Apr 18, 2013, 9:20 am
Last edit by: Prospero
FAQ: "Missing" or "Skipping Segments": Hidden City, Point Beyond and Throw Away Ticketing
Q. What will happen if I "skip" a segment?
A. Skipping an intermediate or end segment is most often referred to as "Hidden City / Point Beyond Ticketing" by American Airlines, and “skiplagging” by others; doing so invalidates the contract you have with AA regarding your ticket. AA will at least cancel the remaining segments. If the reason for missing a segment is to drop the last segment to save money on a more expensive ticket to the intermediate destination, it is called a "Hidden City / Point Beyond" ticket. American Airlines states, in the Conditions of Carriage (and more existentially in Tariff Rule 100AA):
Link to American Airlines Conditions of Carriage, Ticket Validity.
Q. What about buying a round trip and not flying the return?
"Throw away" ticketing, that is purchasing a less expensive round trip ticket with the intent of not flying the return segments ("throwing away" the return tickets) is similarly frowned upon, but may be acted upon - particularly if this becomes frequent or a pattern
Q. Do American Airlines Corporate Security / AAdvantage Fraud have people and algorithms running in the background that check for these?
Assuredly, yes. Can people be found liable for fees and/or lose their accounts / status / miles? Yes, we have had many reports on FT, and the risk increases for repeaters. Can people be criminally or civilly prosecuted? Doubtful. (Link to article on Contract Fraud.)
Q. Would I get in trouble skipping the final segment?
A. Possibly not, if you don't do this on other than the rare occasion, but there is risk.
Q. Can I short check my baggage?
A. In most cases, you may find it difficult, unless you have an overnight connection, must retrieve your baggage for customs or because your connection does not offer interlining of baggage.
Q. Will I get my EQ and Award Miles.
You will likely accrue miles for the segments you actually flew. But “skiplagging” could result in miles confiscation and potentially account closure.
Q. Can I claim the residual value for the unused segment?
Au contraire; with a hidden city / point beyond ticket, you owe AA money under their rules. United and Lufthansa have billed skiplaggers, AA may have.
Q. What has AA said they can do to me about hidden city or throwaway ticketing?
“Passengers who attempt to use hidden city tickets may be denied boarding, have the remainder of their ticket confiscated and may be assessed the difference between the fare paid and the lowest applicable fare.”
A highly recommended article on this topic is 3 Words on Hidden City Ticketing: Don’t Do It (link) from ExpertFlyer, 27 Feb 2019.
Archived older posts may be read here.
For Conditions of Carriage - Ticket Validity and Letter used by AA:
Q. What will happen if I "skip" a segment?
A. Skipping an intermediate or end segment is most often referred to as "Hidden City / Point Beyond Ticketing" by American Airlines, and “skiplagging” by others; doing so invalidates the contract you have with AA regarding your ticket. AA will at least cancel the remaining segments. If the reason for missing a segment is to drop the last segment to save money on a more expensive ticket to the intermediate destination, it is called a "Hidden City / Point Beyond" ticket. American Airlines states, in the Conditions of Carriage (and more existentially in Tariff Rule 100AA):
American specifically prohibits the practices commonly known as:
Hidden City/Point Beyond Ticketing: Purchase of a fare from a point before the passenger's actual origin or to a point beyond the passenger's actual destination.
Hidden City/Point Beyond Ticketing: Purchase of a fare from a point before the passenger's actual origin or to a point beyond the passenger's actual destination.
Q. What about buying a round trip and not flying the return?
"Throw away" ticketing, that is purchasing a less expensive round trip ticket with the intent of not flying the return segments ("throwing away" the return tickets) is similarly frowned upon, but may be acted upon - particularly if this becomes frequent or a pattern
Q. Do American Airlines Corporate Security / AAdvantage Fraud have people and algorithms running in the background that check for these?
Assuredly, yes. Can people be found liable for fees and/or lose their accounts / status / miles? Yes, we have had many reports on FT, and the risk increases for repeaters. Can people be criminally or civilly prosecuted? Doubtful. (Link to article on Contract Fraud.)
Q. Would I get in trouble skipping the final segment?
A. Possibly not, if you don't do this on other than the rare occasion, but there is risk.
Q. Can I short check my baggage?
A. In most cases, you may find it difficult, unless you have an overnight connection, must retrieve your baggage for customs or because your connection does not offer interlining of baggage.
Q. Will I get my EQ and Award Miles.
You will likely accrue miles for the segments you actually flew. But “skiplagging” could result in miles confiscation and potentially account closure.
Q. Can I claim the residual value for the unused segment?
Au contraire; with a hidden city / point beyond ticket, you owe AA money under their rules. United and Lufthansa have billed skiplaggers, AA may have.
Q. What has AA said they can do to me about hidden city or throwaway ticketing?
“Passengers who attempt to use hidden city tickets may be denied boarding, have the remainder of their ticket confiscated and may be assessed the difference between the fare paid and the lowest applicable fare.”
A highly recommended article on this topic is 3 Words on Hidden City Ticketing: Don’t Do It (link) from ExpertFlyer, 27 Feb 2019.
Archived older posts may be read here.
For Conditions of Carriage - Ticket Validity and Letter used by AA:
AA Hidden City and Point Beyond Ticketing:
Skipping an intermediate or end segment is referred to as "Hidden City / Point Beyond Ticketing" by American Airlines, and doing so invalidates the contract you have with AA regarding your ticket. AA will generally cancel the remaining segments, and if it is dropping the last segment to save money on a more expensive ticket to the intermediate destination, it is called the "Hidden City" ticket.
The entire Conditions of Carriage, the contract that governs your ticket (in additon to the Detailed Fare Rules attached to your fare class and readable prior to purchase), are here: CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE.
The specific language regarding Hidden City and Point Beyond Ticketing is here:
TICKET VALIDITY - COMPLIANCE WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
Tickets are valid for travel only when used in accordance with all terms and conditions of sale. Terms and conditions of sale include but are not limited to:
Where a ticket is invalidated as the result of the passenger's non-compliance with any term or condition of sale, American has the right in its sole discretion to:
In August 2020 AA went after user HappyInTheAir561 for Hidden City Ticketing, demanding payment of $2,500 or permanent closure of his AAdvantage account and loss of 600,000 miles balance. Below is the letter (missing is the 2,500 quote), and there is an entire thread about it here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...rmination.html The user says he ultimately paid the money.
Skipping an intermediate or end segment is referred to as "Hidden City / Point Beyond Ticketing" by American Airlines, and doing so invalidates the contract you have with AA regarding your ticket. AA will generally cancel the remaining segments, and if it is dropping the last segment to save money on a more expensive ticket to the intermediate destination, it is called the "Hidden City" ticket.
The entire Conditions of Carriage, the contract that governs your ticket (in additon to the Detailed Fare Rules attached to your fare class and readable prior to purchase), are here: CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE.
The specific language regarding Hidden City and Point Beyond Ticketing is here:
TICKET VALIDITY - COMPLIANCE WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
Tickets are valid for travel only when used in accordance with all terms and conditions of sale. Terms and conditions of sale include but are not limited to:
- The passenger's itinerary, as stated on the ticket or in the passenger's reservation record,
- Any requirement that the passenger stay over a specified date or length of time (for example, Saturday night or weekend) at the destination specified on the ticket.
- Any special purpose or status (for example, age in the case of senior citizen or children's discounts, military status in the case of a military fare, official government business in the case of a government fare, or attendance at a qualified event in the case of a meeting or convention fare) that entitles the passenger to a special or reduced rate, or
- Any other requirement associated with the passenger's fare level.
- If used for travel to a destination other than that specified on the ticket,
- If the passenger fails to comply with applicable stay-over requirements,
- If the passenger does not meet the purpose or status requirement associated with the fare category on the ticket, or
- If American determines that the ticket has been purchased or used in a manner designed to circumvent applicable fare rules.
- Back to Back Ticketing: The combination of two or more roundtrip excursion fares end to end for the purpose of circumventing minimum stay requirements.
- Throwaway Ticketing: The usage of roundtrip excursion fare for one-way travel, and
- Hidden City/Point Beyond Ticketing: Purchase of a fare from a point before the passenger's actual origin or to a point beyond the passenger's actual destination.
- Duplicate and Impossible/Illogical Bookings: Duplicate or impossible/illogical American Airlines bookings are prohibited without prior authorization from American Airlines. A duplicate or impossible/illogical booking includes, but is not limited to, bookings for the same passenger on flights traveling on or about the same date between one or more of the same or nearby origin and/or destination (such as JFKDFW and LGADFW or DFWLAX and DFWONT), or bookings with connections that depart before the arrival of the inbound flight.
- Fraudulent, Fictitious and Abusive Bookings: Fraudulent, fictitious and/or abusive bookings are prohibited. These types of bookings are defined as any bookings made without having been requested by or on behalf of the named passenger. Additionally, creating bookings to hold or block seats for the purpose of obtaining lower fares, AAdvantage award inventory, or upgrades that may not otherwise be available, or to circumvent any of American Airlines' fare rules or policies, is prohibited without prior authorization from American Airlines.
Where a ticket is invalidated as the result of the passenger's non-compliance with any term or condition of sale, American has the right in its sole discretion to:
- Cancel any remaining portion of the passenger's itinerary,
- Confiscate unused flight coupons,
- Refuse to board the passenger or check the passenger's luggage, or
- Assess the passenger for the reasonable remaining value of the ticket, which shall be no less than the difference between the fare actually paid and the lowest fare applicable to the passenger's actual itinerary
Dear ,
Let me take the opportunity to clarify American Airlines position on hidden city or point beyond ticketing. Purchasing a ticket to a point beyond the actual destination and getting off the aircraft at the connecting point is unethical (sic). It is tantamount to switching price tags to obtain a lower price on goods sold at department stores. Passengers who attempt to use hidden city tickets may be denied boarding, have the remainder of their ticket confiscated and may be assessed the difference between the fare paid and the lowest applicable fare.
Because we compete with other airlines with different route structures, we sometimes find it necessary to give a traveler who is traveling beyond a connecting point a better price than travelers who are just traveling to the connecting point. For example, a passenger who is traveling to Austin, Texas from Los Angeles can go on one airline via Phoenix for a price that is lower than the cost of traveling on American between Los Angeles and Dallas. If we want to offer the same price to Austin as the other airline, but the only way we can get travelers there is via Dallas, we find ourselves charging the Austin passengers less than the Dallas passengers.
Although the issuance and usage of hidden city tickets is not illegal in the sense that one could be fined or sent to jail by the government, it is unethical and a breach of a passengers (sic) contract with AA. Both tariff rule 100AA and American's Condition of Carriage, which are incorporated into every ticket sold by American as part of our agreement to carry the passenger named on the ticket, bar hidden city ticketing. In addition, it violates the agencies' contract to act as an agent for American Airlines.
If American Airlines continues to lose revenue as a result of hidden city transactions, the fares we charge must inevitably rise.
Sincerely,
Let me take the opportunity to clarify American Airlines position on hidden city or point beyond ticketing. Purchasing a ticket to a point beyond the actual destination and getting off the aircraft at the connecting point is unethical (sic). It is tantamount to switching price tags to obtain a lower price on goods sold at department stores. Passengers who attempt to use hidden city tickets may be denied boarding, have the remainder of their ticket confiscated and may be assessed the difference between the fare paid and the lowest applicable fare.
Because we compete with other airlines with different route structures, we sometimes find it necessary to give a traveler who is traveling beyond a connecting point a better price than travelers who are just traveling to the connecting point. For example, a passenger who is traveling to Austin, Texas from Los Angeles can go on one airline via Phoenix for a price that is lower than the cost of traveling on American between Los Angeles and Dallas. If we want to offer the same price to Austin as the other airline, but the only way we can get travelers there is via Dallas, we find ourselves charging the Austin passengers less than the Dallas passengers.
Although the issuance and usage of hidden city tickets is not illegal in the sense that one could be fined or sent to jail by the government, it is unethical and a breach of a passengers (sic) contract with AA. Both tariff rule 100AA and American's Condition of Carriage, which are incorporated into every ticket sold by American as part of our agreement to carry the passenger named on the ticket, bar hidden city ticketing. In addition, it violates the agencies' contract to act as an agent for American Airlines.
If American Airlines continues to lose revenue as a result of hidden city transactions, the fares we charge must inevitably rise.
Sincerely,
Mr. XXXX,
As an analyst with American Airlines, one of my responsibilities is investigating violations of the General AAdvantage® Program Conditions. An audit of your AAdvantage account, determined that you have engaged in the practice known as ‘Hidden City ticketing’; the purchase of a fare to a point beyond your actual destination. Hidden city ticketing is explicitly defined in AA’s Conditions of Carriage as a violation of ticket validity. The Terms and Conditions of the AAdvantage program further state that compliance with the Conditions of Carriage is compulsory for participation in the AAdvantage program. As such, AAdvantage account XXXXXX is restricted, pending the outcome of our investigation. You may review the terms and conditions of the AAdvantage ® program (several parts of the terms and conditions are noted below) by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting it into your browser.
The audit of your account XXXXXwas completed on August xx, 2020. The following reservations were not issued in compliance with the AAdvantage Terms & Conditions, Conditions of Carriage or AA.com Site Usage policy:
52 HIDDEN CITY TICKETS (Included each one of the flights they believe is a hidden city ticket)
Not unlike other commodities, airline seats are market priced. A seat on a non-stop flight is a premium product and commands a higher price. Seats in connecting markets must be priced competitively and hence can be substantially cheaper. The ill-effects of point beyond ticketing are two-fold; the customer receives the flight for a price for which they aren’t entitled and a seat is spoiled on the separate connecting flight. An airline ticket constitutes a contract and the terms of that contract are stated explicitly in the Conditions of Carriage. Please see excerpts below.
Mr.XXXXX, these actions have resulted in clear and considerable losses to American Airlines. In addition to our loss for the travel provided, tickets booked through prohibited practices are considered fraudulent, and therefore not eligible to accrue mileage. In this case, our loss is further compounded through the Elite mileage accruals, benefits, and services used that were not otherwise available. Generally, violations of this nature subject the AAdvantage account to termination. However, we are willing to provide you with an opportunity to restore an equitable relationship through restitution for the loss on your identified travel.
You may respond to this message by 3pm, CST, Friday, August 31, 2020 stating you would like to bring your account back to good standing. At that time, the segments will be re-priced based on your intended travel and we will send you the information so that you may make the appropriate reimbursement for the travel provided. Failure to return the account to good standing or to reply, will result in the termination of your AAdvantage® membership and all its benefits, including all remaining AAdvantage® miles in your account and any award tickets issued from it.
As an analyst with American Airlines, one of my responsibilities is investigating violations of the General AAdvantage® Program Conditions. An audit of your AAdvantage account, determined that you have engaged in the practice known as ‘Hidden City ticketing’; the purchase of a fare to a point beyond your actual destination. Hidden city ticketing is explicitly defined in AA’s Conditions of Carriage as a violation of ticket validity. The Terms and Conditions of the AAdvantage program further state that compliance with the Conditions of Carriage is compulsory for participation in the AAdvantage program. As such, AAdvantage account XXXXXX is restricted, pending the outcome of our investigation. You may review the terms and conditions of the AAdvantage ® program (several parts of the terms and conditions are noted below) by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting it into your browser.
The audit of your account XXXXXwas completed on August xx, 2020. The following reservations were not issued in compliance with the AAdvantage Terms & Conditions, Conditions of Carriage or AA.com Site Usage policy:
52 HIDDEN CITY TICKETS (Included each one of the flights they believe is a hidden city ticket)
Not unlike other commodities, airline seats are market priced. A seat on a non-stop flight is a premium product and commands a higher price. Seats in connecting markets must be priced competitively and hence can be substantially cheaper. The ill-effects of point beyond ticketing are two-fold; the customer receives the flight for a price for which they aren’t entitled and a seat is spoiled on the separate connecting flight. An airline ticket constitutes a contract and the terms of that contract are stated explicitly in the Conditions of Carriage. Please see excerpts below.
Mr.XXXXX, these actions have resulted in clear and considerable losses to American Airlines. In addition to our loss for the travel provided, tickets booked through prohibited practices are considered fraudulent, and therefore not eligible to accrue mileage. In this case, our loss is further compounded through the Elite mileage accruals, benefits, and services used that were not otherwise available. Generally, violations of this nature subject the AAdvantage account to termination. However, we are willing to provide you with an opportunity to restore an equitable relationship through restitution for the loss on your identified travel.
You may respond to this message by 3pm, CST, Friday, August 31, 2020 stating you would like to bring your account back to good standing. At that time, the segments will be re-priced based on your intended travel and we will send you the information so that you may make the appropriate reimbursement for the travel provided. Failure to return the account to good standing or to reply, will result in the termination of your AAdvantage® membership and all its benefits, including all remaining AAdvantage® miles in your account and any award tickets issued from it.
FAQ: Skipping Segment, Hidden City / Point Beyond / Throw Away Ticketing (master thd)
Dec 11, 2020, 3:25 pm
#496
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I didn't explain this fully, but booking the complete trip from GIG to ICT costs me more than a few hundred bucks. It more than doubles the cost for my family of five from about $2,300 to about $5,600.
So I'll definitely be booking two separate trips: one into the U.S. and then the second trip to Wichita. I'm not worried about that piece of it, especially because we'll be coming home so I'm less concerned about baggage problems. The only issue was weather I could feasibly dump the second leg of the flight from Rio to the U.S. but yeah - I agree the problem is that I'd need to find a different carrier to then get me from MIA to ICT and that's where the plan breaks down.
Uggg. Now I know why people dump flights. I had heard about it but never actually experienced it. For one person maybe it doesn't matter so much, but for a family it ADDS UP. Crazy that American wants to charge me nearly $1000 more to take one LESS flight.
So I'll definitely be booking two separate trips: one into the U.S. and then the second trip to Wichita. I'm not worried about that piece of it, especially because we'll be coming home so I'm less concerned about baggage problems. The only issue was weather I could feasibly dump the second leg of the flight from Rio to the U.S. but yeah - I agree the problem is that I'd need to find a different carrier to then get me from MIA to ICT and that's where the plan breaks down.
Uggg. Now I know why people dump flights. I had heard about it but never actually experienced it. For one person maybe it doesn't matter so much, but for a family it ADDS UP. Crazy that American wants to charge me nearly $1000 more to take one LESS flight.
Realistically the issue is there are fewer options to go nonstop so they charge more for it. The more stops, the more possibilities there are.
One option you might try is to look forcing another stop in there.
Have you considered something other GIG to the US nonstop. That is GIG-<Somewhere>-US-DFW-ICT
Carriers other than AA from South America, etc
Last edited by mvoight; Dec 11, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Dec 11, 2020, 4:10 pm
#497
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MSP/BUF/BNA/LFT
Programs: AA Plat, Priority Club Gold, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 1,225
I'm flying me and family from GIG (Rio) to ICT (Wichita). There's lots of ways to do this, but basically you're looking at a nonstop from GIG to either ATL or MIA, and then making your way from there back to ICT.
A direct flight from GIG to MIA costs my family $2,506. But if I book the same flight to ATL *connecting through MIA* (the first leg is exactly the same direct flight to MIA) the total price DROPS to $1,602. So I save $900 is I book this second option. But then I've got to get from ATL to ICT which is another $663 total on United connecting thru Chicago. (Not booking one ticket all the way from GIG to ICT because no economical options). So now I'm up to 4 connecting flights and a total cost of $2,265.
BUT, if I were to book the GIG - MIA - ATL ticket and just dump the final leg to ATL, I could then book from MIA - DFW - ICT for $693. So for basically the same cost, I skip an extra leg of travel and get home faster.
BUT, two questions:
1. I'll be checking bags. But that shouldn't be a problem because I have to claim my bags in MIA to go through customs anyway, right? In other words, the bags won't fly to ATL without my intervention.
2. Not only would I be dumping the second leg, I'd be booking a "conflicting" flight with American for the same day from MIA to ICT. Here's where I think my plans breaks down.
Thoughts?
A direct flight from GIG to MIA costs my family $2,506. But if I book the same flight to ATL *connecting through MIA* (the first leg is exactly the same direct flight to MIA) the total price DROPS to $1,602. So I save $900 is I book this second option. But then I've got to get from ATL to ICT which is another $663 total on United connecting thru Chicago. (Not booking one ticket all the way from GIG to ICT because no economical options). So now I'm up to 4 connecting flights and a total cost of $2,265.
BUT, if I were to book the GIG - MIA - ATL ticket and just dump the final leg to ATL, I could then book from MIA - DFW - ICT for $693. So for basically the same cost, I skip an extra leg of travel and get home faster.
BUT, two questions:
1. I'll be checking bags. But that shouldn't be a problem because I have to claim my bags in MIA to go through customs anyway, right? In other words, the bags won't fly to ATL without my intervention.
2. Not only would I be dumping the second leg, I'd be booking a "conflicting" flight with American for the same day from MIA to ICT. Here's where I think my plans breaks down.
Thoughts?
Just go to Google Flights and search a one-way flight from Rio (All airports) to the United States and narrow the search to oneworld. Note the cheapest destinations
Search the cheapest destinations to your final destination using the same criteria and go with the cheapest/most convenient combo.
For example on Jan 20 RIO-TPA is by far the cheapest at $275 per passenger then TPA-ICT is $129 per passenger, $404 total. Book both tickets on AA and they will treat it as one during IROPS (although they will not check your baggage through).
Dec 11, 2020, 5:54 pm
#499
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: STL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 504
Have you looked at trying to use miles? Availability is excellent right now especially in coach and if you can find enough awards you can buy miles for about 1.75 cents each right now. That would get you back to ICT on one ticket with two stops only and good connections for less than $500 each if you can get the coach awards for 27.5K. Heck you may even want to upgrade to Premium Economy for just a little more. If you find enough awards out there put them on hold and then buy the necessary miles. They will hold the reservations for 5 days while you buy the miles. Buy the miles online unless you do not have a current advantage account in which case open one and then call up to buy the miles as your account has to have been open for a few days before you can buy online. I had family members do this for a similar situation and it worked out great,
Dec 11, 2020, 7:07 pm
#501
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Miles&more, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 536
1. Is not an issue. You will have your bag in hand when clearing CBP in MIA
2. will be caught and both of your tickets will be cancelled. You need to fly a different carrier ex-MIA if you want to do this.
2. will be caught and both of your tickets will be cancelled. You need to fly a different carrier ex-MIA if you want to do this.
Dec 11, 2020, 7:26 pm
#502
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,043
Ah I knew the practice had an official name - just couldn’t remember it. “Hidden City Ticketing.” Great guide here: https://scottscheapflights.com/guide...city-ticketing
The explanation is “supply and demand.” And while I’m all about free markets, this isn’t quite so simple. In this case the airlines are selling *the exact same flight* - same seat and fuel consumed - at two different prices depending upon whether you are making it your final destination or a connection. They are charging more based upon the consumer’s perceived value of a non-stop flight, even though that same exact flight can be had for less money if the customer books it as a connection.
That sort of pricing wouldn’t be acceptable in any other context. Imagine buying a pizza, and the price is $20, but the price would have been $10 total if I had bought 2 pizzas. Same exact first pizza, except I could have gotten double the pizza for half the cost, and the only difference is that this second far better deal was hidden.
But the excuse for airlines is “airline pricing is complicated.” Well, lots of industries have complicated pricing models - this is really more like deceptive.
The explanation is “supply and demand.” And while I’m all about free markets, this isn’t quite so simple. In this case the airlines are selling *the exact same flight* - same seat and fuel consumed - at two different prices depending upon whether you are making it your final destination or a connection. They are charging more based upon the consumer’s perceived value of a non-stop flight, even though that same exact flight can be had for less money if the customer books it as a connection.
That sort of pricing wouldn’t be acceptable in any other context. Imagine buying a pizza, and the price is $20, but the price would have been $10 total if I had bought 2 pizzas. Same exact first pizza, except I could have gotten double the pizza for half the cost, and the only difference is that this second far better deal was hidden.
But the excuse for airlines is “airline pricing is complicated.” Well, lots of industries have complicated pricing models - this is really more like deceptive.
Last edited by xliioper; Dec 11, 2020 at 7:46 pm
Dec 11, 2020, 8:26 pm
#503
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 77
Some really good suggestions here. Thanks all!
The price to book from GIG all the way through to my final destination is insane, but I’m starting to have better luck piecing together flights in and out of ATL. Delta and Atlanta is often best for us when traveling south because its ATL hub has a direct spoke to Wichita.
I’ll have to look into this nonstop LATAM flight from GIG to ATL!
The price to book from GIG all the way through to my final destination is insane, but I’m starting to have better luck piecing together flights in and out of ATL. Delta and Atlanta is often best for us when traveling south because its ATL hub has a direct spoke to Wichita.
I’ll have to look into this nonstop LATAM flight from GIG to ATL!
Dec 12, 2020, 1:41 am
#504
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond, BonVoy Gold, BW Diamond, RR Premium
Posts: 390
Also, have you considered flying to MCI or OKC and a one-way car rental? Not sure if that would be worth your time or not, but Wichita is the type of airport that costs a lot. OKC has netted me quite a few fare savings, for inexplicable reasons. There are direct flights to ATL, which could be a factor. What's 3 hours after all that? If the one-way car rental price isn't bad, that is. But be sure you book the car for 24 hours and not fewer. For some reason that seems to be cheaper--at least from DFW.
Dec 12, 2020, 10:28 am
#506
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Ah I knew the practice had an official name - just couldn’t remember it. “Hidden City Ticketing.” Great guide here: https://scottscheapflights.com/guide...city-ticketing
The explanation is “supply and demand.” And while I’m all about free markets, this isn’t quite so simple. In this case the airlines are selling *the exact same flight* - same seat and fuel consumed - at two different prices depending upon whether you are making it your final destination or a connection. They are charging more based upon the consumer’s perceived value of a non-stop flight, even though that same exact flight can be had for less money if the customer books it as a connection.
That sort of pricing wouldn’t be acceptable in any other context. Imagine buying a pizza, and the price is $20, but the price would have been $10 total if I had bought 2 pizzas. Same exact first pizza, except I could have gotten double the pizza for half the cost, and the only difference is that this second far better deal was hidden.
But the excuse for airlines is “airline pricing is complicated.” Well, lots of industries have complicated pricing models - this is really more like deceptive.
The explanation is “supply and demand.” And while I’m all about free markets, this isn’t quite so simple. In this case the airlines are selling *the exact same flight* - same seat and fuel consumed - at two different prices depending upon whether you are making it your final destination or a connection. They are charging more based upon the consumer’s perceived value of a non-stop flight, even though that same exact flight can be had for less money if the customer books it as a connection.
That sort of pricing wouldn’t be acceptable in any other context. Imagine buying a pizza, and the price is $20, but the price would have been $10 total if I had bought 2 pizzas. Same exact first pizza, except I could have gotten double the pizza for half the cost, and the only difference is that this second far better deal was hidden.
But the excuse for airlines is “airline pricing is complicated.” Well, lots of industries have complicated pricing models - this is really more like deceptive.
GIG-ICT is a different product than GIG-MIA or GIG-MCI or GIG-anywhere else. The connection point is not part of the product being sold (transportation between A and B.)
Dec 21, 2020, 12:44 pm
#507
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
View From The Wing details how one frequent user of skip-lagging / hidden city etc. was required to check in at the counter, where he was warned AA was watching him should he walk away from his final leg.
https://viewfromthewing.com/american...way-ticketing/
https://viewfromthewing.com/american...way-ticketing/
Dec 21, 2020, 12:57 pm
#508
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Others include
Six-pack of Coke.
Pants with included belt.
Cord of wood.
Season tickets to the ball park
Ad nauseum
Dec 21, 2020, 1:08 pm
#509
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
A friend flew last year DUS-LHR-LAX. When I picked him up in LAX, his bag was missing. He reported the missing bag, signed some Customs forms as to what he had to declare (nothing), then got the bag delivered a day or so later to my house near Los Angeles.
I am sure they would have been curious should he want the bag to be delivered in a different part of the country. Might as well wave a red flag with HIDDEN CITY all over it.
Dec 21, 2020, 2:27 pm
#510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Not necessarily.
A friend flew last year DUS-LHR-LAX. When I picked him up in LAX, his bag was missing. He reported the missing bag, signed some Customs forms as to what he had to declare (nothing), then got the bag delivered a day or so later to my house near Los Angeles.
I am sure they would have been curious should he want the bag to be delivered in a different part of the country. Might as well wave a red flag with HIDDEN CITY all over it.
A friend flew last year DUS-LHR-LAX. When I picked him up in LAX, his bag was missing. He reported the missing bag, signed some Customs forms as to what he had to declare (nothing), then got the bag delivered a day or so later to my house near Los Angeles.
I am sure they would have been curious should he want the bag to be delivered in a different part of the country. Might as well wave a red flag with HIDDEN CITY all over it.