Skiplagging 101: How to Save 50% on Domestic Flights

Skiplagging (also called "throwaway ticketing") is a booking strategy where you book a flight with a connection but only take the first leg, effectively using the airline's own pricing logic against itself. The result: 30-60% savings on routes where connecting flights are cheaper than direct ones.

How Skiplagging Works (The Concept)

Airlines often price connecting flights lower than direct flights on the same route. For example:

The 6 Rules for Safe Skiplagging

1. One-way only. Never skiplag on a roundtrip — that's immediately flagged.
2. Carry-on only. Checked bags go to the final destination. If you skip the flight, your bags won't follow you.
3. Don't do it repeatedly on the same airline. One or two skiplags are fine. Do it 5 times on Delta and they'll notice.
4. Don't book with the same airline you skiplagged. Book through an OTA (Expedia, Kayak) so the airline can't easily track the pattern.
5. Know that your frequent flyer account is at risk. If you care about miles/status, don't skiplag on that airline.
6. Accept the risk. If you're okay with the possibility of a ban, skiplagging is a powerful tool.

Best Routes for Skiplagging in 2026

The Tools You Need

Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find connecting flight prices. Set the filter to "layover allowed" and compare against direct flights. If the connecting flight is 40%+ cheaper, skiplagging could save you real money.