How do I get a free layover?

Summary

Essentially, a free stopover is an extended layover that allows you to leave the airport and explore the city, usually where an airline heads its operations. Stopovers can range from as short as 24 hours to as long as 10 days, with no added cost to your airline ticket, depending on the program.

Most airlines only provide free hotel accommodations for passengers that have a layover between 8-12 hours or overnight. However, each airline is different, so be sure to check your carrier’s website.

A layover is a connection that lasts no longer than 4 hours for domestic flights and no longer than 24 hours for International flights.

This hack is also known as “hidden city” or “throwaway ticketing.” There is a website, Skiplagged, dedicated to helping travelers find throwaway tickets. While it is not illegal, airlines are not happy about this travel hack as it costs them money.

It (typically) violates the airline contract of carriage. While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violate airlines’ contracts of carriage.

For domestic flights in the U.S., minimum connection times range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and for international connections, from 1 to 3 hours.

“Hidden city ticketing,” or booking a flight with the intention of getting off at the layover city rather than the final destination, is perfectly legal, but there are some factors to consider before making it a habit. According to Business Insider, hidden city ticketing is a sneaky way to save money.

Layover fees are accessorial surcharges billed to a company by its transportation provider. These charges are levied when a truck driver is forced to wait at a pickup or drop-off location for an extended period.

In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

“Skiplagging is a very risky bet,” Harteveldt said. “If you or a member of your family gets caught, you could end up in a lot of trouble with the airline. I’m just not sure that the savings are worth the risk, even with the high airfares we’re seeing right now.”

Airlines could suspend your frequent flyer account and seize your miles like United has threatened, or worse. Some travelers who have used and abused this tactic have been sued. So yes, using Skiplagged can get you in trouble with airlines.

Questions:

What is a free layover?
Do airports pay for layovers?
What is the longest layover allowed?
Is skiplagged legal?
Can I skip a layover?
What is the minimum legal layover?
Is it illegal to book a flight and get off at the layover?
How much does a layover cost?
What is the shortest layover time?
Can I get off at my layover instead of the destination?
How risky is Skiplagged?
Can Skiplagged get you in trouble?

Answers:

Essentially, a free stopover is an extended layover that allows you to leave the airport and explore the city, usually where an airline heads its operations. Stopovers can range from as short as 24 hours to as long as 10 days, with no added cost to your airline ticket, depending on the program.
Most airlines only provide free hotel accommodations for passengers that have a layover between 8-12 hours or overnight. However, each airline is different, so be sure to check your carrier’s website.
A layover is a connection that lasts no longer than 4 hours for domestic flights and no longer than 24 hours for International flights.
This hack is also known as “hidden city” or “throwaway ticketing.” There is a website, Skiplagged, dedicated to helping travelers find throwaway tickets. While it is not illegal, airlines are not happy about this travel hack as it costs them money.
It (typically) violates the airline contract of carriage. While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violate airlines’ contracts of carriage.
For domestic flights in the U.S., minimum connection times range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and for international connections, from 1 to 3 hours.
“Hidden city ticketing,” or booking a flight with the intention of getting off at the layover city rather than the final destination, is perfectly legal, but there are some factors to consider before making it a habit. According to Business Insider, hidden city ticketing is a sneaky way to save money.
Layover fees are accessorial surcharges billed to a company by its transportation provider. These charges are levied when a truck driver is forced to wait at a pickup or drop-off location for an extended period.
In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.
“Hidden city ticketing,” or booking a flight with the intention of getting off at the layover city rather than the final destination, is perfectly legal, but there are some factors to consider before making it a habit.
“Skiplagging is a very risky bet,” Harteveldt said. “If you or a member of your family gets caught, you could end up in a lot of trouble with the airline. I’m just not sure that the savings are worth the risk, even with the high airfares we’re seeing right now.”
Airlines could suspend your frequent flyer account and seize your miles like United has threatened, or worse. Some travelers who have used and abused this tactic have been sued. So yes, using Skiplagged can get you in trouble with airlines.

What is a free layover

Do airports pay for layovers

What is the longest layover allowed

A layover is a connection that lasts no longer than 4 hours for domestic flights and no longer than 24 hours for International flights.
CachedSimilar

Is skiplagged legal

Can I skip a layover

It (typically) violates the airline contract of carriage

While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violates airlines' contracts of carriage.

What is the minimum legal layover

For domestic flights in the U.S. minimum connection times range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and for international connections, from 1 to 3 hours.

Is it illegal to book a flight and get off at layover

How much does a layover cost

What is the shortest layover time

In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

Can I get off at my layover instead of destination

How risky is Skiplagged

"Skiplagging is a very risky bet," Harteveldt said. "If you or a member of your family gets caught, you could end up in a lot of trouble with the airline… I'm just not sure that the savings are worth the risk, even with the high airfares we're seeing right now."

Can Skiplagged get you in trouble

Airlines could suspend your frequent flyer account and seize your miles like United has threatened, or worse. Some travelers who have used and abused this tactic have been sued. So yes, this means you should not attach your frequent flyer account to any flight you skiplag.

What happens if you purposely miss a connecting flight

That's why you MUST NEVER SKIP THE FIRST LEG OF YOUR FLIGHT! But if you intentionally miss the last leg of the journey, your ticket won't be cancelled, as there is nothing left for the airline to cancel. If you skip the first flight, your return flight also gets cancelled.

What is the legal minimum layover time

For domestic flights in the U.S. minimum connection times range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and for international connections, from 1 to 3 hours.

Can I leave the airport if I have a 3 hour layover

During domestic layovers, you are free to leave the airport. If your domestic layover is longer than one hour, you should expect to receive two boarding permits. If you want to check out local points of interest, make sure you get your second boarding pass and print it out before you leave.

What is the rule for layover

In general, if you're on a domestic flight, once you land for your layover, you'll pass through a transfer area that will take you to the gate for your next flight without having to check in again. Your bags will automatically pass through to the next flight without you having to collect them.

Can you intentionally miss a layover flight

While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violates airlines' contracts of carriage. For example, American's contract of carriage says this: Reservations made to exploit or circumvent fare and ticket rules are prohibited.

Why is Skiplagged so cheap

So when you're booking through Skiplagged, you're booking with a thrid-party agency rather than direct with the airline – they collect a small fee on the flights it sells. And they're not only selling throwaway tickets: They sell normal one-way and round-trip flights, too.

How long is a legal layover

For domestic flights in the U.S. minimum connection times range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and for international connections, from 1 to 3 hours.

What is the shortest layover allowed

In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

What if my layover is too short

If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

What happens if I miss my flight due to short layover

If a delay in your first flight is the reason you're missing your connection, don't worry too much. Usually, most airlines will rebook you on the next flight, and that too for free. Although, you might have to fly on standby depending on seat availability. Some airlines, in fact, automatically rebook you.

Is it illegal to leave at a layover

Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.

Do airlines like Skiplagged

Skiplagging is one practice that enables travelers to get from point A to point B for "less than the going rate." However, doing so is controversial and most certainly frowned upon by airlines. Let's look at the practice of skiplagging and why airlines hate it.

Is it illegal to intentionally miss a connecting flight