Why Airlines Hate The 'Skiplagging' Travel Hack That Can Save You Money
Given the rising costs of air travel to virtually any destination, it's no wonder that travelers are continuously finding ways to save money. The quest for affordable airfares has spawned an extensive array of purported money-saving hacks, ranging from booking flights in incognito mode to subscribing to alerts for price drops. Apparently, skiplagging has also been picking up steam, which is particularly loathed by airlines, and for a good reason — it messes with their bottom line.
Skiplagging — also known as hidden city ticketing and point-beyond ticketing — is essentially a travel loophole taken advantage of by some savvy travelers, much to the disdain of airlines. In a nutshell, it involves booking a flight that includes a layover, only to intentionally ditch the final leg of the trip. So if you're looking to fly, say, from Los Angeles to Atlanta but stumbled upon a ticket to Miami with an Atlanta layover that's cheaper than direct, you book and board that flight to save money and abandon the rest of the trip.
Although skiplagging isn't explicitly illegal (or at least not yet anyway), it can put you in a precarious position with airlines. The practice results in financial losses for carriers, so much so that they have started cracking down on repeat offenders and penalizing them. For example, some skiplaggers have had their bookings voided, while some have found themselves owing the airlines a ton of money. So, is saving a few dollars really worth jeopardizing your relationship with your favorite carrier?
Airlines bleed money when passengers abuse skiplagging
To be fair, skiplagging isn't always a deliberate attempt to outsmart airlines. Passengers may sometimes face some unforeseen circumstances that render them unable to board the next leg of their trip. Some travelers, however, exploit the loophole, so airlines have no choice but to create policies prohibiting the practice completely. Sure, skiplagging can save you money, but in doing so, airlines lose money.
Direct flights are priced differently than those with layovers, Tim Huh, a professor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business who has extensively studied skiplagging, told NPR. When travelers who book non-direct flights bypass the rest of their trip, they leave seats vacant that could have otherwise been sold, resulting in financial repercussions for the carriers. "They are selling that seat with a 95% probability that you'll show up," Huh told NPR. "That's what the airline accounted for. So that's a [big] loss in the system."
Travel expert Phil Dengler also explained that skiplagging has other ripple effects. It could cause operational disruptions and create unnecessary hassles, especially for on-ground personnel. "Additionally, your airline knows you were on the first flight and are at the airport. The gate agents may call your name out or slightly delay closing the doors," he shared with CNN Travel. "Besides losing money, it creates additional stress for airline staff."
Don't make a habit out of skiplagging
While skiplagging won't put you behind bars, doing it repeatedly may attract the attention of airlines. If caught, expect more than just a slap on the wrist. "The more a traveler does it, the higher likelihood an airline is going to say, 'Hey, you've missed your end destination three, four, five times,'" Dan Gellert, COO of Skiplagged.com, a site that helps travelers find hidden city tickets, told ABC News. "That is going to raise some flags internally."
American Airlines once charged a passenger roughly $2,500 to recoup their losses for 52 instances of skiplagging. In 2023, Queen City News reported that the same carrier caught a teenager intending on skiplagging before he could even board, canceled his ticket, and asked his family to pay for a direct flight. Other airlines have also banned the practice, with United outlining in its contract of carriage that passengers caught doing it may be permanently banned, fined, or face legal consequences.
Ultimately, the risks far outweigh any temporary financial gains. Industry expert Clint Henderson advises against even attempting it. "What if you are last to board, and they make you check your carry-on? You'll be in trouble, because your bag will end up in the wrong city," he told The Washington Times. "The airlines can take your loyalty account, ban you from the airline and even sue you. It's definitely not worth the risk to try this just to save a few dollars. Don't do it!"