An airport 'hack' to save 50% on your flight by purchasing the ticket at the airport has gone viral — but it may be more trouble than it's worth

• A TikToker said she saved money purchasing her ticket directly from the airport instead of online.
• While some viewers were inspired, others said they felt it wasn't worth the added hassle.

A woman claimed she saved half on a flight by purchasing the tickets at the airport, but viewers weren't sure it was worth the extra effort. A budget vacation expert told Insider there are also potential risks involved in trying this travel hack.

On August 16, TikToker Gabrielle Moore said in a video voiceover that she'd heard about this strategy and decided to try it for herself at a Spirit Airlines kiosk. She said she waited in a line allocated for "future ticket sales" for about 20 minutes.

In the video, she shared a screenshot of how much a round trip between Myrtle Beach International Airport and New York's Laguardia Airport would have cost if she'd bought them online, which amounted to at least $100. She then showed viewers a physical ticket she purchased that day, which suggested she'd snagged the same trip for $53.80.

The TikTok racked up 453,000 views and over 150 comments. Several people said they'd also saved significant money in the past by using this method.

"Works for Spirit and Frontier," one user advised.

However, experts warn about added risks with this last-minute strategy. Chelsea Dickenson, the founder of the site Cheap Holiday Expert, which provides money-saving travel tips, told Insider fares and availability can fluctuate greatly the longer you wait.

"In general, you'd rarely leave your ticket this late to purchase as prices do tend to rise for air fares as you get nearer to the departure date. That, and it is a risky strategy for when it comes to availability," she said.

Dickenson reiterated that it can work for "low-cost airlines like Frontier and Spirit," who tend to charge a fee for buying a ticket online, which means buying direct saves these costs, but she recommends you do your homework as "not all airlines" offer this solution.

Moore clarified in a comment beneath her video that she used this method to book her own tickets a month in advance, so it wasn't a spontaneous purchase. Still, many felt the cost and effort of making an additional trip undermined the potential savings.

"I'll pay the extra $46 to not drive to the airport and stand in line," one viewer wrote, receiving over 1,300 likes.

"My airport is 2hrs away. Going to buy ticket then going again for the flight. Paying for gas and parking twice no thanks lol," a further comment read.

Dickenson agreed this tip was generally better suited to those who lived closer to an airport, or those who pass through one frequently, but people shouldn't expect it to be an automatic route to a discount.

"It may be worth the effort, but you're not guaranteed a saving either," she said.

Spirit Airlines did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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