// Use when user explicitly asks about hidden city ticketing, skiplagging, or throwaway ticketing. Requires explicit consent before analysis. Triggers on hidden city, skiplag, get off at layover.
| name | hidden-city-strategy |
| description | Use when user explicitly asks about hidden city ticketing, skiplagging, or throwaway ticketing. Requires explicit consent before analysis. Triggers on hidden city, skiplag, get off at layover. |
Hidden city ticketing means buying a ticket to city C (cheaper) but getting off at city B (your actual destination), which is a layover on the way to city C. This skill provides NEUTRAL analysis - it doesn't encourage or discourage the practice. It gives you complete information to make your own informed decision.
ETHICAL GUARDRAILS:
- This skill NEVER auto-recommends hidden city booking
- This skill ALWAYS requires explicit human consent before showing analysis
- This skill ALWAYS presents full risk disclosure before savings data
- Final decision is ALWAYS the user's responsibility
Before ANY analysis, ask:
⚠️ HIDDEN CITY TICKETING ANALYSIS
Hidden city ticketing violates airline contracts of carriage.
It is not illegal, but airlines enforce penalties including:
- Account suspension
- Mileage forfeiture
- Future ticket cancellation
- Potential fare difference charges
Do you want to proceed with this analysis?
This decision is entirely yours. [Yes / No]
If No → Stop. Suggest alternatives (route-optimization for hub-based savings).
Check these conditions BEFORE running savings analysis:
| # | Condition | Required | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No checked baggage | ✅ MUST | Checked bags route to final destination |
| 2 | No frequent flyer number on booking | ✅ MUST | Airlines track by FF account |
| 3 | No corporate travel card | ✅ MUST | Corporate accounts get flagged faster |
| 4 | One-way ticket only | ✅ MUST | Round-trip: missing leg 1 cancels return |
| 5 | No corporate travel policy prohibiting | ✅ MUST | Policy violation = disciplinary action |
| 6 | No connecting flight after hidden city | ✅ MUST | Missing first leg kills all subsequent |
| 7 | Non-frequent route (not weekly) | ⚠️ WARN | Patterns trigger detection |
Output if any condition fails:
❌ ELIGIBILITY CHECK FAILED
Condition failed: #4 - Round-trip booking
Reason: If you don't board the HAN→SFO→LAX segment,
the airline cancels your LAX→SFO→HAN return.
This means hidden city is NOT viable for your itinerary.
ALTERNATIVE: Consider route-optimization skill for hub-based
savings that don't carry these risks.
Compare:
Direct ticket: HAN → SFO = $750
Hidden city ticket: HAN → SFO → LAX = $520 (you exit at SFO)
Gross savings: $230 (31%)
But factor in costs of hidden city:
Net savings calculation:
Gross savings: $230
- Travel insurance (recommended): -$30
- One-way ticket premium: -$0 (sometimes one-ways cost more)
- Risk-adjusted penalty cost: -$X (see Step 4)
= Net expected savings: $200 (estimated)
Read references/enforcement-levels.md for current enforcement data.
Present airline-specific risk:
ENFORCEMENT RISK: United Airlines
Level: HIGH 🔴
- AI detection system launched 2025 for skiplag detection
- Actively tracks passengers who don't board final segments
- Known to charge fare difference retroactively
- Frequent flyer account at risk of suspension
- Delta dedicating resources at Atlanta hub specifically
If caught: Fare difference charge ($230+), possible account ban
Probability of detection: MODERATE-HIGH for this route
Present ALL risks in clear format:
COMPLETE RISK DISCLOSURE
✅ What goes right (best case):
You save $230 and nobody notices.
⚠️ What could go wrong:
1. Gate agent notices and re-routes you to LAX
2. Airline charges fare difference ($230+) retroactively
3. Frequent flyer account suspended (if accidentally linked)
4. Future bookings on this airline scrutinized
5. If flight diverts/cancels, you're rebooked to LAX, not SFO
6. Carry-on could be gate-checked to LAX at busy gate
🔴 Worst case:
Airline bans you from future bookings + charges premium fare
+ forfeits any miles in your account
💡 Mitigations:
- Use airline's website directly (OTAs may flag unusual patterns)
- Don't add frequent flyer number
- Arrive early, board early (avoid gate-check of carry-on)
- Have backup plan if flight is cancelled/rerouted
Don't recommend - present framework for user to decide:
DECISION MATRIX
Hidden City Direct Booking
Cost: $520 $750
Savings: $230 (31%) Baseline
Risk level: HIGH (United) None
Baggage: Carry-on only Any
Rebooking if delay: To LAX (wrong) To SFO (correct)
Miles earned: None (risky) Full earning
Insurance: Recommended (+$30) Standard
YOUR CALL: Given these trade-offs, the decision is entirely yours.
This skill has presented neutral information.
We do not recommend for or against this strategy.
references/enforcement-levels.md - Airline-by-airline enforcement datareferences/eligibility-check.md - Detailed eligibility conditionsUse when planning flights, comparing ticket prices, or asking about flight costs, airline fees, travel dates, or route options. Triggers on booking flights, cheap tickets, flight search, vé máy bay, săn vé rẻ, tối ưu chi phí bay, đặt vé, virtual interlining, or any flight-related cost question.
Use when traveler has flexible dates and wants to find the cheapest departure/return combination. Triggers on cheapest day to fly, flexible dates, when to book, price calendar.
Use when looking for airline promo codes, flash sales, or credit card discounts before booking. Triggers on promo code, discount, sale, deal, coupon, cashback, loyalty discount.
Use when advertised flight price seems too good, or when comparing LCC vs legacy carrier total costs. Triggers on hidden fees, baggage cost, true price, real cost, checkout surprise.
Use when deciding between flexible and non-refundable tickets, or when travel plans might change. Triggers on refundable vs non-refundable, cancel risk, change fee, should I buy flexible ticket.
Use when searching for flights, comparing airlines, or finding virtual interlining combinations across multiple carriers. Triggers on find flights, search routes, compare airlines, best price.