You might have heard that two one-way flights can save you time and money. But let's be honest, finding that perfect match of flights can be a time suck and doesn’t *always* result in the savings you hoped.
A Hacker Fare is a return flight built from two one-way tickets, sometimes on different airlines. KAYAK finds these for you, only when and where it can save you time or money. Here’s everything you need to know about Hacker Fares.
What is a Hacker Fare?
With a Hacker Fare, KAYAK plays airfare matchmaker by finding two one-way tickets that together make a cheaper return flight.
Sometimes you’ll fly out with one airline and home with another. Other times, it’s the same airline, but they have you in the system as two one-way flights.
Either way, you’ll get there and back, usually paying less than you would for a regular return flight.
What a Hacker Fare could look like: London to Sydney trip
- Departure ticket: One-way ticket from London LHR to Sydney SYD booked with Virgin Australia, 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) & 1 cabin bag (55 x 35 x 25 cm) included
- Return ticket: One-way ticket from Sydney SYD to London LGW booked with Emirates, 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm) & 1 cabin bag (55 x 35 x 25 cm)
In this example, the things you should look out for are the different departure and return airports (LHR and LGW) and the slightly different personal item dimensions. Overall, this would be a good Hacker Fare if the price was right for you, and you were happy to land in London Gatwick rather than Heathrow.
How can I book a Hacker Fare on KAYAK?
After searching for a flight, you’ll see “Hacker Fare” clearly identified under the price. Simply select the “View deal” button to start the process.
Just be sure that prices for both tickets are available before booking. To do this, open each booking page in a new tab and double-check the price and availability. Book and you’re good to go.
Note, as mentioned above, you’ll only see these fares when KAYAK finds good value options for your trip.
Why do Hacker Fares cost less?
Due to various airline pricing strategies, sometimes two one-way flights cost less than a regular return. So no, it’s not magic. It’s just a smarter match that can beat the regular return price on some searches.
Things to check before booking a Hacker Fare.
Hacker Fares can save you a significant amount of cash, but there are a few things to check when booking.
- What airports are the tickets for? In cities with multiple airports, the most affordable flight combination may involve arriving at and departing from different airports. Double-check the location on your reservations, and pay close attention when airport codes look similar, like YYZ and YTZ in Toronto.
- Baggage fees: If your Hacker Fare involves different airlines, your baggage allowance may differ on each flight. Use our Fare Assistant when you search to factor in all baggage costs.
- Ticket availability: Open each booking page in a new tab and double-check the price and availability for both tickets before you book.
- Proof of travel for multi-city trips: If your trip starts with a one-way ticket and continues on before another one-way takes you home, keep proof of onward journey handy when going through border control.
When should I skip a Hacker Fare?
If the airport swap makes your schedule too difficult, the baggage situation doesn’t line up or your multi-city plans mean you’ll need extra documentation on hand, a regular return may be easier. The same goes if the combo isn’t saving you enough time or money.
