A controversial hack to save on plane tickets carries a 'super big risk,' says travel expert

cnbc.com:

«Skiplagging» is a money hack for travelers looking to save on airline tickets — but travel experts warn the practice comes with big risks.

Also known as «hidden city ticketing,» the practice is a way to leverage a quirk in airfare pricing.

Here's the basic concept: Rather than fly nonstop to a desired city, a passenger would instead buy a multi-leg flight with a connection in their desired city. The traveler would disembark at the layover stop instead of flying the final leg.

Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet, said travelers would be «surprised» to learn how often skiplagging is cheaper for fliers than buying a direct flight to their end destination.

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However, the practice also peeves airlines. In fact, many prohibit it — with a varying degree of consequences if a passenger is caught.

Skiplagging has «been around for a while,» said David Slotnick, senior aviation business reporter at The Points Guy.

However, «it's controversial,» he said.

«I think it reveals a bizarre and counterintuitive way the airline-pricing model works,» Slotnick said. «But in terms of being able to take advantage of that to save money, it's a super big risk and you probably shouldn't do it unless you fully understand what you're doing.»

It has become easier to engage in the practice due to online travel bookings, including via sites like Skiplagged.com that specialize in such bookings, French said.

Skiplagged.com has a series of frequently asked questions that speak to some of the associated risks, and advice for working around them.

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