How to use ‘back-to-back ticketing’ to get cheap flights if you have two trips that are close together

IF you have two trips to the same destination coming up, you could save by using a trick known as “back-to-back ticketing”.

But be warned – while not illegal, it’s hated by airlines and some could even ban you for it.

Back-to-back ticketing can be cheaper if you have two trips to the same destinationCredit: Getty – Contributor

It’s quite a complicated process, and takes some planning, but you can score some much cheaper flights.

This is thanks to the Saturday Night Stay rule that some airlines use – essentially, you have to stay overnight on a Saturday night to get cheaper return fares according to TripSavvy.

To make the trick work, you have to book two return flights to the same destination on different days.

As an example, if you’re travelling from London to Orlando for a week each in February and July, you would normally book the flights as separate journeys.

But in back-to-back ticketing, you are essentially merging the flights together so one “nests” inside another.

Butlin’s is launching a stunning new live show featuring circus and dance acts next year

So instead of booking two return trips from London to Orlando, you’d be booking one return trip from London to Orlando (Journey A), and one return trip from Orlando to London (Journey B).

For Journey A, you would book an outward flight in February for when you want to leave for your first trip, and a return flight in July for when you want to come back from your second trip.

And then for Journey B, you would book an outward flight in February for when you want to come back from the first trip and a return flight in July for when you want to fly out for your second trip.

How back-to-back ticketing works

How you normally book flights

Ticket A outbound: February, London to Orlando
Ticket A return: February, Orlando to London
Ticket B outbound: July, London to Orlando
Ticket B return: July, Orlando to London

When you book by using back-to-back ticketing

Ticket A outbound: February, London to Orlando
Ticket B outbound: February, Orlando to London
Ticket B return: July, London to Orlando
Ticket A return: July, Orlando to London

But be careful how you use the trick, and who you fly with.

Experts warn that if you’re caught out by an airline that’s banned the booking method, such as United or Delta, they could cancel your tickets, not let you board the flight, or even ban you from the airline in the future.