What is the central concept of hidden-city ticketing in travel?

The central concept of hidden-city ticketing revolves around the strategy of utilizing a cheaper route that includes a stop at the desired destination. This means that a traveler books a flight that takes them to a destination with a layover in the city they actually want to go to, rather than booking a direct flight. The key advantage of this approach is cost savings, as airlines often price flights differently based on demand, leading to some routes being more expensive than others.

In this scenario, the traveler would deliberately disembark at the layover city instead of continuing on to the final ticketed destination. This tactic can help travelers find more affordable travel options, although it does come with risks; for example, if the traveler misses the connecting flight, they may not be allowed to board or receive compensation. It's important for travelers to be aware of airline policies regarding this practice, as it can sometimes violate terms of service.

While traveling with connections and booking multiple destinations are valid travel strategies, they do not specifically capture the essence of hidden-city ticketing, which is focused on using an intermediate stop as a means to reach a preferred location at a lower cost. Similarly, purchasing a one-way ticket addresses a different scenario where the traveler is simply avoiding round-trip costs rather