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“Skiplagging” is a savvy technique for budget-savvy travelers looking to cut costs on their airline tickets. However, experts in the travel industry caution that this practice carries significant risks.
Also referred to as “hidden city ticketing,” skiplagging takes advantage of a peculiar aspect of airfare pricing.
Here’s the basic idea: Instead of booking a direct flight to their final destination, travelers purchase a multi-leg flight with a layover in their desired city. Rather than continuing to their final destination, they get off the plane at the layover stop.
NerdWallet travel expert Sally French notes that skiplagging often turns out to be cheaper for travelers than booking a direct flight.
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However, airlines strongly disapprove of this practice. Many explicitly forbid it and have varying consequences for passengers who are caught skiplagging.
David Slotnick, senior aviation business reporter at The Points Guy, acknowledges that skiplagging has been around for a while but emphasizes its contentious nature. He warns that while it may reveal an unconventional aspect of airline pricing, taking advantage of it to save money is a high-risk proposition that should only be attempted by those who fully understand the ramifications.
Consequences include canceled flights, airline bans
The rise of online travel booking platforms, such as Skiplagged.com, has made it easier for travelers to engage in skiplagging. This website specializes in facilitating hidden city ticketing and provides detailed information on associated risks and strategies to mitigate them.
“This is perfectly legal and can yield significant savings, but it’s important to be aware of certain things,” advises Skiplagged.com. The company adds a cautionary note, stating that repeated use of skiplagging can upset airlines and should be avoided.
The potential risks were demonstrated recently when a teenager attempted to skiplag a flight. The passenger intended to disembark in Charlotte, North Carolina, instead of continuing to their final destination in New York. However, American Airlines discovered their plan and canceled their ticket.
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In addition to having their flights canceled and having to book last-minute tickets, which often nullify any initial cost savings, skiplagging passengers also risk being banned from an airline’s frequent flier program and losing associated benefits, according to Slotnick. Airlines may even ban these travelers from future flights and pursue legal action for damages.
Experts point out that skiplagging violates the terms of airlines’ contracts, which establish rules for passengers and typically prohibit hidden city ticketing. American Airlines, for example, specifies in its contract that tickets are only valid for travel to and from the cities listed on the ticket.
“I think it reveals a bizarre and counterintuitive way the airline-pricing model works.”
David Slotnick
Senior Aviation Business Reporter at The Points Guy
Moreover, skiplagging inconveniences travelers in several ways. For instance, they are unable to check their bags, which continue to the final destination instead of the layover city. Bringing a carry-on bag on board is also risky, as limited overhead space could compel passengers to check their bags. It is essential to book separate one-way tickets since airlines are likely to cancel the return ticket if any leg of the flight is missed.
Furthermore, flight schedules can be unpredictable, warns French. Airlines may reroute flights through different cities, altering the intended layover destination. French advises travelers to explore alternative ways to find good flight deals, such as using services like Google Explore and Going that allow users to set flight alerts and be flexible with their travel plans.
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