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Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

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Re: Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

#11

Post by Dawenster »

mikeash wrote: post #9
stickperson wrote: post #2

Don't airline companies really frown upon this practice? I can't recall if they can actually do something about it though.

I see two potential problems. First, you probably shouldn't do this as the first part of a roundtrip ticket, as the airline can cancel your return if they think you're abusing the system. That may not be important for many people, but it's there. Second, if something goes wrong (bad weather, can't find a pilot, whatever) the airline may reroute you through a different city, completely screwing up your plan. They don'…

Very true, my co-founder discovered this the hard way.

A note on the roundtrip booking - correct, you should never book roundtrip. Your roundtrip should be made up from two one-way bookings.

Re: Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

#15

Post by rhino369 »

mikeash wrote: post #9
stickperson wrote: post #2

Don't airline companies really frown upon this practice? I can't recall if they can actually do something about it though.

I see two potential problems. First, you probably shouldn't do this as the first part of a roundtrip ticket, as the airline can cancel your return if they think you're abusing the system. That may not be important for many people, but it's there. Second, if something goes wrong (bad weather, can't find a pilot, whatever) the airline may reroute you through a different city, completely screwing up your plan. They don'…

Third,

the overhead compartments are full and you have to check your bag.

Re: Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

#16

Post by AKhoo »

Dawenster wrote: post #11
mikeash wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see two potential problems. First, you probably shouldn't do this as the first part of a roundtrip ticket, as the airline can cancel your return if they think you're abusing the system. That may not be important for many people, but it's there. Second, if something goes wrong (bad weather, can't find a pilot, whatever) the airline may reroute you through a different city, completely screwing up your plan. They don'…

Very true, my co-founder discovered this the hard way. A note on the roundtrip booking - correct, you should never book roundtrip. Your roundtrip should be made up from two one-way bookings.

lol I am the aforementioned co-founder. This is definitely a flight booking hack with costs and benefits that have to be weighed. I don't personally book this way for savings of just 10-20 bucks. When it's something like $80 in savings or more (I saved >30% on my last flight), you start to think maybe the expected value will come out positive, even with all risks considered.

Re: Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

#17

Post by NhanH »

stickperson wrote: post #2

Don't airline companies really frown upon this practice? I can't recall if they can actually do something about it though.

I don't understand, why does airline frown upon this practice? What do they lose from you not going to one of their flight?

Re: Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

#18

Post by giarc »

rhino369 wrote: post #15
mikeash wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see two potential problems. First, you probably shouldn't do this as the first part of a roundtrip ticket, as the airline can cancel your return if they think you're abusing the system. That may not be important for many people, but it's there. Second, if something goes wrong (bad weather, can't find a pilot, whatever) the airline may reroute you through a different city, completely screwing up your plan. They don'…

Third, the overhead compartments are full and you have to check your bag.

Just be first in line to board the plane.

Re: Save money flying from New York and San Francisco

#20

Post by mikeash »

rhino369 wrote: post #15
mikeash wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see two potential problems. First, you probably shouldn't do this as the first part of a roundtrip ticket, as the airline can cancel your return if they think you're abusing the system. That may not be important for many people, but it's there. Second, if something goes wrong (bad weather, can't find a pilot, whatever) the airline may reroute you through a different city, completely screwing up your plan. They don'…

Third, the overhead compartments are full and you have to check your bag.

Don't they give it back to you at the end of the flight when that happens? In my experience, only bags checked during checkin get routed through connections.
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