The practice of reserving two separate airline itineraries for the same individual, often departing or arriving at similar times, allows travelers flexibility and potential cost savings. For instance, a passenger might reserve a flight from City A to City B on Airline X and a separate, connecting flight from City B to City C on Airline Y, instead of booking a single itinerary from City A to City C. This can sometimes be less expensive than a single through-ticket, particularly for international travel or when utilizing budget airlines.
This strategy can provide advantages beyond cost savings, such as increased routing options and the ability to circumvent airline restrictions like Saturday-night stay requirements once common for discounted fares. Historically, this method has been employed by savvy travelers to maximize their travel budget and tailor their itineraries to specific needs, predating the widespread availability of online travel comparison tools. However, it’s important to be aware of the inherent risks, including potential missed connections and baggage complications.