Please help - urgent query re United Airlines multi stop flight pls help

[picknmixer]

I have to travel to Washington DC for a memorial service in April and have very little money. I have been looking at flights and to DC is minimum £1000 but NYC is £700. I decided to get the train on top DC. I have now found a flight for £540 that stops in Munich, then DC then on to NYC. The same route without the NYC leg is £1070!
I called the airline and they said failure to arrive for the final leg can in some cases cause your return trip to be cancelled.
Has anyone any experience of this?
Can I fein illness in DC and not take the final leg of the journey by informing them at the airport?

Any advice much appreciated.
thank you

Thank you so much everyone. The tip to search all airports has been brilliant. Man - Munich-Baltimore is a much cheaper route.
I have to go, it is not for my child but a child I was guardian to and he has no one else. I have to go, he specifically requested it in his will. It is very important to me to do as he asked.

I am so grateful. Thank you all so much for giving your time up on a Sunday.

I have to be in DC in a reasonable condition on 7th April I am doing pilates in preparation!

I am glad you found a better alternative and wish you well with the trip. Do ask for help from your airline as they can get you on buggies etc and make the whole thing less tiring.

You sound like such a lovely and decent person . Good for you. I hope your trip is not too exhausting for you .

Thank you all so much. I have a flight booked on 5/4 for £614. I would have been lost without your advice.

I am being given an American flag. I am not
Sure what I should do with it. But I did love him and I should accept it xxx thabks you all

Worth googling on that as there are specific cultural things about the US flag like you must never let it touch the floor. That sounds very touching.

Would you like to tell us about your loss?

Did you end up going with landing in Baltimore?

Also, are you going to internment at Arlington National Cemetary? Being given a flag, in DC, sounds like a military funeral...

If you need any other info or advice on the DC area, I'm happy to help as my DH is from and we still spend quite a bit of time with family there.

Wow, that should have said interment. Very different words.

Please make sure you have completed an
ETSA visa form online before your trip so they let you in to the US.

Good luck with your trip and preparations @picknmixer I hope all goes smoothly for you.