‘Skiplagging’ Flights Can Save Money. But Is It a Good Idea?

The peak summer travel season is coming to an end, and with school back in session, travelers can take advantage of the “shoulder season” to find cheap fares and enjoy the last bit of summer sun. One method that has gained popularity for saving money on plane tickets is skiplagging, also known as hidden-city ticketing. Skiplagged, a booking site, claims to save flyers hundreds of dollars by showing them flights that airlines don’t want them to see.

But is skiplagging a smart financial decision? According to Skiplagged CEO Aktarer Zaman, the service is useful for anyone looking to save money, but there are limitations. Travelers must be willing to fly “backpack-only” as checking in baggage could result in it being sent to the wrong destination. The general idea behind skiplagging is booking a ticket to a third city that connects in the desired destination, but getting off at the connection point instead of continuing to the final destination. This can save money because the airfare to the connecting city is cheaper than a direct flight to the desired destination.

Henry Harteveldt, president and travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group, explains that skiplagging works because of the illogical realities of airline pricing. It can be cheaper to add an extra flight to an itinerary due to differences in demand and airline competition for certain routes. While hidden-city ticketing has been around for years, Zaman is credited with popularizing it through Skiplagged, which launched in 2013 and now sees thousands of bookings every month.

Despite the potential savings, there are consequences to skiplagging flights. Airlines frown upon this practice as it goes against their terms and conditions and can cost them money. If caught, travelers may be required to compensate the airline for the difference in fare or risk being banned from the loyalty program. While Zaman downplays the risks, Harteveldt warns that the penalties for getting caught can be substantial.

In conclusion, while skiplagging may offer significant savings on airfare, travelers should weigh the risks before deciding to use this method. It’s essential to consider the potential consequences of being caught by the airline and decide if the savings are worth the risk. Ultimately, each traveler must make an informed decision based on their own comfort level and willingness to take on potential penalties. Skiplagged, a popular travel platform, boasts an almost 100% success rate according to their own data from hundreds of thousands of customers. The company, which makes money from service fees amounting to 10% of the fare, offers the Skiplagged Guarantee to reimburse customers for alternate travel arrangements in case of rare issues like flight reroutes or ticket cancellations.

However, Skiplagged has faced legal challenges from major airlines such as United, Southwest, and American. These airlines have sued Skiplagged for various reasons including tortious interference, breach of terms of use, trademark and copyright infringement. While Skiplagged claims to have defeated these lawsuits, they have been ordered to pay significant fines as litigation continues.

The practice of skiplagging, which involves booking flights with the intention of not taking all legs of the journey to save money, is prohibited by many airlines. Delta and Southwest, for example, have policies against hidden city ticketing and may take actions such as cancelling reservations or charging customers the full fare if they engage in this practice.

Despite the risks involved, skiplagging remains a popular strategy for some travelers looking to save money on airfare. It is important for travelers to weigh the potential rewards against the potential consequences before engaging in this practice.

In conclusion, while Skiplagged offers a successful platform for finding discounted flights, travelers should be aware of the legal challenges the company faces and the potential risks associated with skiplagging. It is always advisable to familiarize oneself with airline policies and consider all factors before booking flights through unconventional means.