Fly Cheap with Error Fares

Mistake fares are real, and they can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on international flights. Airlines or agencies occasionally misprice routes, and these deals can last from minutes to hours before being corrected. Here's how to be ready when they appear.

What Are Error Fares?

Definition and Examples

Error fares occur when airlines, travel agencies, or booking systems make pricing mistakes. These can include decimal point errors (e.g., $99 instead of $999), currency conversion errors, or system glitches that combine multiple discounts incorrectly. Famous examples include $130 round-trip flights from New York to London and $200 flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo.

Why They Happen

Error fares typically occur due to human error in pricing departments, system glitches in booking engines, or miscommunication between airlines and third-party booking sites. They can also happen when airlines forget to update prices after fuel surcharge changes or when multiple promotions stack incorrectly.

How Long They Last

Most error fares are corrected within 2-24 hours, but some can last only minutes. The key is to book immediately when you spot one, as airlines actively monitor and correct pricing mistakes to prevent massive revenue losses.

Build Your Alert Net

Multiple Deal Services

Don't rely on just one source. Sign up for multiple deal alert services like Scott's Cheap Flights, The Flight Deal, Secret Flying, and Airfare Watchdog. Each service has different sources and may catch deals the others miss. Set up alerts for your preferred departure airports and regions.

Push Notification Strategy

Create a dedicated email label called "Flight Deals" and set up push notifications for this label. When your phone buzzes with a deal, you can act immediately. Time is of the essence with error fares, so instant notifications are crucial.

Social Media Monitoring

Follow deal hunters on Twitter and join Facebook groups dedicated to flight deals. These communities often share error fares before they hit mainstream deal sites. Set up Twitter alerts for keywords like "error fare" and "mistake fare."

When to Book

Immediate Action Required

Book error fares immediately, then cancel later if needed. Most airlines offer a 24-hour cancellation window for US bookings, and many international carriers have similar policies. Don't "think about it" - you can always change your mind, but you can't book a fare that's already been corrected.

Flexibility is Key

Be flexible with dates and airports. Error fares often appear for specific dates or routes, so having flexibility in your travel plans increases your chances of finding and booking these deals. Consider nearby airports and alternative dates within a few weeks of your preferred travel time.

Payment Method Matters

Use a credit card with good travel protections and ensure you have sufficient credit limit. Some error fares can be expensive even at discounted rates, and you want to ensure your payment goes through immediately.

Rules That Protect You

Documentation Strategy

Screenshot the fare and the confirmation page immediately after booking. This provides proof of the price you were charged and can be useful if the airline tries to cancel your ticket or charge additional fees.

Wait Before Making Plans

Avoid making non-refundable plans (hotels, tours, etc.) until your ticket is fully ticketed. Wait at least 48 hours after booking to ensure the airline doesn't cancel your reservation. Some error fares are caught and cancelled even after initial confirmation.

Polite Persistence

If the airline cancels your error fare, be polite but persistent. Escalate through social media channels if phone representatives aren't helpful. Some airlines honor error fares as a goodwill gesture, especially if you're a loyal customer.

Advanced Error Fare Hunting

Understanding Airline Alliances

Learn about airline alliances (Star Alliance, OneWorld, SkyTeam) and how they affect pricing. Sometimes error fares appear when alliance partners misprice routes or when there are system issues with alliance pricing.

Seasonal Patterns

Error fares often appear during certain times of the year. Airlines may make pricing mistakes when updating seasonal schedules or when transitioning between peak and off-peak pricing. Pay extra attention during these transition periods.

International vs. Domestic

International error fares are more common and often offer bigger savings. Domestic error fares are rarer but can still provide significant discounts. Focus your efforts on international routes for the best opportunities.

Ethics and Best Practices

Don't Harass Agents

If an error fare is cancelled, don't harass airline representatives or agents. They're just doing their jobs and often have no control over pricing decisions. Be respectful in your communications.

Avoid Mass Cancellations

Don't book multiple error fare tickets with the intention of cancelling most of them. This creates unnecessary work for airlines and can result in your account being flagged or banned.

Use for Legitimate Travel

Only book error fares for trips you actually plan to take. Don't book them just because they're cheap - this contributes to the problem and can result in your tickets being cancelled.

Common Error Fare Scenarios

Currency Conversion Errors

These occur when airlines forget to update exchange rates or when booking systems miscalculate currency conversions. They're common on international routes and can result in massive discounts.

Fuel Surcharge Mistakes

Airlines sometimes forget to include fuel surcharges in their pricing, resulting in artificially low fares. These are often caught quickly but can provide significant savings if booked before correction.

Promotional Code Stacking

Sometimes multiple promotional codes or discounts stack incorrectly, creating impossible combinations that result in extremely low fares. These are usually caught within hours.

What to Do After Booking

Confirm Your Ticket

Check your booking status frequently in the first 24-48 hours. Ensure your ticket is fully ticketed and not just confirmed. Look for an e-ticket number, which indicates full ticketing.

Monitor for Changes

Keep an eye on your booking for any schedule changes or cancellations. Airlines may try to cancel error fares by changing flight times or routes, which can sometimes trigger refund policies.

Have a Backup Plan

Always have a backup plan in case your error fare is cancelled. This might mean having alternative travel dates in mind or being prepared to pay a higher fare if necessary.

Success Stories and Examples

Real Error Fare Examples

Recent examples include $300 round-trip flights from New York to Europe, $400 flights from Los Angeles to Asia, and $150 flights from major US cities to South America. These deals saved travelers thousands of dollars.

How Much You Can Save

Error fares typically offer 50-90% discounts off normal pricing. International flights that normally cost $1,500-3,000 can sometimes be booked for $300-800. The savings are often substantial enough to make previously unaffordable destinations accessible.

Frequency of Opportunities

While error fares aren't daily occurrences, they happen frequently enough that active hunters can find 2-5 opportunities per month. The key is being prepared and acting quickly when they appear.

Deals favor the prepared. Pre-set alerts and a booking rule, and you'll catch one this year. Remember that error fares are legitimate pricing mistakes that airlines sometimes honor, not scams or illegal deals. Approach them with the right mindset, be prepared to act quickly, and always have a backup plan. The world of error fares can open up travel opportunities you never thought possible.