Hidden city ticketing could save you a lot of money or miles, but it comes with both challenges and risks. Some find it appealing, others find it unethical. Greg and Nick discuss the details.

Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Giant Mailbag

05:19 Mattress running the numbers: Now exchange points between Choice and Radisson

https://frequentmiler.com/now-convert-radisson-points-to-choice-privileges-at-a-21-ratio/

13:04 The News: Delta 15% discount on awards for cardholders

https://frequentmiler.com/delta-launches-takeoff-15-cardholders-save-15-on-award-flights/

18:25 Awards we booked this week: JAL business class for 5

https://frequentmiler.com/wide-open-japan-airlines-business-class-space-not-all-phantom/

26:00 Main Event: Hidden city ticketing: techniques, challenges, and ethics

What is it?

https://frequentmiler.com/hidden-city-ticketing-can-save-you-an-absurd-amount-of-miles-with-some-key-caveats/

30:25 Drawbacks / warnings

30:36 You can never skip anything but the final segment

33:01 Keep it simple: don't check bags

36:40 Irregular Operations (IRROPS)

39:39 Make sure you qualify for entry to the destination of your ticket

40:40 Techniques to find hidden city ticket opportunities

41:05 Skiplagged

42:36 One more warning: Airlines don't like this practice

45:39 Google Flights

49:17 Use cheap prices as a starting point for looking at awards

52:30 Look at flying to Mexico or maybe Canada

53:04 Look where regions meet

56:01 Mixed-cabin award pricing (Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and Virgin Atlantic for Air France or KLM)

https://frequentmiler.com/cathay-pacific-asia-miles-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/

https://frequentmiler.com/avianca-lifemiles-awesome-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/

00:13 Downside of hidden city award tickets

1:01:32 Seats.aero for finding these opportunities

1:03:50 Ethics: Is this practice unethical?

1:18:55 Question of the Week: Is relying on close-in award availability a viable travel strategy, or am I setting myself up for a world of pain?

Music credit: Annie Yoder