A flight attendant has warned people heading to an airport to never make the same mistake as her friend as if they do, they could risk being banned from some airlines. Cautioning against doing the money-saving “hack”, Tor, who chose not to share her surname or the airline she works for, shared that her friend has allegedly been banned from flying with American Airlines after using the controversial tip.
The so-called money-saving hack is called ‘skiplagging’ and happens when a person books a multi-city flight to an unintended destination, because one of the layovers is in your actual destination. People sometimes do this as it can be cheaper than purchasing a direct flight.
Because of this, some airlines are now cracking down on the practice, leading to Tor sharing a cautionary tale, reports Luxury Travel Daily. Sharing the warning to TikTok, Tor explains: “There are some sites that let you buy flights – let’s say to New York, and there’s a connection in Washington DC, and it’s cheaper to do the connection to Washington DC and then go to New York.
“But let’s say your actual destination is Washington DC. If they catch you not going on that next flight to New York, you’re going to get banned from the airline. This is a very serious thing, because they flag you.”
Revealing it was her friend’s first time doing this 'hack', she said that suspicions were raised with the gate agent on her first flight warning her she needed to board the final flight. The flight attendant guessed her friend was caught due to having a Washington DC address and now says the friend is “100% banned” adding: "Definitely would not recommend doing.”
On her TikTok video, which has gained hundreds of likes, views and comments, one wrote: “Omg I didn’t know that they actually ban you for this. Some people make it so obvious and come check in a bag and ask to short check their bag to pick up at the connecting flight destination. We know and the red flags go up…”.
Someone else shared: “Skiplagging is definitely a no-no. If you do it once a year with some normal flights in between you will be okay. But yeah lifetime ban and it usually carries over to any airline that codeshares.” [sic]
“Hidden cities are not allowed. Most people don’t read the fine print where it says don’t have a carry-on, backpack only because when they check your bag it’s a [red flag],” another user wrote.
Someone else commented: “I have always wondered about this, now I know. I don't see why they care. If you don't show, they can just sell your seat to someone on standby.”
Another viewer wrote: “And yet airlines make people miss their connections all the time. It’s not like they can’t give someone else your seat.”
Another user agreed: “This is so f*ing stupid. What difference does it make if you don't finish your trip?”
Someone else wondered: “I don’t see anything wrong with this."