What is Skiplagging? And Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Do It
The price of flying is so dang expensive, we will try to do anything to save a few bucks.
This includes a clever new trend to plan for “Skiplagging” when booking your flight.
But, you need to think twice before you use this shortcut tactic to try to cheat your way into a cheaper trip.
Skiplagging could mean unfortunate consequences for you — and you may not even be aware it really isn’t allowed, so be careful.
What Is “Skiplagging?”
You may hear it referred to as “hidden city ticketing.”
On the surface, skiplagging might seem like a legit way to save some money on your flight.
You book a cheaper flight that has a layover in the intended city — and then you just don’t take the second leg of the trip.
So, for instance, you want to take a trip to Paris, but flight prices to Paris are insanity.
You book a flight to Brussels with a layover in Paris — because it’s cheaper than just flying straight to Paris, even though that’s where you really want to go.
You end up with an easy straight shot to Paris, and then just skip that pesky 2nd half of the flight to Brussels.
I mean, who’s it hurting? You paid for the flight, right?!? Who cares if you actually take up a seat or not?
Unfortunately, the airlines care.
Skiplagging May Get You Banned From Flights
In most cases, skiplagging actually violates airline policy.
Duh. It’s taking money out of their pockets. Of course they don’t agree with it.
According to Huffpost, “if you read the fine print of the terms and conditions of any airline policy, you will realize that skiplagging is technically a breach of the airline’s ‘contract of carriage.’”
This is the “contract” that you have to abide by when flying with the airline.
Skiplagging may not be illegal, per se, but the airlines can actually ban you from future flights for violating their “contract of carriage.”
Skiplagging May Void Your Travel Insurance
If you read the terms of your travel insurance, they cover things like lost baggage, flight delays, and cancellations.
But, if you willingly skip part of your trip, and then lose your baggage or miss another flight, your travel insurance probably won’t pay.
This can be a costly mistake!
Skiplagging May Cause You To Lose Earned Frequent Flyer Miles
Airlines tend to frown upon losing money — which they will do if you participate in skiplagging.
They reserve the right to dock your Frequent Flyer Miles if you are caught skiplagging your vacay.
You can actually be banned from ever earning Frequent Flyer Miles with the airlines in the future.
This can be detrimental to your plans if you rely on accumulated Frequent Flyer Miles to plan trips.
Skiplagging May Luggage Problems
Checked luggage is usually sent on to your final destination, which can be a bit of a problem if you choose to skip the last leg of your journey.
“No prob,” you might be thinking. “I’ll just carry on all my belongings.”
Well, my friend, what happens if the flight is full, and they insist you check your bags at the gate?
It happens more than you might think.
Skiplagging May Cause Scheduling Problems
So, this gets kind of complicated, but let’s say you book that flight to Brussels, with a layover in Paris — remember, you got off in Paris.
If there happens to be plane trouble or weather related issues in Brussels for your return flight, it might be canceled.
If that flight is canceled, you could be stuck in Paris with no return flight.
That would force you to have to fork out the additional funds for a return flight home from Paris.
So, to sum up, you might want to think twice before skiplagging.
You can try something else to save a buck — like look for airports that are slightly removed from your destination.
That might mean you have to drive further, but might ultimately save you money and hassle.
