ADVERTISEMENT While TikTok flight hacks entice flyers with promises of a cheaper, more comfortable, or stress-free experience, not all of them work. However, people’s desire to hack the system or get the deal of a lifetime often outweighs the risks associated with these tips, like getting stranded, paying extra, or inconveniencing staff and fellow travelers. Recently, NYC home baker Shreya made a video on TikTok about how she fell victim to an airplane seating hack. The couple she was neighboring tried to score extra room on their flight, making her time in the air miserable. Such experience turned her against these traveling tips and tricks for good, prompting her to make a video encouraging others to do the same.
* **Misleading travel hacks:** These are travel tips that seem helpful but ultimately lead to negative consequences. * **Examples:**
* Using a credit card for travel rewards instead of a debit card. * Booking flights on a Tuesday for cheaper prices. * Packing light with only essentials.
The summary provided describes a personal anecdote about an airplane hack. The narrator experienced a situation where a couple occupied the seat they were assigned, claiming they were a couple. The narrator was then asked to move to the window seat, which was a compromise. **Detailed Text:**
The incident unfolded during a flight from San Francisco to New York.
ADVERTISEMENT Share icon Image credits: nycshreya And I was just like, “girl, I’m doing you the favor. You and your man didn’t book seats next to each other, and I’m switching my seats so that y’all could sit next to each other.” And so then I explain to her, “Well, I would prefer the middle seat then, because I get up a lot and I don’t wanna get up over two people versus just one person.” And she’s like, “We’ll get up every time you need to go to the bathroom.” And at this point, there’s a line forming behind me. People are starting to watch and get kind of angsty. And I was just like, you know what, whatever, I’ll take the window seat, fine.
Share icon Image credits: nycshreya ADVERTISEMENT And lo and behold, guess what, I got up three times during that flight and they didn’t get up any of those times. They just, moved their bodies to the side, which I guess is my karma for not giving up the seat immediately. But I was just flabbergasted that they were acting like they were doing me a favor and then got mad for not receiving that well. So I’m kind of anti these hacks. But, I mean, it would have been fine if they had been down to be flexible. But it’s also why me and my boyfriend will never be subjecting other people to this. And yeah, I’m very anti.
ADVERTISEMENT “Many TikTok travel hacks, such as ‘ skiplagging ’ or using ‘ hidden city ’ layovers, can pose significant risks despite their potential to save money” Share icon Image credits: Natã Romualdo / pexels (not the actual photo) The airplane life hack Shreya was referring to in her video is one of the internet’s most famous travel tips that supposedly helps couples or families have a full row of seats to themselves. Essentially, all they have to do is book an aisle and window seat, leaving the middle seat empty. The logistics behind it are that a solo traveler is less likely to want to sit in between two people if there are other options available.
Shreya, a travel blogger, shares a life hack for saving money on flights. Her tip is to book a flight on a Tuesday. She claims that Tuesdays are the cheapest days to fly.
ADVERTISEMENT “Skiplagging involves booking a flight with a layover in your actual destination city rather than booking a direct flight. While this can sometimes reduce costs, it can also violate airline agreements and disrupt their pricing strategies. Airlines may penalize passengers who frequently use this tactic by revoking their accumulated miles and loyalty points or even banning them from future flights. Additionally, I feel some hacks, like transferring medications to smaller containers for space-saving, can lead to issues if they violate airline policies or regulations,” Harvey explains. Travel bloggers at afuncouple.com Guillaume and Hammer say that it might be better to avoid hacks altogether. “The latest hack we saw online was to stuff many belongings in a pillowcase to avoid the weight limit for carry-on luggage. While there is certainly a chance that this would work, it’s absolutely not guaranteed, and you should be prepared to pay extra if you get caught… So better pack wisely.”
“Test the hack in a low-risk scenario before relying on it for important travel plans” Share icon Image credits: kenishirotie / envatoelements (not the actual photo) ADVERTISEMENT Harvey has found that several popular online travel hacks don’t hold up under scrutiny. “For instance, the belief that booking flights on specific days or times guarantees the best deals is not supported by evidence, as airfare prices fluctuate due to various factors. Similarly, the idea that using private browsing modes to search for flights can lead to cheaper fares has not been substantiated. Another example is the so-called “ankle-seatbelt hack,” which has been debunked as hazardous by experts, emphasizing the importance of adhering to standard safety procedures.”
These are often used to lure people into a trap,” they say. This statement highlights the importance of being cautious and discerning when it comes to freebies and perks. It emphasizes that even seemingly attractive offers can be deceptive and lead to financial or personal risks. The summary provides a warning about the dangers of free upgrades and lounge access offered by credit card companies.
This is a known issue, and airlines are aware of it. Airlines have implemented various security measures to prevent hacking attempts. These measures include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. However, despite these measures, hacking attempts still occur.
Commenters were confused as to why the couple just couldn’t book seats next to each other Share icon ADVERTISEMENT Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon ADVERTISEMENT Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon ADVERTISEMENT Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Some even shared similar stories Share icon Share icon ADVERTISEMENT Share icon
