In the world of air travel, there have always been ways to find good deals. One such method that has gained popularity recently is hidden-city ticketing. The essence of it is to purchase a ticket with a connection where the final destination is cheaper than a direct flight to the city you need. But is it worth the risk to save money? Let's figure it out.

How does the "hidden city" scheme work?

Imagine a situation: you want to fly from Kyiv to Lviv. A direct flight costs 1500 hryvnias. But you find a ticket Kyiv – Warsaw – Lviv for 1200 hryvnias. In this case, you buy this ticket, but you do not fly to Warsaw, but stay in Lviv. This is the "hidden city". Airlines often set prices for connecting flights in such a way that they can be cheaper than direct flights, especially if the final destination is not very popular. This is because airlines try to fill planes on all legs of the route and may lower prices on less busy flights.

For example, a flight Kyiv – New York may be more expensive than Kyiv – London – New York. This may seem strange, but airlines use complex pricing algorithms that take into account many factors, including demand, competition, and fuel costs. Therefore, sometimes a connecting ticket can turn out to be more profitable.

Is it legal to buy hidden-city tickets?

Formally, no. Airlines do not approve of such practices and consider it a violation of the terms of carriage. Most contracts of carriage clearly state that the passenger must follow the planned route. If you do not fly to the final destination, the airline may cancel your ticket, block your miles, or even ban you from flying their flights in the future. Although cases of severe punishment are rare, the risk exists.

It is important to understand that airlines are actively fighting this practice. They use complex systems to detect passengers who use hidden-city tickets. If you are detected, the consequences may be unpleasant. Therefore, before buying such a ticket, carefully weigh all the risks.

Risks and disadvantages of hidden-city tickets

  • Ticket cancellation: The airline may cancel your ticket if you do not fly to the final destination.
  • Loss of miles: If you are a member of an airline loyalty program, your miles may be canceled.
  • Flight ban: In the worst case, the airline may ban you from flying their flights in the future.
  • Lack of baggage: Your baggage will be checked to the final destination, so you may be left without your belongings.
  • Difficulty with connection: If your flight is delayed, you may miss your connection and lose your ticket.
  • Need to travel with carry-on luggage only: To avoid baggage problems, you will have to travel with carry-on luggage only.

When can hidden-city tickets be beneficial?

Despite the risks, hidden-city tickets can be beneficial in certain situations. For example, if you are traveling with carry-on luggage only and do not plan to check baggage, the risk of losing your belongings is absent. Also, if you are ready for possible consequences and understand that the airline may cancel your ticket, you can save a significant amount of money. It is also important to choose routes where the probability of detection is low. For example, if you are flying to a large city where there are many flights, you are less likely to be detected than if you are flying to a small city with a limited number of flights.

Advice: Do not use hidden-city tickets for important trips, such as business trips or vacations where you cannot afford to lose your ticket. Also, do not use this practice if you are traveling with children or elderly people who may have difficulty with connections.

How to find hidden-city tickets?

There are several websites and tools that help find hidden-city tickets. One of the most popular is Skiplagged. This site allows you to search for connecting flights and find those where the final destination is cheaper than a direct flight to the city you need. Other websites that can help you find good deals include Google Flights, Kayak, and Momondo. However, remember that these tools do not guarantee that you will find a hidden-city ticket, and you should carefully check all the terms of carriage before purchasing a ticket.

On air-travel.com.ua we offer a wide selection of air tickets at affordable prices. We constantly monitor the market and offer our customers the best deals. Book your air ticket today and travel with comfort!