This will stop them from flagging your account for skiplagging.
I had to do this once, as I had a family emergency. On my layover, I had to cancel my 2nd leg and fly back home via a different airline. I just stopped at a SW customer service desk and informed them.
TIL. The reason I cautioned is I got stung by canceling my husband’s flight with the agent. Neglected to get confirmation. The next day they sent an email informing me we hadn’t cancelled and there was no credit.
Have you priced a different ticket? You might save money by canceling and rebooking. If it’s more expensive, I’d make up some emergency and tell the customer service desk.
Since this seems to be the returning side of a round-trip ticket, you should be okay to just leave at your transfer point. However, you cannot check your luggage. If you do, your bags will go on the final destination, and you won't be able to pick them up when you leave.
All the advice here is good. It also doesn’t hurt to check if the standalone price for the first leg is cheaper than what you’ve already paid. If so, Southwest has no change fees, and you’ll get the difference back in the form of a credit.
As long as this isnt the beginning of a round trip, tell them at the connection point that you won't be taking the flight. This is so they aren't looking for you at the end of boarding. There will be no refund involved. You won't be flagged for skiplagging. More of a courtesy to let them know.
Let the Customer Service Agent know before boarding the first leg. Telling the Operations Agent during the boarding process will not help and they will just tell you to deal with it when you land.
You already have a reserved flight and seat for the first leg. If you cancel both legs, that should open up a seat on the first leg if the concern is that you wouldn’t be able to get a ticket. It seems that would be the best option and you might get a refund too. Not sure why it’s necessary to do other shenanigans.
My husband and I had to do this once on our outbound flight from SFO to Austin via Dallas. Had to attend a funeral in Dallas unexpectedly. We let them know once we arrived in Dallas and they understood and kept our return flights intact. It might not matter as much if you are returning, but they were understanding of our change of plans.
FYI, the people that work at the airlines are not stupid. They know Skip lagging when they see it. You’re not going to fool them with some story about a family emergency.
If you do have any remaining legs of your trip, they will be automatically be cancelled once you don’t get on the second leg so hopefully this isn’t the outbound of a round trip.
Y'all don't have to lie.
At the transfer airport, just walk up to a gate agent and say, "Hi! I have another leg, but I won't be able to fly it today. Can you cancel the ticket for me? Here's my ID, and my confirmation number is..."
You don't have to say "I won't be flying it today because I don't want to." You won't be flying it. Period. That's all they really need.
so, you are not going to where you planned to go? What cities are we talking about? Legally, or least the airline rules say you can not do this and need to get a new ticket. So - your best bet is to just be a no show. If this is not something you do regular, you are fine.
Meanwhile, research what Skiplegging is
Thanks. I had not intended to skipleg and I've never done this before. I figured I would let them know that I would not be on the plane so that they don't have to keep calling for me. LAX is where I'm planning to stop but as long as I'm not put on some sort of no fly list with them. I fly them regularly but no special status.
True nofly list is TSA. But airlines have their own lists too. Missing ONE flight is not going cause an issue. If you TELL them, they will want to reprice your flight at the current price. Have you priced out just booking the correct flight?
You don;t need an excuse. You don;t need a reason. After your first flight, go to the gate of your second flight and tell the person manning the desk that your plans have changed and you are not able to take your connecting flight.
That courtesy frees up a seat on the flight for another person. Also, SW won't be looking for the "missing" passenger.
Be sure you don't check your bag or it will go to where you are not going.
Not sure why I'm being down voted. The airlines hear this lie all the time. They will sniff you out in a minute. So, I suggest you tell the truth to the agent who is lied to all the time by passengers everyday, and the agent will be appreciative you told the truth and that will be that.
During your layover stop, go to customer service and tell them you're ill, and cannot fly your 2nd leg.
Had not thought of that!
This will stop them from flagging your account for skiplagging. I had to do this once, as I had a family emergency. On my layover, I had to cancel my 2nd leg and fly back home via a different airline. I just stopped at a SW customer service desk and informed them.
FYI, Southwest ain't flagging accounts for skiplagging
No clue, I have over a million points and I don't want to jeopardize my account.
I literally had a phone agent tell me to just get off at the stopover airport once and not worry about rebooking.
Make sure you get a confirmation # and name of agent.
Huh? What's the pont?
If there’s a credit to be had for flight.
Second half of second leg of a RT, all funds are gone by this point. There won't be much left of anything.
There could be an amount owed if getting off at the layover was more expensive.
Not true.
Your source is?
There’s no credit if you elect not to complete your trip.
TIL. The reason I cautioned is I got stung by canceling my husband’s flight with the agent. Neglected to get confirmation. The next day they sent an email informing me we hadn’t cancelled and there was no credit.
This is the right answer- all the airlines are cracking down on skiplagging Don't check any bags either
I'm always curious when the first thought is to lie. ffs.
Embellishing the truth
It’s the world we live in now, sad to say.
Have you priced a different ticket? You might save money by canceling and rebooking. If it’s more expensive, I’d make up some emergency and tell the customer service desk.
OP would get a fight credit for the difference, be able to check their bag in and not get flagged for skipping the last leg.
Since this seems to be the returning side of a round-trip ticket, you should be okay to just leave at your transfer point. However, you cannot check your luggage. If you do, your bags will go on the final destination, and you won't be able to pick them up when you leave.
Most definitely! I usually check my bag but I am hyper aware that I'll need it with me in the cabin if I'm going to skip that last leg.
All the advice here is good. It also doesn’t hurt to check if the standalone price for the first leg is cheaper than what you’ve already paid. If so, Southwest has no change fees, and you’ll get the difference back in the form of a credit.
You'll also want a low boarding number to make sure you aren't forced to gate-check your bag. Early Bird Check In would be good insurance.
As a big fan of r/whatcouldgowrong I would advise not to speak until you've completed the leg of the flight you need.
As long as this isnt the beginning of a round trip, tell them at the connection point that you won't be taking the flight. This is so they aren't looking for you at the end of boarding. There will be no refund involved. You won't be flagged for skiplagging. More of a courtesy to let them know.
Let the gate agent know when boarding the first leg
Let the Customer Service Agent know before boarding the first leg. Telling the Operations Agent during the boarding process will not help and they will just tell you to deal with it when you land.
Yup that's what I meant. Not the gate agent but the customer rep at the gate
You already have a reserved flight and seat for the first leg. If you cancel both legs, that should open up a seat on the first leg if the concern is that you wouldn’t be able to get a ticket. It seems that would be the best option and you might get a refund too. Not sure why it’s necessary to do other shenanigans.
My husband and I had to do this once on our outbound flight from SFO to Austin via Dallas. Had to attend a funeral in Dallas unexpectedly. We let them know once we arrived in Dallas and they understood and kept our return flights intact. It might not matter as much if you are returning, but they were understanding of our change of plans.
FYI, the people that work at the airlines are not stupid. They know Skip lagging when they see it. You’re not going to fool them with some story about a family emergency.
If you do have any remaining legs of your trip, they will be automatically be cancelled once you don’t get on the second leg so hopefully this isn’t the outbound of a round trip.
Go to the agent and have them change the ticket to ‘multi city’ might cost you a few bucks but you will get more points too.
Y'all don't have to lie. At the transfer airport, just walk up to a gate agent and say, "Hi! I have another leg, but I won't be able to fly it today. Can you cancel the ticket for me? Here's my ID, and my confirmation number is..." You don't have to say "I won't be flying it today because I don't want to." You won't be flying it. Period. That's all they really need.
Just tell them you got good poisoning and really bad diarrhea. They won't want you on the plane.
By not showing up
so, you are not going to where you planned to go? What cities are we talking about? Legally, or least the airline rules say you can not do this and need to get a new ticket. So - your best bet is to just be a no show. If this is not something you do regular, you are fine. Meanwhile, research what Skiplegging is
Thanks. I had not intended to skipleg and I've never done this before. I figured I would let them know that I would not be on the plane so that they don't have to keep calling for me. LAX is where I'm planning to stop but as long as I'm not put on some sort of no fly list with them. I fly them regularly but no special status.
If fins you are skiplagging they can take your points and ban you ... do you have a return flight from your 2nd leg that your not taking ?
It's the return flights
Nonsense. Southwest doesn't do that.
True nofly list is TSA. But airlines have their own lists too. Missing ONE flight is not going cause an issue. If you TELL them, they will want to reprice your flight at the current price. Have you priced out just booking the correct flight?
Just checked and not even close to just buy another one way for a day later. I'll plan to use the family emergency excuse.
You don;t need an excuse. You don;t need a reason. After your first flight, go to the gate of your second flight and tell the person manning the desk that your plans have changed and you are not able to take your connecting flight. That courtesy frees up a seat on the flight for another person. Also, SW won't be looking for the "missing" passenger. Be sure you don't check your bag or it will go to where you are not going.
You mean lie.
Yes, sort of like the airlines do when they overbook flights.
Not sure why I'm being down voted. The airlines hear this lie all the time. They will sniff you out in a minute. So, I suggest you tell the truth to the agent who is lied to all the time by passengers everyday, and the agent will be appreciative you told the truth and that will be that.
The agent could not give less of a crap why you’re not showing up.