Is it safe to book flights through Skiplagged?

Okay, so, is Skiplagged safe to use for booking flights? That’s the big question, right? I’ve definitely been tempted by those crazy-low prices they sometimes advertise!

Here’s the thing, and I’m just speaking from what I’ve read and heard from other travelers (because, full disclosure, I haven’t actually booked through Skiplagged myself – a bit of a chicken, I guess!)… yeah, you can save money. We’re talking potentially significant savings sometimes. But… there’s a catch. Or, more like, several catches.

Basically, they often use what’s called “hidden-city ticketing.” Think of it like this: you book a flight from, say, New York to Chicago with a layover in Denver, but your real destination is Denver. You just get off the plane in Denver and skip the Chicago leg. Sneaky, right? And that’s how they get the cheaper prices.

Now, here’s where it gets dicey. Airlines hate this. And they have ways of making your life difficult if they catch you. Like, seriously difficult.

For example, you can pretty much forget about checking a bag. Because your bag is going all the way to Chicago, whether you are or not! I mean, imagine arriving in Denver with just your carry-on for a week-long trip! Nightmare fuel.

And, even worse, there’s a risk of being denied boarding. It’s rare, I’ve heard, but it can happen. The airline might suspect what you’re up to and refuse to let you on the plane in the first place. Talk about a ruined vacation!

Oh, and one more thing, if you’re a frequent flyer, be warned. Some airlines might void your miles if they think you’re abusing the system. Not cool, right? I mean, all those hard-earned miles down the drain? Ouch!

So, is it safe? Well, safe in the sense that the website will (probably) process your payment and issue a ticket? Maybe. But safe in terms of avoiding potential travel headaches? Not necessarily.

My personal take? If you’re flexible, adventurous, and traveling light with no loyalty to any particular airline, maybe it’s worth the risk. But honestly, for me, the potential downsides outweigh the savings. I’d rather pay a little more and have peace of mind, wouldn’t you? I mean, who needs that kind of stress on vacation?