Every so often, airlines mess up. A decimal point in the wrong place, a currency conversion error, or a fuel surcharge glitch results in impossibly cheap fares. These "error fares" or "mistake prices" are lottery tickets for travelers who know where to look.
How Error Fares Happen
Airlines manage complex pricing systems with thousands of fare rules, taxes, and surcharges across hundreds of routes. Human error is inevitable:
- Fuel surcharges accidentally set to $0
- Currency conversion mistakes ($200 instead of €200)
- Fare class filed incorrectly
- Taxes applied wrong
- Sale prices applied to wrong routes
When these errors go live, fares might be 50-90% below normal prices.
Where to Find Error Fares
You won't find error fares by checking airline websites randomly. They appear unpredictably and disappear quickly. Best sources:
- Deal alert services: Secret Flying, The Points Guy, Scott's Cheap Flights, and similar services monitor fares 24/7 and alert subscribers immediately
- Reddit: r/travel and r/churning communities share deals fast
- Twitter/X: Deal accounts tweet mistake fares in real-time
- FlyerTalk forums: Experienced travelers share finds
Acting on Error Fares
Speed is everything. Error fares typically last:
- A few hours if they're widely publicized
- Sometimes just minutes for obvious mistakes
- Occasionally a day or two if the error isn't spotted
When you see one: book first, think later. Use the 24-hour cancellation rule as your safety net.
Will Airlines Honor Error Fares?
Here's the uncomfortable truth: airlines aren't legally required to honor mistake fares. The Department of Transportation used to pressure airlines to honor them, but that changed in 2015. Now airlines can cancel error fare tickets.
However, many airlines still honor them because:
- Bad PR from cancelling thousands of tickets
- Cost of processing cancellations and refunds
- Customer goodwill considerations
Some airlines (like Delta and United) have reputations for honoring mistakes. Others cancel more readily.
Increasing Your Odds of Honor
- Don't publicize: The more attention an error gets, the more likely airlines cancel
- Book directly with airline: Third-party bookings are easier to cancel
- Wait quietly: Don't call to confirm or change the ticket. Just wait.
- Give it time: If they don't cancel within a few weeks, you're probably safe
What Not to Do
- Don't book non-refundable hotels or activities until the ticket is confirmed
- Don't brag on social media with your confirmation number visible
- Don't call the airline unless absolutely necessary
- Don't spend money you can't afford to lose on travel insurance for an unconfirmed trip
Managing Expectations
Error fares are exciting but unreliable. They're bonus opportunities, not a travel planning strategy. You can't count on finding one for a specific trip. Treat them as occasional gifts: if you happen to catch one, great. If not, book normal fares and move on.
A Note on Ethics
Some argue booking error fares is taking advantage. Here's another perspective: airlines have sophisticated pricing systems and make billions in profits. They can afford the occasional mistake. If a small store accidentally underpriced something, returning it would be kind. When United misfires a fare, the ethical calculus is different.