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Travel + Leisure

Skiplagged Just Launched 2 New Tools to Help You Save Even More on Flights

From setting price alerts to using artificial intelligence, it's easier than ever to save on travel. And now one company is rolling out new tools to help passengers save even more with unconventional airline itineraries. Skiplagged, a travel company that offers discounted airline tickets through booking unconventional routes, recently rolled out new features: "Price Hacker," which issues refunds for price drops, and "Skiplagged Guarantee," which protects travelers' reservations if the airline cancels or changes a flight, a spokesperson for the company shared with Travel + Leisure . Passengers should be aware the company adds a service fee to cover the guarantee perks. "Skiplagged is always on the side of the traveler, showing all available options on flights to maximize savings for the consumer," the company said in a statement shared with T+L. "Skiplagged believes in providing transparency in pricing so travelers can make more informed decisions." When it comes to the "Price Hacker" feature, Skiplagged will automatically update the reservation if the price drops by $15 or more and issue the difference in an airline flight credit. The "Skipplaged Guarantee" allows travelers to file a claim if their flight is canceled, the route is changed, or a missed connection disrupts their travel. Customers have 24 hours to submit a claim. "Whether you book a hidden city ticket or a standard route, these tools ensure you're protected and getting the best deal possible," the company said. "Skiplagged stays with you the whole way and gives consumers peace of mind from booking to return." A sometimes controversial practice, the concept of skiplagging means booking a ticket with an extra stop and skipping the extra connecting flight (like booking a flight from Dallas to Memphis, for example, with a layover in Las Vegas when Sin City was the intended destination all along). This may result in a cheaper ticket, but airline policies explicitly prohibit the practice and any flight delays or baggage issues could end up throwing a wrench into your plans. Last year, American Airlines went after Skipplagged during which a federal court awarded the airline $9.4 million over revenue disgorgement and copyright infringement, according to Simple Flying . 'Airlines don't like skiplagging because it exposes the way they overpriced routes,' Skiplagged CEO Aktarer Zaman told T+L during an interview earlier this year. 'The reality is that if airlines wanted to eliminate this practice, they could simply adjust their pricing to make direct flights more affordable. Instead, they've chosen to enforce rules that benefit their bottom line while leaving consumers with fewer options.' Beyond skiplagging, there are other ways to score low airfare prices from setting price alerts to booking strategically, and more. Other companies also offer similar price guarantees, like Expedia, for example, whose "Price Drop Protection" service issues automatic refunds if a traveler's flight drops in value.