A flight attendant is sounding the alarm on a practice known as “skiplagging.” This involves booking a multi-city ticket to snag cheaper fares but then not completing all the legs of the trip.
A caption from a related video warns, “how you can get banned from the airlines… #airlines #aviation #flighthacks #americanairlines #cheapflights #banned.”
In the clip, the attendant shares a friend’s experience of getting banned from American Airlines for attempting to skiplag. She elaborates: “Some websites let you buy flights to a place like New York with a stop in Washington, D.C. If your true destination is D.C. but you skip the New York leg, the airline can ban you for it. It’s serious; they’ll flag you.”
In July 2023, a 17-year-old was banned from American Airlines for three years after attempting to end his trip in Charlotte rather than New York, using a lower-cost skiplagging ticket. This led to a lawsuit by American Airlines against Skiplagged, a website specializing in revealing the cheapest flights, including skiplagging options. The airline accused Skiplagged of misleading ticketing practices.
The consequences for skiplagging can be severe: bans may be lengthy or permanent, and passengers could face fare adjustments or penalties, including the suspension of frequent flyer accounts.
Is Skiplagging Illegal?
While skiplagging isn’t illegal, most airlines prohibit the practice within their terms and conditions. American Airlines specifically states that “reservations made to exploit or circumvent fare rules are prohibited,” including hidden city ticketing.
Transgressions could lead to various consequences such as:
- Cancellation of unused ticket segments.
- Denial of boarding or checked luggage.
- No refunds on otherwise refundable tickets.
- Charges for what the fare would have been without the deceitful booking.
- Reimbursement for any compensation provided, like luggage delivery.
Major airlines like Delta, United, and Southwest Airlines also ban skiplagging.
Experts advise caution regarding skiplagging. As stated by Neugarten from Dollar Flight Club, “Airlines can cancel your return ticket or ban you for years. While it can save money, there are safer ways to find flight deals, like setting up alerts or being flexible with your travel dates.”
The Skiplagged website itself advises users to approach skiplagging carefully, noting the potential to upset airlines.