Businessman shares 'hack' called 'throwaway ticketing' to get cheaper flights but it comes with risks

A businessman has shared a travel 'hack' known as 'throwaway ticketing' to get cheaper flights - but that doesn't mean you should rush off and book right now.

Traveling is an expensive hobby, there's no doubt about that. So, any way to save money on airfares is appreciated by avid flyers.

Throwaway ticketing, also known as 'skiplagging', has become popular over recent years, with many sharing their stories on how they have saved hundreds of dollars using the method.

What is throwaway ticketing?

Katy Nastro, from Going.com, explained how the viral price-slashing trend works.

She said: “For example, say you wanted to fly from Orlando to New York. You know, see the city, but the price tag is a little bit out of budget. Maybe it’s $150.

“However, you found a flight from Orlando to Richmond via New York and that’s only $88, which is a pretty nice savings."

Nastro continued: “However, you got off in New York and you paid a fraction of the price for that direct flight price, but you bought a connecting flight.

“So, in essence, it’s basically like you bought a direct flight without the direct flight cost.”

Mike Bolen, a real estate investor who's based in California, recently discovered the method for himself.

He shared on Twitter: "This is wild. Trying to buy a plane ticket from the West Coast to Saint Louis, Missouri. All direct flights start at $564. But if I book a flight to Atlanta with a layover in STL the flight is $198. Why would you not just do a carry-on and get off the plane in STL? I am!"

The dangers of throwaway ticketing

While throwaway ticketing is not illegal, airlines are trying to combat it as they are effectively losing money.

A teen has even been detained at an airport after using the money-saving scheme, while others have had a nightmare experience, suggesting it's not all risk-free.

Jesse Collier explained to Business Insider how a trip to New York from Los Angeles using the throwaway ticketing scheme was a 'nightmare'.

Costing just $146 using the method rather than a $400 one-way ticket, Jesse bagged a bargain, but it certainly wasn't worth it.

With the ticket, Jesse was permitted just one bag, though she quickly realized that would be going to Buffalo and she wouldn't be able to collect it in New York.

"I found myself caught in this cycle of calling the customer-service line, being told that they would put my bag on a plane to New York City and that I could either have it delivered or go pick it up, only to be ghosted hours later and be told my bag never made it on that plane," Jesse said.

She spent the next two days in the same clothes she boarded the plane in, before getting her bag delivered to her NYC Airbnb at the cost of $60.

So, while it might be tempting, it's probably wise to avoid this 'hack'...