Save on Flights with Layover Exit Tickets

Also called hidden-city or skiplagging, the layover exit strategy consists in booking a flight with a layover at your desired destination and leaving the airport at the layover. It's an effective way to save money on flights, but it comes with several limitations and risks:

• Checked luggage cannot be accommodated, as it will be sent to the final destination.
• Booking a return flight on the same ticket is not possible because missing a segment causes the airline to cancel the remaining portions.
• There is a risk of the flight being rerouted, making it impossible to execute the layover exit.
• This practice is somewhat controversial and airlines discourage it. There have been instances of gate agents questioning travelers with a layover in their city of residence, though reports of passengers being penalized remain anecdotal.

That being sayed, the savings are sometimes worth it and the risk of being penalized is low. Consider alternative strategies unless the layover exit offers significant savings and avoid using it too frequently.

See our Guide to Airglitch Booking Strategies to learn about other strategies covered by Airglitch and how they work.

What is a layover exit flight?

Say you plan on traveling from New York to Los Angeles.

Instead of booking a flight to Los Angeles, you book a flight to San Diego with a stop in Los Angeles, saving $100.

Simply exit at the layover in Los Angeles and drop the last segment.

Why would I book a layover exit ticket?

Purely for the savings. Unlike other booking strategies such as spare multicity or spare return, all the segments on your reservation will be cancelled once you miss one. This means you cannot try to serve other travel plans with the extra segments.

How can I book a layover exit ticket?

Airglitch automatically finds layover exit tickets for you. Search for your desired itinerary, and if a cheaper layover exit option is found, the platform will show you instructions on how to book it directly with the airline.

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You can also search for layover exit options manually on Matrix ITA Software, where you would filter results by layover city and open the search to any destination.

Can I get in trouble for a layover exit flight?

Yes, but it's really unlikely. Legal actions against passengers are anecdotal and the cases were dismissed in the only known lawsuits. It is technically against the airline's terms of service, but the risk of being penalized is low. Airlines have taken action against passengers in the past by revoking frequent flyer miles or banning them from future flights. If you want to mitigate the risk, avoid using this strategy too frequently. There has been testimony of gate agents questioning travelers with a layover in their city of residence, so be prepared to explain your situation if asked.

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