Does American Airlines allow hidden city ticketing?

No. American Airlines' contract of carriage prohibits it. They can cancel remaining segments, charge the fare difference, and suspend AAdvantage accounts.

What is Delta's policy on hidden city ticketing?

Delta actively monitors for skiplagging patterns. They can cancel SkyMiles accounts, revoke earned miles, and charge the difference between the ticketed and actual fare.

Can United Airlines detect hidden city ticketing?

Yes. United uses data analytics to detect patterns. They sued Skiplagged in 2015 and have been known to send warning letters to repeat offenders.

Does Southwest Airlines care about hidden city ticketing?

Southwest's point-to-point model and transparent pricing make hidden city ticketing largely impractical. There are fewer fare gaps to exploit.

What happens if I get caught?

Typical consequences: remaining flights cancelled, frequent flyer account suspended, miles revoked, and a fare adjustment charge. In extreme cases, future booking restrictions.

Airline Policies on Hidden City Ticketing — Risks & Rules (2026)

How do airlines handle hidden city ticketing? Compare policies from major US carriers. Understand the real risks.

Last updated: June 2026

Quick Answer

All major U.S. airlines prohibit hidden city ticketing in their contracts of carriage.
Consequences: cancelled itineraries, lost miles, fare difference charges, and account bans.
Southwest is least affected — its point-to-point model rarely creates hidden city opportunities.
Delta and United are most aggressive in detecting and penalizing skiplagging.
International airlines (Lufthansa, BA) have even stricter enforcement policies.

How Airlines Handle Hidden City Ticketing

Every major airline prohibits hidden city ticketing in their contract of carriage. However, enforcement varies significantly. Here's what you need to know about each airline's specific policies and how they detect and penalize this practice.

How Airlines Detect Hidden City Ticketing

Rules If You're Considering It (Risk Mitigation)

Note: We provide this information for educational purposes. We recommend using legitimate fare-finding strategies instead.

Better Alternatives (Zero Risk)

Airline Policies

airline	stance
American Airlines	Strictly Prohibited
United Airlines	Strictly Prohibited
Delta Air Lines	Prohibited
Southwest Airlines	Prohibited (Minimal Enforcement)
JetBlue	Implied Prohibition
Lufthansa	Prohibited (Lost in Court)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does American Airlines allow hidden city ticketing?: No. American Airlines' contract of carriage prohibits it. They can cancel remaining segments, charge the fare difference, and suspend AAdvantage accounts.
What is Delta's policy on hidden city ticketing?: Delta actively monitors for skiplagging patterns. They can cancel SkyMiles accounts, revoke earned miles, and charge the difference between the ticketed and actual fare.
Can United Airlines detect hidden city ticketing?: Yes. United uses data analytics to detect patterns. They sued Skiplagged in 2015 and have been known to send warning letters to repeat offenders.
Does Southwest Airlines care about hidden city ticketing?: Southwest's point-to-point model and transparent pricing make hidden city ticketing largely impractical. There are fewer fare gaps to exploit.
What happens if I get caught?: Typical consequences: remaining flights cancelled, frequent flyer account suspended, miles revoked, and a fare adjustment charge. In extreme cases, future booking restrictions.