Miami Is One of the Top Destinations for Controversial Skiplagging Trend

If "skiplagging" sounds like a dirty word, that's because it is for many people. Depending on who you ask, the practice is either a game-changing travel hack or a scourge on decent traveling society. You're likely more inclined to believe the former if you've been screwed over by airlines' dynamic pricing models, but you probably sympathize with the latter if you're an airline executive.

Whatever your view, there's a lot of interest in skiplagging in South Florida. Earlier this month, Miami was named one of the places where the controversial travel practice is most popular, second only to Atlanta. Travel site Locals Insider analyzed Google search volume for keywords related to skiplagging to determine the ranking.

What Is Skiplagging?

Skiplagging occurs when a traveler books a ticket with a layover with the intention of staying in that city instead of continuing to the final destination on the itinerary. Travelers use the hack to secure cheaper airfare, as direct flights tend to be more expensive than flights with layovers.

Where Is Skiplagging Most Popular?

According to the analysis, skiplagging is most popular in Atlanta, with nearly 5,000 average monthly searches for the term per 100,000 residents. Miami generates a little less than half that search volume, with slightly more than 2,000 average monthly searches per 100,000 residents.

Minneapolis, Orlando, and Charlotte round out the top five. Most of these have one thing in common: They're hubs for major airlines. Miami and Charlotte are American Airlines hubs, and Atlanta and Minneapolis are Delta hubs. Orlando is a major connecting destination for domestic and international flights.

Is There a Penalty for Skiplagging?

If you're considering skiplagging on your next Spring Break trip to Miami, proceed with caution. Airlines are cracking down on the practice, with American Airlines coming down particularly hard on customers who do it. The airline's penalties include invalidating tickets and refusing to board the passenger. United also has a tough policy — the airline has said it reserves the right to permanently ban customers who skiplag.