Know What 'Hidden City' Booking Is? Orbitz Doesn't Want You To

There are little tricks when it comes to flying; shortcuts that can save you money and time. But when is it gaming the system? United Airlines and Orbitz think so-called "hidden city" deals are unfair and they're trying to stop the website Skiplagged from offering them.

"Hidden city" deals defray costs for expensive short flights, say New York and Boston or Los Angeles and Palm Springs. With "hidden city" deals, fliers can book longer flights that include connections at the closer departures; they simply get off at their desired destination and skip the second leg of their flights.

Skiplagged helps find such flights and will direct fliers to book them via Orbitz. Now the online booking site and United airlines are suing Skiplagged to stop the practice.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Chicago, claims passengers who exit the plane before it reaches its final destination “adversely affect United’s ability to estimate head counts, which can not only cause disruptions at the airport gate, but can also require mechanical tweaks, such as variations in the amount of jet fuel needed for each flight," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Fliers who deal in "hidden city" deals should not forget about their checked luggage, and also be aware that some airlines will cancel frequent flier miles if they become aware you're taking part.