@ShortCheckBagga wrote:
Hello
1 - If I am on a Nashville to San Francisco flight and want to get off in Las Vegas and NOT board the connecting flight to SFO - am I allowed to do that?
2 - Would my checked in luggage just continue to SFO?
Thanks
Hello-
Skipping the connecting flight to SFO and getting off at the connection point at LAS is known as Skiplagging. Even if the traveler verbally notifies Southwest staff at the gate at LAS that they will not board their connecting flight and scraps the rest of trip, Southwest does not permit this as the itinerary isn't being completed as booked. The penalty may result in the remainder of your booked itinerary being cancelled and Rapid Rewards TQP points accrued for the itinerary forfeited.
If you want to stop over at LAS, I would rebook the flight to: BNA - LAS
If you then want to head over to the Bay Area later, book a separate flight from
LAS - SFO (or alternatively OAK) via a separate one-way.
This option is likely more expensive than a one-way with a connection but the trade off would be that your itinerary and accrued Rapid Rewards points will remain in good standing with Southwest for your LAS stopover. Plus, you'll earn two flights toward A-List and Companion Pass instead of one should you continue to SFO later on Southwest.
Last summer, I took a train trip up north to PDX but elected to fly back home to SAN, but there were no SW nonstops from PDX-SAN on my return date. The layover city was SJC but I elected to separate the flights into two so I can "extend" the layover and actually stop over and enjoy some sights near SJC for the day before returning to SAN instead of waiting at the airport. As mentioned, this will likely cost more in airfare but I've found the tradeoff worth it as I've always enjoyed stopping over at intermediate cities, but I would never do it via a Skiplag.
Checked baggage also goes to the final destination for one-way itineraries with a connection. Skiplagging will most likely also generate a very high risk of you getting separated from your luggage with the traveler fully responsible of the added shipping expense whereas two one-ways ensures you can collect your bags at the stopover city so you can go explore.
My advice: Don't Skiplag. Rebook as two one-ways, even if the airfare is higher.
