Save on Flights with Self Transfer

Self transfer involves booking two or more flights for a single journey, typically combining flights from carriers that lack a codeshare or interline agreement. Unlike the separate tickets strategy, which involves independently purchasing different journeys (e.g., departure and return flights), self-transfer applies to a single journey with multiple segments. Although you are likely to remain at the airport during the transfer, you’ll have to collect your luggage and check in again between flights. Self-transfer also carries a higher risk, as airlines are not obligated to rebook you on the next available flight if your first segment is delayed.

What is the self transfer strategy?

Imagine you’re flying from Los Angeles to Paris but can’t find any affordable direct flights, and the options with layovers are also expensive. You might be able to secure a better fare by combining two separate flights, effectively creating your own connection.

Two one-way flights from Los Angeles to London and from London to Paris.

This method generally saves money by emulating a connection that doesn't exist on a single ticket (e.g., different airlines with no partnership). In some cases, you might get a cheaper fare by applying self-transfer on a connection that does exist - but this pricing irregularity is less common.

Self transfer can also be applied to roundtrip itineraries. Often called the "Greek Islands trick," this involves finding the cheapest return flight to a nearby city and then completing the final leg of the journey with an affordable local flight.

Two roundtrip flights from Los Angeles to London and back, and from London to Paris and back.

How to find self transfer flights

Self-transfer deals are not yet included in Airglitch but may be incorporated into our algorithm in the future. However, they are fairly common on popular search engines like Google Flights. Be cautious with third-party booking sites that offer cheap self-transfer options without clearly indicating them, as this could leave you unaware of the risks associated with missing a connection. Some sites may provide a "guarantee" to cover the cost of a missed flight, but it’s important to verify the reseller’s reputation, as some may not honor their promise. If you are comfortable with the risks of missed connections, it’s better to execute the self-transfer strategy yourself by booking directly with the airlines.

You can also discover self-transfer deals that may not appear on search engines by scouting them manually. Use flexible travel search options, such as Google Flights' explore map feature, to identify the cheapest nearby destinations for your travel dates. Then, search for local flights separately to complete your journey. If the total cost is lower than standard flight offers, you’ve successfully found a self-transfer deal.

Why self transfer flights can be cheaper

As with other flight booking strategies, self-transfer flights are not inherently cheaper — they might be, but not always. When they are, the savings can often be attributed to the absence of an interlining agreement between airlines. Without such agreements, airlines don’t coordinate schedules or pricing, which can result in more competitive fares for individual flight segments.

Can I get in trouble for booking a self-transfer flight?

Booking a self-transfer ticket is completely legitimate, and you won’t encounter any issues with the airline. However, it doesn’t offer protection in case of a missed connection. With a single-ticket, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight if a delay causes you to miss your connection. In contrast, with self-transfer, you bear the responsibility for rebooking and covering the costs of any missed flights.

To minimize risk, try to place the more flexible or cheaper segment of your itinerary on the self-transfer leg, preferably on a route well-served by multiple airlines. This way, in case of delays, rebooking a missed flight will be more affordable and easier to manage. If your self-transfer connects to a long-haul or expensive flight, ensure you have a few hours of buffer time between flights to account for potential delays.

Visit airglitch.com to save up to 60% on flights. Share your feedback and follow us on socials to get the latest updates.