The practice of “skiplagging” is increasing, as travelers do not show up for parts of their journey

European airfares for US travelers are currently at an all-time high – with a staggeringly expensive average of $1,167 per ticket – and to save money, ‘skiplagging’ has once again become a popular travel trend.

The concept works as follows: A passenger books a flight from point A to point B with a stopover at the desired destination and does not board the connecting flight to point B. This often results in significant savings on tickets.

For example, according to Skyscanner, a round-trip flight from New York to Amsterdam in mid-June with Dutch airline KLM costs from US$2,457.

However, rebalancing the booking to set the final destination in London with a stopover in Amsterdam and using two different airlines reduced Google Flight’s round-trip fare to $1,208.

European airfares for US travelers are currently at an all-time high – with a staggeringly expensive average of $1,167 per ticket (stock image)

The concept of “skiplagging” works as follows: a passenger books a flight from point A to point B with a stopover at the desired destination and does not board the connecting flight to point B

However, these so-called “Hidden City” tariffs only work without checked baggage and are associated with a considerable risk.

American Airlines, for example, calls it “unethical” and threatens to deny boarding, cancel the return flight, or charge those caught the fare difference.

Insiders recommend those taking a risk on a Hidden City fare book a one-way ticket to avoid a return flight cancellation.

Some airlines have taken a very firm stance on this matter.

In 2019, Lufthansa was fed up with suing a passenger for skipping. The airline claimed the passenger took advantage of the ticketing system.

The man was supposed to fly from Seattle to Frankfurt and then to Oslo – but he didn’t manage to fly from Frankfurt to Oslo and flew to Berlin instead in April 2016.

The passenger saved $2,308 on the original booking by purchasing a multi-stop ticket instead of a single stop.

He paid 6,224 Norwegian kroner (US$560) for his return ticket to Seattle.

But Lufthansa claimed he should have paid 2,769 euros ($2,963) and demanded 2,112 euros ($2,260) plus interest.

According to German court filings, the case was dismissed because the airline failed to fully explain how it arrived at the €2,112 (US$2,260) in compensation.

The flight booking website Skiplagged.com takes advantage of this gap. The site even boasts, “Our flights are so cheap, United (Airlines) sued us…but we won.”

Skiplagged.com offers dozens of flights, with “Skiplagged” fares being offered in addition to the standard fares

Lufthansa attempted to appeal the case but later withdrew the lawsuit.

The German airline has taken a stand because it is more affected by the practice than most other airlines.

Because many of their flights pass through the hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.

However, as with many airlines, when purchasing tickets through Lufthansa, the terms and conditions make it clear that this is not permitted.

However, travel professionals emphasize that the money-saving technique is not illegal.

The flight booking website takes advantage of this gap Skiplagged.com. The site even boasts, “Our flights are so cheap that United (Airlines) sued us… but we won.”

Dozens of flights are offered, with the “Skiplagg” fares also being displayed in addition to the standard fares.

However, travelers are warned not to use this practice too often as airlines could pick up on it and penalize you.

It’s also recommended that you don’t link “skipped” flights to frequent flyer accounts because if you do, “the airline could void your accumulated miles.”

Dozens of travelers shared their views on the skiplagging issue on Reddit.

One commenter wrote, “One time probably fine, but don’t make a pattern out of it.”

Another made a similar statement, warning: “You only get banned if you do it a lot.”

‘I’ve done it a few times on different airlines but last time I did it pre Covid lol ‘So… use but don’t abuse.’

A skiplagger shared some tips with others, saying sometimes they “didn’t say anything and just left the airport with no consequences.”

On a couple of other occasions, they called the airline and explained a fake personal emergency “preventing me from flying the last few legs.”