Airline tickets are obnoxiously expensive. There, I said it. To add insult to injury, these already exorbitant prices only continue soaring over the holidays and during peak travel times like school breaks and summer vacations. But lately, some travelers are attempting to outsmart airlines with a new cost-saving travel hack dubbed “skiplagging.”
“Skiplagging, also known as ‘hidden city ticketing,’ is a controversial travel strategy where a passenger books a multi-city flight with the intent of disembarking at a layover city, taking advantage of a cheaper fare compared to flying directly to that destination,” says travel agent William Lee. In other words, travelers attempt to disguise a desired destination as a layover on the way to a less expensive destination – essentially tricking the airline.
In theory, skiplagging sounds pretty harmless. Some might even say brilliant. But the so-called travel hack isn’t without serious downsides. Here’s what two travel experts really think about skiplagging and whether it’s worth considering for your next vacation.
Experts Featured in This Article
William Lee is a travel agent at Chima Travel specializing in Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and Africa.
Mercedes Zach is a travel expert at ASAP Tickets, a travel booking agency specializing in discounted flights.
What Is Skiplagging?
“Skiplagging means booking a flight with layovers and purposefully departing at a layover before the flight’s final destination,” travel expert Mercedes Zach tells PS. So if you want to travel from Chicago to Denver but the nonstop, direct flight is costly, a skiplagger would book a cheaper flight from Chicago to Los Angeles with a layover in Denver. They would then simply disembark in Colorado and forgo the second half of the ticket.
Why not book a flight directly to your desired location, you ask? Well, this approach is often more cost-efficient than paying for a direct flight. “Due to the competitive nature of the travel market, the cost of a plane ticket is usually calculated based on destination popularity rather than distance, so it’s often cheaper to get off at a layover airport rather than a final destination,” Zach tells PS. “Airfares [with layovers] can also be up to 50 percent cheaper than booking a direct flight, so skiplagging is something many travelers prefer to do instead of overpaying.”
On top of that, skiplagging also gives travelers the option to arrive at a destination where direct flights are sold out, Zach adds.
Downsides of Skiplagging
Although skiplagging appears smart, it’s not without risk. First and foremost, the airlines hate it. “Skiplagging is technically legal, but it is a violation of the terms and conditions most airlines make you agree to before purchasing a ticket,” Zach says. In fact, Delta, Southwest, American, and United don’t allow it.
As a result, airlines reserve the right to remove frequent flyer miles or ban passengers from flying with them in the future if they’re caught skiplagging, Zach explains. “There have even been instances where airlines have pursued civil suits to recover losses from passengers who use this approach.”
Plus, if a particular airline is part of an alliance, such as the Star Alliance, you risk being banned by other airlines in the alliance, Lee adds. For example, suppose you’re caught skiplagging on a United flight and are subsequently banned. You also risk being outlawed by Air China, Air New Zealand, Croatia Airlines, and Lufthansa, among others, he explains. “The airlines are doing everything they can to prevent this from occurring.”
On a logistical level, skiplagging is a nightmare for round-trip travel. Even if you successfully get off mid-trip at your intended destination, it’ll likely only work one way, Zach says. Once the airline realizes you didn’t make it to your ticketed destination, they’re almost certain to cancel your return trip. Rebooking can then cost you a lot more than initially planned.
There are also some ethical concerns with skiplagging, which can impact the broader travel ecosystem, Zach says. “Intentionally gaming the pricing system for personal gain takes advantage of loopholes that hurt the whole industry and its employees, and as skiplagging becomes more common, it can create challenges for airlines in maintaining predictable and sustainable business operations in the long-term,” she explains. And though it’s tough to feel sorry for a massive corporation, skipping on the final leg of a trip can cause operational issues and delays for everyone.
Finally, for my over packers, you can’t check luggage if you plan on skiplagging, since your bags will continue to your ticket’s final destination without you.
So, Is Skiplagging Worth It?
In a word, no. “The risks of skiplagging massively outweigh the reward,” Lee says. “My advice? Don’t do it.”
Zach agrees, noting that while skiplagging seems scrappy on the surface, it’s not a good idea. “I can see why so many travelers find skiplagging appealing, but as an experienced travel agent, I would not recommend this as the best way to save on travel costs,” she says. “I honestly don’t think it’s worth taking such a risk.”
So, while skiplagging can theoretically help you save money, experts agree it’s not worth it. Your best bet for cutting down on travel costs? Consider vacationing during the shoulder season, use travel rewards cards, and stay open to a range of accommodations.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.
