What is Skiplagging?
Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing, is a travel strategy that savvy flyers use to save money on airfare. Essentially, skiplagging involves booking a flight where the intended destination is not the final stop on the itinerary but rather a layover city. The traveler then disembarks at the layover city, skipping the final leg of the flight. This tactic takes advantage of the sometimes illogical pricing models that airlines use, where a flight with a layover might be cheaper than a direct flight to the layover city itself.
Example of Skiplagging
For instance, if you want to fly from New York to Chicago, you might find that a flight from New York to Los Angeles with a layover in Chicago is cheaper than a direct flight from New York to Chicago. By booking the flight to Los Angeles and disembarking in Chicago, you effectively save money using skiplagging.
How Does Skiplagging Work?
The mechanics of skiplagging are relatively straightforward, but they require careful planning. Here’s how it typically works:
Step 1: Finding the Flight
Travelers use platforms like Skiplagged, which specializes in uncovering hidden city flights. These tools search for routes where the layover city is cheaper than the final destination, allowing users to identify flights that meet their skiplagging criteria.
Step 2: Booking the Ticket
Once a suitable flight is found, the traveler books the ticket as if they were flying to the final destination. It’s important to book one-way tickets since not completing the final leg of a round-trip ticket could result in the airline canceling the return flight.
Step 3: Day of Travel
On the day of travel, the passenger checks in, ideally with carry-on luggage only, to avoid complications with checked baggage that would be sent to the final destination. The traveler then flies to the layover city and disembarks, bypassing the last segment of the journey.
Key Considerations
- Luggage: Only carry-on luggage is recommended since checked bags would automatically be sent to the final destination.
- Frequent Flyer Accounts: Skiplagging may violate the terms and conditions of frequent flyer programs, risking points or account closure.
- Repeat Usage: Regularly using this tactic could lead to repercussions from the airline, such as being flagged in their system or having your account banned.
Risks and Legalities of Skiplagging
Skiplagging, while potentially cost-saving, carries significant risks and legal concerns. The primary issue is that airlines view skiplagging as a violation of their terms of service. When a passenger skips the final leg of their journey, it disrupts the airline’s pricing structure, leading them to take various punitive actions against those who practice it.
Airline Penalties
Airlines have strict policies against skiplagging, and consequences for passengers can include:
- Canceled Return Flights: If you skip a leg on a round-trip ticket, the airline may cancel your return flight, leaving you stranded or having to purchase a new ticket at a potentially higher cost.
- Frequent Flyer Account Termination: Airlines may penalize frequent flyers by revoking miles or even closing accounts if they detect a pattern of skiplagging.
- Legal Action: While rare, airlines have pursued legal action against passengers or platforms promoting skiplagging. This is based on the claim that skiplagging violates the contractual agreement when purchasing a ticket.
Legal Concerns
Though skiplagging is not illegal in the sense of breaking a law, it breaches the contract you agree to when purchasing a ticket. This contractual violation is what airlines use to justify their penalties. Regularly using skiplagging could lead to being flagged by airlines, risking your ability to book future flights with certain carriers.
Is Skiplagged Legit?
Skiplagged is a legitimate platform designed to help travelers find hidden city fares. The website gained attention for its innovative approach to uncovering cheaper flights by highlighting routes that include layovers in the traveler’s desired destination.
How Skiplagged Works
Skiplagged scours the web for flight routes where the final destination is cheaper than the layover city, offering users the option to book these tickets and disembark at the layover. The platform operates legally and transparently, providing a valuable service to cost-conscious travelers.
Considerations for Users
- User Responsibility: While Skiplagged is legal, the responsibility falls on the traveler to understand the risks involved in skiplagging. It’s essential to weigh the potential savings against the possibility of airline penalties.
- Practical Use: If you choose to use Skiplagged, it’s recommended to book one-way tickets, avoid checking luggage, and be aware of the potential consequences for frequent flyer accounts.
Pros and Cons of Skiplagging
Skiplagging, while offering significant savings, comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks that every traveler should consider before booking a hidden city fare.
Pros
- Cost Savings: The most significant advantage of skiplagging is the potential for substantial cost savings. By exploiting the peculiarities of airline pricing, travelers can often find cheaper fares by booking flights with layovers in their intended destination.
- More Options: Skiplagging can open up more options, particularly on routes where direct flights are prohibitively expensive.
- Flexibility: For travelers with flexible schedules and carry-on luggage only, skiplagging offers a practical way to reach their destination without breaking the bank.
Cons
- Risk of Penalties: As previously mentioned, airlines can impose penalties for skiplagging, including canceling return flights, revoking frequent flyer miles, or even banning travelers from future flights.
- Checked Luggage Issues: If you check luggage, it will be sent to the final destination, not the layover city, making skiplagging impractical unless you travel with carry-on luggage only.
- Unpredictability: If your flight is rerouted, or if there are changes to the itinerary, your entire plan could be disrupted, potentially leaving you stranded.
Alternative Strategies to Skiplagging
If the risks of skiplagging outweigh the potential savings for you, there are alternative strategies to consider that can still help you save money on flights.
Use Flight Comparison Tools
Flight comparison tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak can help you find the cheapest fares across various airlines without the need to resort to skiplagging. These tools aggregate flights from multiple airlines, allowing you to compare prices and find the best deal.
Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards
Leveraging travel rewards credit cards can significantly reduce your travel costs. Many credit cards offer points or miles for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or other travel expenses. Some cards also offer sign-up bonuses that can be enough to cover a round-trip flight.
Book in Advance
Planning and booking your flights well in advance can often result in lower prices. Airlines tend to increase prices as the departure date approaches, so securing your tickets early can save you money.
Consider Budget Airlines
Budget airlines like Spirit, Ryanair, and Southwest often offer significantly lower fares than major carriers. While these flights may come with fewer amenities, they can be an excellent option for travelers looking to save money.
Be Flexible with Dates and Times
Flexibility in your travel dates and times can lead to substantial savings. Mid-week flights, early morning, or late-night departures are often cheaper than those during peak travel times.
In conclusion, while skiplagging can offer significant savings, the associated risks make it a strategy that should be used with caution. Alternative strategies, such as using flight comparison tools, taking advantage of credit card rewards, and booking in advance, can also help you save money on flights without the potential downsides of skiplagging.
