[Debbie Whitcraft]

Purchased round trip tickeds and didn't make outbound flight so US Airways cancelled the return flight. Multiple seats available on plane, but would have to pay the difference for one-way fare (3 times more) plus change fee to retain my itinerary.

I can book a roundtrip 3 days later at 1/3 the cost and just not return. What can the airlines do - if the return flight is canceled it doesn't matter!

[arapha]

I had the same situation. US Aiways is the WORST. Pretty much as their partner America West. Yes, they make a lot of flights. Can't wait when they go out of business and let somebody else to fill their place. They are charging for changing the ticket twice more than the ticket itself. They cancelling the flight and force you to stay additional 4 hours at the airport without asking you. They cancel the multiple leg itinerary if one leg is missed. Why? Stay away if you can. And the most important: NEVER BUY ROUND TRIP OR MULTILEG TRIPS. This goes for all airlines. They do not give any discounts. Why not to buy all of the segments individually. This way all of them are save in case you have to change one.

[abutterfinger25]

Debbie:

All airlines will do this if you don't notify them about the missed leg prior to the travel date. It comes down to this, when you purchased your ticket you agreed to a contract for US Air to take you from point A to point B and return. When you don't show up for the first leg, you broke the contract. The carrier's position on this subject stems from a situation commonly referred to as "hidden city ticketing."

For example, a flight from New York to Chicago to Indy sells for $150. But a flight on the same carrier from New York to Chicago could sell for $250. A passenger would then purchase the Indy flight, save a $100 and just never board the second leg. The carrier response to this practice was just to cancel all remaining flight segments once one is missed due to passenger actions.

[azstar]

This is not hidden city ticketing. If you buy a roundtrip ticket, and fail to use the outbound the return is always cancelled. Sometimes the roundtrip, discounted, ticket is cheaper than a one way ticket. If you only used the return portion, you are charged the one way fare that you normally would have to purchase in the first place.

[abutterfinger25]

I did not say it was hidden city ticketing. I said that the carrier's position on the matter comes from that practice. But you are correct, sometimes a round trip ticket is actually cheaper than a one way ticket.

[azstar]

Sorry. "Debbie" referred to it as "hidden city ticketing".

[debz2272000]

on 10/08/08 yes last night my mother was killed in a car crash, my son is out from S.C. for the phoenix pd, we called usaielines and asked to have the date changed they wouldnt do it then decided had to buy all new tickets to fly out after the funeral, not the best part yet, in the back ground while my son was trying to change dates, the guy on phone started to laugh, most likely at a coworker but bad manners and timing, well today i went to us air in person to try and get a little off the new ticket price, and no way. I didnt want anything free just a little off the full price no way would they work with us, told them they will never have another family member fly with them. well things went good after i called united and guess what they gave him a new ticket to get back home and a discount. united stepped up when usair wouldnt do a thing other then quote the high cost of fuel.