Skip-logging is a travel hack that airlines don’t want you to know about

If you think longest flights this is always the most expensive route when you fly, think again. Travelers on a budget discovered years ago that some trips actually cost less thanks to a well-known but controversial trick called skipping. This tip, also called the hidden city ticket, can come in handy when tickets to your destination are sold out. But airlines are tired of travelers using this tactic and are taking action in the form of fines, flight cancellations and even life bans.

What is skipplugging?

Skiplagging is a smart but hotly debated travel tip that involves booking a flight with multiple legs but intentionally skipping the last leg to get to a cheaper destination.

Here’s how it works: Imagine you’ve booked a return flight from New York to Paris with a layover in London, but in reality you intend to stay in London. When you arrive in London for a transfer, you simply get off the plane and skip the last leg of your trip to Paris; you never planned to go there at all.

Skip logging is such a popular travel gimmick that even the ex-president’s team Donald Trump used this pattern skip the flight feeThis is stated in documents published in the report of the travel site View From The Wing. Travelers can use this loophole to avoid buying higher fares or getting to their destination despite sold-out direct flights. Airlines are well aware of this practice and strongly discourage it. So before you rush into becoming a pass expert, it’s important to understand that this approach has potential pitfalls.

Why is skipplugging such a controversy?

While not technically illegal, skipping flights raises ethical questions and concerns about cascading effects on the aviation industry. Critics argue that these travel tactics undermine the revenue models that airlines rely on to provide services, potentially driving up prices for other travelers. The hidden sale of city tickets can create a ripple effect on flight availability and prices for future passengers.

In 2014, United Airlines and travel company Orbitz sued the founder of Skiplagged, a website that collects flight data to show travelers what hidden city fares they can book for a destination. The federal lawsuit alleges that the website encouraged customers to violate a contract clause to carry their airline ticket, essentially ignoring the fine print on their ticket’s intended use and violating airline policy.

in 2021, Southwestern Airlines too filed a lawsuit vs Skiplaggedciting issues such as flight delays caused by attempts to find passengers on booked flights who got off during a layover. Impact of Skiplagging on Airline Efficiency was detailed in a 2022 study by University of Utah business professor Jaylynn Oh and University of British Columbia professor Tim Ha, which found that the scheme could lead to higher prices and flight delays.

Although cases related to Skiplagged Eventually canceled or resolved, according to CNN (Skiplagged is still in effect to this day), the noise set a precedent for airlines keen to turn down travelers trying to take advantage of the city’s hidden deals.

What if you get caught jumping?

Although the rules vary by airline, if you are caught jumping, airlines can take action and deduct your frequent flyer miles. Some airlines even explicitly prohibit skipping in their terms and conditions, stating that skipping a leg of your flight can result in fines, including cancellation of return flights without refunds or even suspension of your frequent flyer account. Lifetime bans are also provided for travelers who break the rules.

Another big drawback of practice? Loss of baggage. Because checked baggage often travels to its final destination rather than moving with you from flight to flight, skipping baggage can complicate baggage handling. If you choose to get off at a stop, your luggage may continue the journey without you.

If you’re going to catch it with your carrier of choice, to save a few bucks or to catch the right date/route, just grab your checked baggage and know what the consequences are at stake. In short, skiplag at your own risk.