Traveling is an expensive hobby, there’s no doubt about that. So, any way to save money on airfares is appreciated by avid flyers.
Throwaway ticketing, also known as ‘skiplagging’, has become popular over recent years, with many sharing their stories on how they have saved hundreds of dollars using the method.
Throwaway ticketing can save you a lot of money (Getty Stock Photo)
What is throwaway ticketing?
Katy Nastro, from Going.com, explained how the viral price-slashing trend works.
“However, you found a flight from Orlando to Richmond via New York and that’s only $88, which is a pretty nice savings.”
Nastro continued: “However, you got off in New York and you paid a fraction of the price for that direct flight price, but you bought a connecting flight.
“So, in essence, it’s basically like you bought a direct flight without the direct flight cost.”
Mike Bolen, a real estate investor who’s based in California, recently discovered the method for himself.
The dangers of throwaway ticketing
While throwaway ticketing is not illegal, airlines are trying to combat it as they are effectively losing money.
A teen has even been detained at an airport after using the money-saving scheme, while others have had a nightmare experience, suggesting it’s not all risk-free.
Jesse Collier explained to Business Insider how a trip to New York from Los Angeles using the throwaway ticketing scheme was a ‘nightmare’.
The ‘hack’ does come with its fair share of risks (Getty Stock Photo)
Costing just $146 using the method rather than a $400 one-way ticket, Jesse bagged a bargain, but it certainly wasn’t worth it.
With the ticket, Jesse was permitted just one bag, though she quickly realized that would be going to Buffalo and she wouldn’t be able to collect it in New York.
“I found myself caught in this cycle of calling the customer-service line, being told that they would put my bag on a plane to New York City and that I could either have it delivered or go pick it up, only to be ghosted hours later and be told my bag never made it on that plane,” Jesse said.
She spent the next two days in the same clothes she boarded the plane in, before getting her bag delivered to her NYC Airbnb at the cost of $60.
So, while it might be tempting, it’s probably wise to avoid this ‘hack’…
