX (we'd like to leave a day early, and not change anything on our pre-existing itinerary, forfeiting the PHX-LAX money and not have to re-assign seats) that the airline would cancel the entire rest of our itinerary. We can't believe this, and wonder why this would happen? Any answers out there?
Even though this is a "Europe" travel board, the answer is universal.
You have booked a flight from Phoenix to Tahiti. The flight just happens to stop and change planes in Los Angeles. If you don't show for the first leg, the computer assumes you are a no-show and cancels the entire itinerary.
When you check in for the flight in Phoenix, you check in for both legs, not one at a time.
You did not book PHX-LAX LAX-Tahiti and then Tahiti-Lax LAX-PHX. You book PHX-Tahiti and Tahiti-PHX.
If you really wanted to go a day early, call the airline and see if they will reschedule just the PHX-LAX part.
I have read about this rule in the past; it is a ?Ridiculous rule that apparently all airlines have.
I would call your airline and ask how you can avoid this problem in case you can't make your flight.