Mike Bolen a real estate investor residing in California created a viral post regarding “throwaway ticketing” which is where an individual books a flight to one location while stopping at another for lower price points. His post from X amassed 6.2 million views on social media platforms creating discussions throughout the airline industry regarding ethics and other practical issues with implementation of this type of travel planning. His actions prompted industry experts like Gary Leff author of View From the Wing to chime in regarding potential concerns and drawbacks for travelers.
Bolen's Flight Strategy: Discovering a Cheaper Route by Using St. Louis As Connecting Stop Instead of a Final Destination
Mike Bolen discovered instead of paying 564 dollars for a nonstop flight to St. Louis he could book a flight to Atlanta with a layover in St. Louis for only 198 dollars demonstrating price differences in tickets based on final destinations versus layovers. Bolen shared his tactic asking on social media platform X why someone would not use this knowledge to get a cheaper flight and avoid their secondary ticket to Atlanta if that was not a desired final stop. He did test out the concept and has reported everything did workout and there were no complications during his experience.
Airline Ticketing Insights : "Throwaway Ticketing" A Decades-Old Technique for Cheaper Flight Pricing and Common Strategies Among Travelers
This ticketing strategy known as “throwaway ticketing” also termed “point beyond ticketing” has a long history where many travelers intentionally book a flight that includes their desired location as connecting airport instead of as a final stop that is not desired. Gary Leff described the process on his View From the Wing blog where travelers stop at their preferred stop in connecting flights while skipping final destinations using layovers as a final goal instead of long distance flight patterns. He also notes this strategy exists as non-stop flights cost considerably higher in comparison to a connection flight.
Airlines Versus Passenger Viewpoints: Debating Ethics and The Validity of "Contract of Carriage" Ticket Agreements
Gary Leff says on Fox News Digital the ethics of "throwaway ticketing" is a topic discussed over several decades regarding how Airlines perceive a flight as a single product spanning a whole trip and thus are frustrated that consumers feel that they can disembark early from planned connections and routes. Leff noted airlines consider a journey A to B to C a single complete package compared with passengers that feel the two routes are a complete and separate ticket for which they have full consumer rights for personal use. He also notes that airlines use a "Contract of Carriage" that consumers rarely fully engage with and also don’t have opportunities to negotiate those specific contracts and clauses included therein which make most typical users more vulnerable in such business interactions with airlines.
Practical Considerations of Flight Hacks : Baggage Mishaps Rerouting and Account Penalties for "Throwaway" Ticket Users
Gary Leff discusses in blog entries on View from The Wing a number of drawbacks to engaging in "throwaway" or "point beyond" ticketing practices that include baggage related concerns including bag check delays at gates potentially leading luggage ending up at final locations instead of personal stopping points along layovers . Other issues include that Airlines may choose a completely new flight path as a result of a missed connecting segment by passengers therefore removing their flexibility in the layover portion of original booking or creating issues with timing and destination for travel. Leff warns about consequences including mileage accounts shut downs or potential bans from using certain airlines for engaging in “throwaway” ticketing actions on their various flight routes showing significant penalties with repeat use.
Frequent Flyers and Strategic Approaches To Airline Points When Implementing Throwaway Ticketing Scenarios
Gary Leff mentions an advantage for frequent flyer users and also others using alternative methods is to credit points in partner airline accounts in order to mitigate risk of direct tracking and other issues with airlines potentially creating difficulties in customer relationships over flight strategy practices. Skiplagged a site that uses information to sell low cost flight tickets provides resources for information for routes that create ‘hidden-city’ strategies showing high impact practices even resulting in being sued by airlines only to win demonstrating support from public audiences that enjoy low cost travel benefits and options to plan trips more personally based on time and other requirements. Fox News Digital reached out to both Skiplagged and United for comment on the story.
Low Cost Ticketing and Balancing Ethics in Throwaway Ticketing with Limited Risk in Rare Use Cases
Gary Leff indicated airlines do not make readily available data relating to how prevalent "throwaway" ticketing truly is stating such practices work mostly on one way travel which have recently seen more affordable opportunities without necessarily purchasing the return ticket as was previously a normal strategy of travel in past decades. Leff noted an either or situation that arises where customers agree with an airline's terms by purchasing a ticket that becomes invalidated with stopping at layover locations early also contrasting against the notion of individual rights to control the destination stops of ticket they have already paid for regardless of original intended purposes from carrier contracts. Leff concluded these matters often create difficulties based on an overall system that does not often support common user experience when faced with complex corporate rules that do not often take user or community needs into consideration.
Real estate investor Mike Bolen received an overwhelmingly high 6.2 million views on X and on social media platform sharing his own method for a personal benefit while highlighting many areas of opportunity for other travelers that may benefit from this information and options available that may offer further flexibility for routes. Mike Bolen tried the route himself for Saint Louis route for 198 dollars for one way travel instead of non-stop flight to the same city which cost 564 dollars showing significant savings for single travel.
Gary Leff notes in his blogs the late Justice Antonin Scalia a notable supreme court judge often used throwaway ticketing to his advantage showing it is a practice used even in professional higher ranking circles. He also points out airlines contracts often make user agreements into adhesion contracts which gives them full advantage and power over passenger options and decision making abilities regardless of circumstances.
Leff notes during several conversations with Fox news that while one use may not create issues he often notes that if someone plans to use this route habitually this can lead to frequent flyer account closures with travel bans which should be considered with high risk. The late Justice Antonin Scalia often used this method while many presidential campaign leaders also take part using this strategy . Some also use short round trip tickets in combination for single day travel as cheaper alternative
Many comments on this article from frequent travelers claim such as one user claiming that using spirit airlines or frontier to use the airline’s club services before not attending a flight to save money. Other users claim Airlines such as united cancelled connecting flights leaving individuals stranded therefore users are now considering the use of ‘throwaway’ ticketing as fair recourse. Other commenters note airline industry routinely abuses powers and often uses government bailouts while using legal loopholes that unfairly penalize consumers demonstrating unbalanced treatment in this corporate system and dynamic.
Many in commentary section stated if an airline had a right to do as it pleased then also customer has a right to utilize options that fit their unique situation. Gary Leff and other commenters state “throwaway” method is not new but has grown in the social media age due to various platforms for ease of access for more people. A number of people commented they routinely use this in Asian nations or while flying domestic with no issues showing this strategy is employed across cultures and countries internationally. Gary Leff maintains people that frequently attempt the route should plan to mitigate potential impacts by crediting points to partner account for risk reduction. Several commenters highlighted the potential that airlines might sell those skipped seats regardless potentially earning from both initial ticket and the missed connection in the first place making these policies and approaches inherently counter-intuitive for travelers looking for more reliable options with fair pricing .
Other user comments question why airlines charge more for direct routes compared to flights with stops even when using the same flight path in some instances. Other users state for those who may live in cities that do not often have direct flights that this could be ideal in various situations when travelling creating an easier and more economical method to reach travel locations and final destinations which should also be available in standard offerings with lower base ticket pricing if airlines were not concerned with profits only.
One comment mentions they booked roundtrip tickets with hotel stay for business and used just first flight with no penalties claiming a fundamental right for free travel. Gary Leff continues to be the foremost expert in frequent business travel while also being named Top Travel expert by Conde Nast Traveler over a number of years. Gary Leff emphasizes airline pricing has a significant degree of price fixing and airlines benefit with manipulation creating more expensive products overall.
Nigerian National Sentenced for Major Role in Money Laundering and Passport Fraud Schemes Involving over 6.5 Million DollarsChukwunonso Obiora a 37 year old Nigerian national has received an 11 year prison sentence after orchestrating complex money laundering and passport fraud schemes. Obiora who lived in Massachusetts received sentence from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in January of 2025 followed by three years of supervised release demonstrating the end result of a multi year investigation into his illegal activities. Along with the prison sentence, Obiora also had to pay a restitution and forfeiture of $3,326,014.14. In June 2024 Obiora had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy for passport fraud plus also money laundering. Obiora was arrested October 2023 in Atlanta Georgia following an indictment of January 2024
Details Behind Multi Million Dollar Business Email Compromise Scheme with Obiora a Key Organizer
Between 2021 to 2023 Chukwunonso Obiora and co-conspirators implemented Business Email Compromise BEC fraud plans receiving and distributing stolen money into accounts they controlled in return for criminal gains. BEC fraud involves tricking targeted companies into using wires to transfer funds into bank accounts managed by those running the schemes with methods that often utilize emails using false identities as trusted business partners. Obiora's leadership position included securing individual identification plus fake licenses in order to secure a series of banks accounts using fake business documentation.
Methods of Deception and the Creation of Fake Business for Movement Of 6.5 Million Dollars in Stolen Assets
Obiora provided these bank accounts to individuals engaged in BEC fraud schemes who would then have victims wire transfers that came from victims which Obiora and his team moved quickly out of accounts before the company became aware of any issues while using invoices with fake memos and forging information from company records. The team shared almost 40% of stolen earnings for contributions to the overall plan. The various banking transactions made up $6.5 million in total with funds also directed to Nigeria and China with actions taking place for just over a two year period demonstrating rapid expansion for business.
Obiora's Passport Fraud Scheme and Subsequent Arrest At US Border After Removal From the United States
Immigration authorities removed Obiora from United States in 2021 causing Obiora to implement further actions that involve the use of an American family relative and obtaining a false US Passport to return illegally using that document by claiming a lost passport by his relative. This prompted his relatives to seek a new passport by falsifying documents including a photo that featured Obiora’s face in a passport with relatives names on file and records. In October 2023 Obiora attempted entry using stolen identity at the US Border of Detroit after traveling from Nigeria but border authorities identified false passport with subsequent arrest in Atlanta in that month. The U.S Department of States Diplomatic Security Service helped to assist in the process.
Conviction and Sentencing in Passport Fraud and Money Laundering Cases With Details of Financial Repercussions
Chukwunonso Obiora pleaded guilty during June 2024 to conspiracy of money laundering plus conspiracy of passport fraud with U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani providing his eleven-year sentence for prison with an added three year supervised release on January 2025. Obiora has a responsibility to pay over $3.3 million dollars for restitution which is based on his illicit proceeds to help victims. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent Michael J Krol made the announcement for Homeland Security Investigations in New England in order to show community transparency .
Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol made a point to mention Obiora’s crimes in that a complicated network of collaborators enabled such theft creating high levels of fraud and deceit that required thorough planning in order to be able to perpetrate these schemes. Obiora case clearly underscores serious dangers present for cyber crime and international financial scams emphasizing that Law Enforcement does take actions to stop cyber and other types of digital based fraud and other criminal behavior demonstrating transparency with the legal process as demonstrated with these court documents and processes. Assistant U.S Attorney Seth B Kosto from Securities Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case in collaboration with other organizations.
This summary was created utilizing several resources including the website Regtechtimes a platform that highlights news on various financial regulations and legal tech providing resources to various industries that have high interaction with governance that affect areas such as banking insurance technology and securities markets. A quote in this section is added noting that “if you get picked up often it is because your stories are correct” to represent some values of transparency that come up from multiple areas of this analysis showing how reliable data can impact larger community discussions to make informed decisions based on factual reporting instead of hearsay or propaganda and also provides critical feedback on governance policies that may require additional review.
This information will remain readily available for all audiences that require a public record of case documents for transparent community feedback and to serve as educational reference regarding potential financial vulnerabilities and risks