A hidden-city flight is a flight where you get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Orlando might be $250, but a similar flight from New York to Dallas with a layover in Orlando might be $130. If you’re going to Orlando, we’ll show you both flights. If you choose the cheaper one, you get off the plane at the layover (Orlando) rather than going to the final ticketed destination (Dallas).
This is perfectly legal and the savings can be significant, but there are some things to be aware of:
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Backpack only — We recommend only bringing a backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you. Anything larger risks getting checked at the gate, and all checked bags will end up in Dallas (final ticketed destination)!
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Bring your passport for international flights (even if you're not going all the way to the final destination). Some carriers require a passport to board the plane.
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You may need a visa for international flights. This depends on the country that's the final destination. In some cases, all you need is a passport, but you may also need a visa for some countries.
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Don't associate a frequent flyer account — If you do, the airline might invalidate any miles you've accrued with them.
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Some airlines may require proof of a return ticket during check-in. If this happens to you, just buy a refundable return ticket directly from the airline and cancel it ASAP after boarding.
- Do not overuse hidden-city itineraries. Do not fly hidden-city on the same route with the same airline dozens of times within a short time frame.
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In rare times of irregular operations such as bad weather, your itinerary may change at the discretion of the airline (2% chance).
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You might upset the airline, so don't do this often.
