I bought a ticket from Swiss on the phone last week, and they actually told me that on the phone. It was a bit annoying, but I'd suspected it, so there you go.

What killed me though was that the lady also clearly stated that if I did not show up for the return leg (I just took a round-trip as a one-way), they would rebook the flight retroactively as a one-way and charge me the difference! I'm not convinced that's legit, but she clearly said it. Good luck to the OP, might want to go with a different airline just in case.

I have never had that happen and have not seen it in the fine print at all. Once, when I booked directly with an airline, I was asked to let them them know in advance if I was not going to use the return sector - just so they knew in advance that I would not be turning up at the last minute ( and presumingly giving the opportunity for my seat to be used by someone else.)

So wallabies why the groan?? i dont care about the actual groan , just the reasoning behind it

It's simple, not a problem. And yes, usually the round-trip ticket is cheaper than a one-way. I have known many people, myself included who have bought round-trip tickets for various reasons but didn't use the return ticket. It's your money and it is not illegal.
By the way, this is a bit OT, but why are you thinking about returning to the USA? Other than for an emergency? The US is a 1st world country, being taken over by 2nd world citizens, on its demise into a 3rd world slum...lol

Of course buy roundtrip (if cheaper) and ignore the return leg. I've done it before with Swiss...

If one is planning to throw away the return portion of a ticket anyway, it's definitely worthwile to check many single and double open jaw options. I mean, booking the return back to/from a city with the cheapest fares. For example a ZRH-USA-LHR will most of the time come out cheaper than a ZRH-USA-ZRH. Also, if going to a more expensive destination such as in the midwest or NW, there is no need to buy the return ticket from that airport if you never plan to use it. Example: ZRH-FWA(ft wayne, indiana), buy the return as JFK-LHR. It will work most of the time.

I use something similar for most of my personal travel with Swiss Air on the return trips from N. America or Asia. Start out in ZRH, but book the return back to LHR for example, with a connection in ZRH preferrably overnight. (<24 hours) Then simply throw away the last sector. Yes I understand the risks involved but saving a few chf is more fun!

A good tips but I reckon it is only viable when you don't check in luggage right? Else your luggage would be checked in all the way to LHR that you cannot throw away the last sector?

You can choose where to check your bags through to.

Not all airlines will allow you to "short check" bags....

I am also wondering. I always thought that if your travel itinerary shows A (via B) to C, the luggage will be directly checked till C as final destination. Else how would you try to convince the person at the check-in counter actually for a check in till B, other than the plain fact you are getting down at B?

I've done it. Useful if you want to buy some stuff at your stop-over destination and pack it (e.g. liquids) instead of taking it as hand luggage. I've never had any problem, although I think I've only asked to do it two or three times.

Oh yes. I got it. I think if the stopover time is long enough, we can say we need to take something from the luggage and thus we will check in on our own for the second part of the travel. But if the stopover is very short then I think it is not logical (or possible).

If, let's say, you were travelling via the US. Your bags are checked all the way but you have to pick your bag up at the gateway, go through customs, and check them back in again. Now if you were to walk out through customs and not bother checking in again, I don't think anyone would chase you.

Some airlines (check-in staff) will allow you to check your bag to an intermediate point. But some airlines, aware of the fact that some illogical fares structures call for leaving the itinerary half way through will refuse to do it. As an example, Milan - Zurich - Chicago return may be (much) cheaper than a Zurich - Chicago return. So much so that it may be worth taking the train to Milan from Zurich and getting on the plane there. You have to take the Milan - Zurich flight otherwise the airline will cancel the remaining legs. On the way back, however, it would be more convenient to get off in Zurich, not caring whether the Zurich - Milan leg is cancelled because it is not needed anyway. The airlines know this and this is why many will not short check your bags. (However YMMV and some airline agents respond well to charm and a smile )

PS This of course only applies to flights that are booked as connecting flights, not where there is a scheduled stopover (see post #34 below)

If you are ticketed as having a "stopover" then in fact you are expected to collect your baggage. I have tried to have my luggage go straight to the final place ( or final, of the first half of the 2 way ticket) and not usually been able to do it.

My understanding is that the airlines do not want to be forwarding your luggage to the final desination with you not being on the same 'plane, just in case you have planted a bomb in the bag whilst declining to actually be a suicide bomber.

Travelling home through the USA, the inconvenience at LAX has included having to actually claim all luggage and take it all through security again, have it rechecked in, despite not leaving the transit area at all.

I believe that is true with most airlines, if not all.
not showing up for the first, or one of the middle legs of a flight booking will usually cause problems. not showing up for the return (or the last leg) is always ok.

Thanks for your reply. I was only trying to prevent others of not "enjoying" same surprise like I did.

What you stated there I've already found it out myself, afterwards. And contrary to what you believe is fair, I think it should be their duty to inform me about cancelling my flight which I entirely paid for, although is mentioned in their terms &conditions.

exactly, its the terms and conditions you agree to when booking the ticket if people dont read them then tough.

Just a thought... but... if you have to book a return and ONLY want to use the return half of the ticket ( because of silly pricing by airline )... would it
be possible to turn up for the outward flight, check in (no baggage of course) , and then just bugger off.. ? .... would this prevent it being a 'no-show' on the outward flight ?

No, because they'd know you didn't board. Checking in doesn't have much significance any more (especially as you can usually do it online hours or even days in advance).

However, with a fully refundable ticket (usually very expensive) yours is a good way to get stuff duty free at the shops without actually leaving the country. Maybe. Not that anyone I know would do that of course.