Savvy Travelers Opt for Skiplagging to Slash Airfare Costs with Hidden-City Tactics
Travel Expert Reveals "Skiplagging" Hack for Cheaper Flights (But Beware the Risks)
By Esther Marshall | Updated: 12:43 BST, 4 June 2025
[Image: Chelsea Dickenson, the "Cheap Holiday Expert," speaking on her podcast]
Travel guru Chelsea Dickenson, known as the "Cheap Holiday Expert," has shared a controversial trick to snag cheaper long-haul flights—skiplagging. On her podcast Passports Please, she explained how the method works, but warned it comes with significant caveats.
What Is Skiplagging?
Skiplagging involves booking a flight with a layover and intentionally exiting at the stopover city instead of continuing to the final destination. The reason? Flights with layovers are often cheaper than direct routes.
Example: Instead of booking a pricey direct flight from London to New York, you might book a London-to-Chicago ticket with a layover in New York. You’d then disembark in New York and skip the second leg to Chicago.
[Image: Flight route map showing London to Chicago with a New York layover]
The Pros and Cons
The Upside:
- Cost Savings: Skiplagging can slash prices, especially for popular direct routes.
The Downsides:
- Airlines Hate It: Carriers lose revenue when seats on the second leg go empty. Repeat offenders risk being blacklisted.
- Luggage Issues: Only works if you travel with hand luggage. Checked bags will continue to the final destination.
- Return Flights: Skiplagging on the outbound journey may void your return ticket.
Social Media Reactions
The TikTok clip of Chelsea’s explanation garnered over 265,000 likes, but commenters highlighted flaws. One user noted, “This only works with hand luggage—your suitcase will end up in Chicago!” Chelsea agreed, adding that attempting this on a round-trip could cancel your return flight.
Final Verdict
While skiplagging might save money, it’s a high-risk strategy. Use it sparingly, pack light, and avoid round-trip bookings. As Chelsea says, “It’s a hack, not a holiday plan.”
[Image: Airplane at an airport with a "No Entry" sign overlay]
For more travel tips, follow Chelsea Dickenson’s podcast Passports Please on TikTok and other platforms.
Word Count: ~600
Key Points: Concise explanation of skiplagging, example, pros/cons, user reactions, and a cautionary conclusion. Images are placed to break up text and illustrate key concepts.
