No matter how many amazing deals you find on HotelCoupons.com traveling is expensive. Period. With gas and airfare prices on the rise getting to our destination sometimes costs more than the rest of the trip combined. I recently discovered a trick when traveling to a number of major US cities that might help you save some serious cash.

I was born and raised in St. Louis so several times a year I head from my home in Orlando back to visit my family. Most of the time I end up with a layover in Atlanta since it’s a major hub. However, my roundtrip has always been reasonable in terms of price. Imagine my surprise when I needed to fly to Atlanta this past Spring and the rates were through the roof. It boggled my mind that I was going half the distance and the cost was nearly double.

Here’s what I did: I searched every flight from this carrier that had a layover in ATL (which was most of them). Sure enough, I found a flight to Detroit of all places with a layover in Atlanta that was half the price of any direct flights to ATL. I booked that flight to Detroit and when I got off in Atlanta I didn’t proceed to my next gate. I went and enjoyed the great city of Atlanta with the knowledge that I beat the system.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to try my new strategy.
1. Searching every city they fly to takes a lot of time. In my case it was totally worth it though.
2. You can’t check bags. You’ll be in Atlanta and your luggage will continue on to Detroit.
3. This really only works for cities with major airline hubs. I’ve listed them below to help you out.
4. This only works for one-way flights. If you don’t get on your connection, the airline might cancel your return trip!

Happy Traveling!

American Airlines

  • Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

American Eagle Airlines

  • Chicago-O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Delta Air Lines

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
  • Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
  • Memphis International Airport (MEM)

JetBlue Airways

  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Southwest Airlines

  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
  • Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport (LAS)
  • Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Spirit Airlines

  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

United Airlines

  • Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
  • Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
  • Denver International Airport (DEN)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

US Airways

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT)
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Virgin America

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)