Skiplagging, also known as “hidden city ticketing,” is a clever strategy used by travelers to save on the cost of plane tickets. The principle is relatively simple: instead of booking a direct flight to their final destination, travelers choose an itinerary that includes a stopover at their destination, but without intending to take the last portion of the flight. This avoids the often higher price of a direct ticket.
Let’s take a concrete example: say a traveler wants to go from New York to Miami, but direct flights are expensive. Instead, he could find a cheaper flight that has a layover in Atlanta, but whose original route continues to Dallas. The traveler would therefore book this flight and get off in Miami during the layover in Atlanta, thus bypassing the last part of the flight to Dallas.
However, there are a few things to consider. First of all, this practice is more effective on long-haul flights or those with popular stopovers. Additionally, it is essential to book flights as one-way trips because if any portion of the flight is missed, airlines often cancel subsequent flights on the same route.
That said, airlines do not look favorably on skiplagging. They consider this method a violation of their pricing policies and may take action against travelers who use it regularly. This could go as far as suspending their loyalty programs or even banning flights with certain companies.
In conclusion, skiplagging is an ingenious strategy for saving money on plane tickets, but it requires careful planning and carries risks. It is recommended not to overuse it and to familiarize yourself with airline policies to avoid any inconvenience.
