A travel expert has revealed a controversial tactic that can help passengers secure premium seats on budget airlines for free, but the method comes with significant risks.
How the 'check-in chicken' tactic works
Chelsea, a budget travel creator with over 5.5 million likes on TikTok, advises passengers to delay checking in until the last possible moment. She calls this method 'check-in chicken'.
The strategy is based on the claim that budget airlines deliberately allocate their least desirable seats first, hoping passengers will pay to upgrade. By waiting, the only seats left as the check-in window closes are usually the pricier ones at the front of the aircraft or those with extra legroom.
Success with Wizz Air and Ryanair
Chelsea shared a recent experience with Wizz Air, where she waited until just five hours before departure to check in. She automatically landed two highly sought-after extra legroom seats for free.
Frequent flyers claim the same trick works for Ryanair journeys as well.
Risks and warnings
However, the tactic carries serious risks. If flights are overbooked, passengers run the risk of being bumped from the flight entirely.
Chelsea recommends monitoring the live seating plan on the airline's app throughout the day and checking in the moment only premium seats are left. She also notes that checking in late guarantees a spot in the final boarding group, meaning overhead lockers will likely be full and hand luggage may be confiscated at the gate and placed in the hold.
The tactic sparked a fierce debate online. One user pleaded, "Stop telling everyone," while another boasted, "No don't wreck this hack – I got 29E on Sunday by checking in an hour before it shut."
Others warned that the algorithm is unpredictable. One traveller said, "I had the exact opposite experience, checked in the minute the flight opened and they put me in the exit row for free." Another warned, "Definitely not worth it. I know someone who tried this and was left with no seat and had to wait until the next flight the next day."
