One-way v Return Flights Cost

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › One-way v Return Flights Cost

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9333 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6201

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#262220 10-Jan-2020 21:54

I’m sure this principle must have been discussed here but can’t readily find discussions.

My wife and I need to fly one way from Manchester, UK, to Split, Croatia, in May this year. One-way flights are priced around $550 pp. However, if I look at return flights and put in a fictitious return date, the return prices are around $450 pp.

Is there any reason why we shouldn’t book two return flights - then just fail to show up for the return to MAN?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

PeterReader

6028 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#2389936 10-Jan-2020 21:54

Allow me to introduce you folks to our new travel community: TravelTalk NZ.

We hope to see you there!

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

neb

11294 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2389954 11-Jan-2020 02:04

That's a variant on getting a cheaper flight to X by booking something that goes via X and not flying the last leg, you can do it OK but don't make a habit of it or the airlines will start getting upset with you. It'd also be courteous to call them and say you can't make the return flight for $reasons, so they can release the booking.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9333 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6201

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2389958 11-Jan-2020 03:40

neb: That's a variant on getting a cheaper flight to X by booking something that goes via X and not flying the last leg, you can do it OK but don't make a habit of it or the airlines will start getting upset with you. It'd also be courteous to call them and say you can't make the return flight for $reasons, so they can release the booking.

Thanks - I knew I had seen something along these lines on here - and it was this variation.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Senecio

2853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3162

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2389959 11-Jan-2020 06:09

Just don’t make the mistake of booking a return flight from Split to Manchester and skipping the first leg. Some airline will cancel the return flight if you miss the outbound flight.

Other than that it’s very common practise is Europe.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#2389977 11-Jan-2020 09:06

eracode:

I’m sure this principle must have been discussed here but can’t readily find discussions.

My wife and I need to fly one way from Manchester, UK, to Split, Croatia, in May this year. One-way flights are priced around $550 pp. However, if I look at return flights and put in a fictitious return date, the return prices are around $450 pp.

Is there any reason why we shouldn’t book two return flights - then just fail to show up for the return to MAN?

This is something I used to do occasionally when I lived in Europe. Sometimes 2 return flights (4 individual flights) were cheaper than 2 one way... so why not. Not illegal to miss a flight haha.

Aaroona

3204 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 169

#2400874 17-Jan-2020 17:07

surfisup1000:

eracode:

I’m sure this principle must have been discussed here but can’t readily find discussions.

My wife and I need to fly one way from Manchester, UK, to Split, Croatia, in May this year. One-way flights are priced around $550 pp. However, if I look at return flights and put in a fictitious return date, the return prices are around $450 pp.

Is there any reason why we shouldn’t book two return flights - then just fail to show up for the return to MAN?

This is something I used to do occasionally when I lived in Europe. Sometimes 2 return flights (4 individual flights) were cheaper than 2 one way... so why not. Not illegal to miss a flight haha.

Don't think it was so much as being a legality issue, more than "will they bar me from flying with them" - but either way, probably not, since it's common practice for airlines to over-sell flights, with the expectation that a percentage of people won't make the flight. Works for them most of the time, but sometimes not.

Worst case, they end up with double the money.. don't think they're too worried. They must make a killing off missed flights haha.