August 9th 2024.
Have you given this a try yet? Are you on the lookout for a way to save some money on your next flight? I'm sure you are, just like the rest of us. Well, there's a popular hack that's been making its way around TikTok once again, and it could potentially save you some cash on your next trip abroad. It's called "skiplagging", "hidden city", or "throwaway ticketing", and it involves booking a flight with a layover. But here's the catch - the layover airport is actually your desired destination, so you never end up flying the entire route.
This method works because flights with layovers that are further away are often cheaper than direct flights that are closer to home. It's a well-known trick among seasoned travelers, and it has become so popular that there is even a website dedicated to it called Skiplagged.com. The website's main goal is to "expose loopholes in airfare pricing to save you money", so they are constantly on the lookout for deals and alert their users about them.
However, this hack has sparked some controversy, as some airlines have tried to sue Skiplagged's CEO, Aktarer Zaman, claiming that it is illegal. United Airlines and Orbitz were among the first to take legal action, but Zaman maintains that his company operates within the law. American Airlines also filed a lawsuit, stating that Skiplagged uses "unauthorized and deceptive ticketing practices" and that every ticket used on the website is at risk of being invalidated.
There have also been cases where airlines have tried to sue passengers who have used this method. In one instance, Lufthansa attempted to sue a passenger who paid £600 for flights but didn't board the final leg of the trip. The airline claimed that the passenger should have paid £2,769, but the court ruled in the passenger's favor. As a result, airlines have become more strict about skiplagging and have imposed fines, removed loyalty air miles, and even banned passengers from future flights for attempting to disembark before their final destination.
One important thing to keep in mind is that this hack only works if you don't have checked baggage, as it is automatically transferred between planes, making it impossible to pick up at the layover stop. Also, this method cannot be used with return tickets, as skipping one portion of the flight will result in the entire reservation being canceled. If you do plan on using this hack for a round trip, you will need to book two separate one-way tickets.
Travel blogger Cassie Aran shared her experience with skiplagging, stating that her first attempt was successful, but her second one was a disaster. As she was walking to the departures lounge, she was stopped by the check-in desk and warned that she would be blacklisted by the airline for life if she didn't board the onward flight. "I didn't know the consequences would be that serious," she said. "The whole situation really scared me."
Have you ever tried this travel hack? Do you have a story to share about your experience? We'd love to hear from you! You can reach us by emailing us at [email]. Happy travels!
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
