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United Is Cracking Down on Skiplagging Customers

United Airlines is closing in on skiplagging customers, No Mas Coach reports. The practice lets passengers book cheap connecting flights only to see travelers intentionally disembark at their layover airport. United has been especially active in pursuing those who indulge in the dubious practice.

United Airlines is closing in on skiplagging customers, No Mas Coach reports. Explaining the practice, also known as “hidden city ticketing,” the outlet describes a hypothetical travel scenario.

“Lets say that you want to fly to Seattle from Minneapolis. You can fly that route on either Alaska or Delta as they service it non stop. Because it is a non stop flight (and non stop is in demand) you’ll see, perhaps, a slightly higher price. Seattle to Dallas, on the other hand, is not serviced by Delta directly. It is, however, served by both Alaska and American, and in order for Delta to be competitive on that route, they’re going to have to route you probably through Minneapolis,” explains the outlet’s Jon Nickel-D’Andrea.

“No one in their right mind would proactively fly to Minneapolis before heading to Texas, so they’re going to heavily discount that flight in order to garner your business. Since you really only want to get to Minneapolis and not to Dallas, you just get off the plane in Minneapolis (since you’re connecting through) and you’re on your way,” Nickel-D’Andrea.

Though not technically illegal, it appears that skiplagging is causing carriers some trouble. In fact, it appears that United Airlines is now actively pursuing those who engage in the practice.

In fact, as Nickel-D’Andrea explains, United sent a letter to his friend’s husband, outlining time, date and cost of each offence.

The letter, excerpts of which can be viewed here, adds that skiplagging, “constitutes fraud and a violation of Rule 6 of United’s Contract of Carriage. Accordingly, United demands … that you reimburse United in the amount of $3,236.76 which represents the difference between the cost of the tickets that you purchased and the cost of the travel taken…”.

While skiplagging is certainly questionable, Inc.com‘s Chris Matyszczyk queried United’s motives in sending the letter, saying, “All that skiplagging customers do is take advantage of a loophole in the airline’s own systems … Sometimes, you have to accept that some customers are clever, or even a touch slippery, and deal with it in an intelligent way.”

[Photo: Shutterstock]

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68 Comments
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nittfan October 19, 2018

As far as the "bill" is concerend, if it was not sent certified or registered mail - throw it in the trash. No way to prove you ever received the bill (just like being summoned for jury duty ........ no way to prove your received it). I've never done the hidden cities/skiplagging since I am merely a leisure time flyer, but I too would be concerned about cancelled or rerouted flights.

K
kkua October 18, 2018

I tried it on an international trip... almost met with a disaster in Rome FCO. As a seasoned traveller (2MM under my belt), I say avoid it. There are ways to trace the charges back to you, especially if your frequent flier information has already been captured.

J
Jinxed_K October 18, 2018

Think the only way to eliminate this is if airlines take a distance based pricing structure like railways do? Though I suppose this opens another can of worms where flying from JFK-EWR will need to connect through LAX so the airline can maximize profits.

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Gig103 October 18, 2018

The legacy US airlines all have skiplaggers, but only UA is being arrogant and combative about it. The legacy US airlines all have basic economy but only UA is not allowing a full size carry-on. The legacy US airlines all have an elite dollar qualifier, but only UA blocks partner flights. Does anyone choose UA that isn't hub captive?!

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jjonathan October 18, 2018

UNITED (and American) continue to tell us WHY they are the worst airline(s) in the world. WHY do we keep flying them? Is is possibly because there are/is no other choice?