Skiplagging, an air travel trend that has taken the skies by storm in recent years, is highly controversial. For some travelers, this practice, also known as hidden city ticketing, can save substantial amounts of money on plane tickets. For others, skiplagging turns a normal flight into a travel nightmare, with penalties ranging from canceled return flights to being banned from all future flights with that airline.
The risks associated with “skiplagging” often outweigh the benefits, as many recent studies show. the news on travelers facing these serious consequences when caught. I spoke with travel experts Anton Radchenko and Echo Wang to find out exactly what skiplagging is, why it can be risky, and other ways to save on plane ticket.
What is Skiplagging?
While researching flights for your travels, you may have seen cases where direct flights to your desired destination are significantly more expensive than flights that transit through your desired destination but continue to another city. Simply put, skiplagging occurs when travelers book a connecting flight but get off in the layover city and do not take the remaining flights on the booked itinerary in order to save money. Sites like Jumped up Advertise discounted rates using this technique.
“Skiplagging involves purchasing a multi-city ticket (from A to C via B), but exiting at the desired destination (B) and skipping the last leg (from B to C),” explains Wang. “This is done to save money because these tickets are often cheaper than direct flights from point A to point B.”
For example, let's say you want to take a flight from Los Angeles to London in April. You can book a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to London for $677. Or, using the skiplagging method, you can book a ticket from Los Angeles to Dublin with a stopover in London for just $532; you would leave the airport on your layover in London and pocket the savings.
However, it is important to note that this may only work in special situations. You cannot check a bag or it will continue to the final destination you are supposed to go to. Plus, as we'll see, there can be consequences if the airline surprises you.
Benefits and risks of Skiplagging
Travelers around the world are looking for ways to save money on plane tickets amid high air costs. Although skiplagging could theoretically help you save money, most experts agree that it is not recommended due to the potential consequences. “Airlines generally don't like skiplagging and have the right to cancel your ticket if they spot a skiplagging tactic,” says Radchenko. “This could put you in a situation where you have to purchase a new flight to your intended destination, which could end up costing significantly more than was originally planned or budgeted.”
Delta, South West, and other major U.S. airlines clearly prohibit this practice in their contract of carriage documents. Airlines cite a multitude of reasons why skiplagging is prohibited, from operational issues such as delays to losing profits by knowingly causing an empty seat on the second flight of your itinerary.
Likewise, schedule changes can disrupt your overdue plans. Airlines companies change schedules often before departure and you may have a different stopover city than planned. If this is the case, you won't get to your desired destination at all.
If you were to attempt skiplagging, you shouldn't do it with your favorite airline, according to our experts. “Carriers also have the right to prohibit travelers from traveling with them in the future if you are arrested,” says Radchenko. “While skiplagging is not illegal, it is a breach of an airline’s contract with you, the customer.” This distinction is essential. Although there is no law against this practice, airlines still have their own policies as noted above, and failure to follow these policies can result in major consequences.
Radchenko notes: “While outright bans are rare, an airline can also confiscate points or miles you have earned, prevent you from earning future points, or revoke your membership in its frequent flyer program. He continues: “It may sound like using a hammer to crack a nut, but airlines are cracking down on the practice. And for frequent travelers who have spent a lot of time and money getting these perks, losing them could be a nightmare scenario.
Other ways to find cheap flights
If you don't want to risk the potential consequences, we have other ideas to help you save money. flights. “Instead (of skipping time), try booking flights in private browsing mode or using a VPN to find better deals,” suggests Wang. “Airlines use cookies to track your searches and potentially increase prices. Use incognito or private browsing windows to avoid this.
Another way to save money on your flight is to be flexible with your departure and destination airports. “Consider flying to smaller, less busy airports close to your destination, which often offer lower fares,” says Wang. As a full-time digital nomad, I do this often and can attest to its cost-saving effectiveness. Sometimes the opposite works too; you can search for flights to a larger hub near your final destination to see if they are cheaper. Either way, flexibility is key.
You can also redeem airline miles or credit card points to reduce airline ticket costs. With the right travel rewards credit card, you can transfer your points to your favorite airline to book your flight, paying only taxes and fees.
Finally, plan your travel plans with some free time. “Booking well in advance, about 60 days for international flights and 28 days for domestic flights, can also save you money, according to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks report,” Wang says.
Anton Radchenko is the founder of Airline advisora company that helps travelers obtain compensation in the event of flight disruptions.
Echo Wang is a full-time traveler and founder of Cool travel vibe.
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(Featured image credit: Greg Pease/Getty Images)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
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Written by
Harrison Pierce
