Gerrard Kaonga
Finding ways to save money when planning a trip is normally heralded as a God send but some airlines are beginning to crackdown down on 'skiplagging'.
Never heard of skiplagging? Neither had I but the process seems quite ingenious and a great way to save money when booking flights.
Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing or throwaway ticketing, is a way for customers to essentially buy cheaper tickets but end up the same destination.
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You basically book yourself onto the cheaper flight and simply don't bother to get your connection because you've already landed in the place you were hoping to travel to.
While it isn’t strictly an illegal practice, airlines aren't best pleased with skiplagging as it essentially means they lose money.
Katy Nastro, from Going.com, explained how skiplagging worked in practice while speaking to National Desk.
“For example, say you wanted to fly from Orlando to New York. You know, see the city, but the price tag is a little bit out of budget. Maybe it’s $150,” she said.
“However, you found a flight from Orlando to Richmond via New York and that’s only $88, which is a pretty nice savings."
Nastro continued: “However, you got off in New York and you paid a fraction of the price for that direct flight price, but you bought a connecting flight.
“So, in essence, it’s basically like you bought a direct flight without the direct flight cost.”
The practice has become so popular that ticket buying websites have begun popping up, most notably skiplagged.com. The website even has a brazen brag on its front page that reads: "Our flights are so cheap, United sued us... but we won."
Phil Dengler, co-founder of travel advice site The Vacationer, spoke to CNN and explained the difficulties it causes airlines.
He said: “Airlines do not like skiplagging because it costs them money. Flights with connections are generally cheaper than nonstop flights because airlines have a lower price ceiling for them.
“Skipping the final leg ensures the flight will have an empty seat that the airline could have otherwise sold for more money to someone looking to fly nonstop. While the plane will be a bit lighter, airlines have decided any fuel savings do not offset the price of the lost ticket sale.
“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. Besides losing money, it creates additional stress for airline staff.”
Though we definitely do not recommend it, it is important to note that skiplagging would only work with carry-on luggage as anything that is checked in would end up at the destination you won’t be ending your trip at.