Want to fly for a fraction of the normal price—or even close to free? Error fares and glitch deals might be your golden ticket. Airlines and booking systems sometimes make mistakes, offering flights at absurdly low prices before correcting them. Savvy travelers can snag these deals before they vanish.
Here’s your guide to finding and booking error fares so you can travel the world for almost nothing.
What Are Error Fares & Glitch Deals?
Error fares happen when airlines, online travel agencies (OTAs), or booking systems accidentally display incorrect ticket prices due to:
- System glitches (e.g., missing fuel surcharges, currency conversion errors)
- Human input mistakes (e.g., wrong decimal placements)
- Fare rule loopholes (e.g., incorrect routing combinations)
While airlines can technically cancel these tickets, many honor them to avoid backlash. Experts estimate that 80% of error fares still get honored, making them a real opportunity.
How to Find Error Fares
1. Follow Error Fare Deal Trackers
Websites and forums specializing in flight deals hunt for pricing mistakes and alert subscribers within minutes. Top resources include:
unsuccessfully:
- Secret Flying – Posts real-time deals with instructions.
- Fly4Free – Great for last-minute error fares.
- The Flight Deal – Highlights major pricing mistakes.
- r/ErrorFares (Reddit) – A community sharing newly found deals.
2. Set Up Fare Alerts
- Google Flights – Track price drops.
- Skyscanner – Set price alerts for specific routes.
- Airfarewatchdog – Sends mistake fares via email.
3. Use VPNs to Find Regional Pricing
Airlines sometimes display different prices based on location. By switching your VPN to another country (e.g., booking while "located" in Brazil, Turkey, or Vietnam), you might unlock hidden error fares that aren’t visible in your home country.
Tips for Booking Error Fares
Once you find a deal, speed is critical—these fares can disappear in minutes.
✅ Do:
- Book Immediately – Don’t wait; fares can get fixed quickly.
- Pay with a Credit Card – Provides protection if the airline cancels.
- Avoid Connecting Flights – Non-stop fares are more likely to be honored.
- Check Airline Policies – Some (like British Airways) honor errors; others (like Emirates) cancel quickly.
❌ Don’t:
- Call the Airline – This flags the mistake, increasing cancelation risk.
- Book Add-ons (Baggage, Seats) – Wait until the ticket is confirmed.
- Make Non-Refundable Plans – Some airlines may still void the booking later.
Will Airlines Honor the Error?
Most do, but there’s no guarantee. To improve your odds:
- If contacted by the airline, politely insist on honoring the fare (citing DOT or EU consumer laws where applicable).
- If canceled, request a full refund or compensation (e.g., vouchers).
Best Recent Error Fare Examples
Past glitch deals have included:
- $350 roundtrip from the U.S. to Europe.
- $100 flights from New York to Hawaii.
- Business class for economy prices.
These deals pop up unexpectedly—staying alert is key.
Final Thoughts
Error fares won’t last forever, but with the right tools and quick action, you can fly for pennies on the dollar. Follow deal sites, monitor pricing, and be ready to book instantly.
Happy (and cheap) travels! ✈️
Do you have a success story with error fares? Share in the comments!
