How to Find Mistake Fares: Secrets Airlines Won’t Share

Key takeaways

• Mistake fares, also known as error or glitch fares, occur when airlines or OTAs sell tickets at significantly lower prices due to human errors, technology glitches, communication issues, currency fluctuations, or omitted fees. These fares are not very common and typically last only a few hours.
• If you find a mistake fare, book directly with the airline to ensure faster ticket processing and to take advantage of a 24-hour cancellation grace period. Non-refundable plans should be made only after confirming the ticket's validity.
• About 10% of mistake fares are canceled, often within 72 hours. If canceled, you typically receive a refund; airlines cannot retroactively charge you the full fare. If you incurred nonrefundable costs due to the cancellation, you may be eligible for reimbursement from the airline.
• To increase your chances of finding a mistake fare, sign up for a Going Premium or Elite membership. This is a hassle-free way to get the cheapest flights, including rare mistake fares, delivered right to your inbox or mobile device. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling on a budget or looking for a first-class flight for a business trip, finding cheap flights can be a game-changer. Here’s where one of the best-kept secrets in the travel industry comes in: mistake fares. These are rare but significant pricing errors that airlines sometimes make, allowing savvy travelers to score unbelievably low prices on flights.

Unfortunately, spotting these deals isn’t simple. With a Going membership, you can receive real-time alerts, making it easier than ever to snag one of these elusive deals before it’s gone. Going’s Limited Membership provides excellent savings for US travelers, typically saving around $200 per domestic deal, but you won't receive mistake fares. Premium and Elite members also receive alerts for international deals, as well as coveted mistake fares, further maximizing their savings.

What are mistake fares?

Mistake fares are rare deals that generally occur due to specific errors in fare calculations or ticketing processes. On average, mistake fares account for a very small percentage of total available flight deals, and they may only pop up every few weeks or months.

How do mistake fares occur

Human error

Even a simple typo or data entry mistake by an airline employee can lead to a dramatic price reduction, occasionally resulting in discounts of 50–90%.

Technology issues

Machines aren’t always infallible. The automated systems that set the prices may malfunction, posting fares that are much lower than intended. 

Communication problems

Sometimes, communication delays between the airline and booking platforms can result in pricing mismatches.

Foreign currencies

Currency exchange rates are constantly changing and can lead to miscalculations in fare prices.

Route-specific fees

Some mistake fares are caused by certain taxes or fees not being applied to specific routes or newly introduced routes, creating unintended discounts.

Why mistake fares are so valuable for travelers

Mistake fares offer unprecedented savings that can make previously unaffordable destinations accessible. Believe it or not, booking mistake fares can save you up to 90% off standard ticket price. This makes it possible to fly internationally for the price of a domestic fare.

How common are mistake fares?

We’re not going to lie to you, mistake fares are rare. Still, they’re not unheard of—sometimes offering discounts of up to 90% off standard tickets. Travel experts estimate that mistake fares may appear across airlines once every few weeks. The key is timing, since most mistake fares are available for a limited window before the airline spots and corrects the error.

How long do mistake fares last?

Mistake fares can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. It all depends on how quickly the airline catches the error. That’s why acting fast is crucial, as there’s no telling when the deal might disappear!

Having free flight alerts set up through Going makes you one of the first to know when mistake fares become available.

How to find mistake fares

Use flight tools and fare alerts

Since mistake fares to Europe and other destinations are uncommon, using flight-tracking tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner is a great start. These platforms can show real-time price trends, helping you spot a price that looks unusually low. However, since mistake fares have short availability windows, often lasting just a few hours, manual monitoring can only take you so far. 

Follow the right social media channels

When a mistake fare goes viral on social media, airlines often act fast to adjust the price, sometimes within minutes. Being among the first to know gives you a chance to snag these deals before they disappear. That’s where Going’s social media accounts can help you stay in the loop. 

However, given the speed at which these fares are corrected, sometimes they’re gone before we can even post about them. To make sure you’re truly first in line for mistake fares, download the Going app and enable notifications for instant alerts directly to your phone. 

Join email lists and newsletters

Similarly, subscribing to travel newsletters keeps you in the loop on all types of flight deals, including mistake fares. Going’s email deal alerts make this process even easier, curating the best deals and sending them directly to your inbox. 

Subscribe to travel blogs and communities

Engage with travel communities such as Reddit’s r/traveldeals, where mistake fares are often shared. Besides, participating in these forums gives you useful insights and tips from other travelers.

Join Premium, and save $500 on international flights for the price of a checked bag.

What should I do if I find a mistake fare?

As we have mentioned, if you find a mistake fare, it’s important to act quickly and wisely:

1. Buy your ticket directly with the airline. Booking directly with the airline is often the quickest way to confirm your ticket. Airlines typically issue tickets automatically, so you're more likely to get your ticket confirmed faster. Online travel agencies (OTAs), on the other hand, have to communicate with airlines to confirm your ticket, leaving time for the airline to correct the mistake fare and decline your ticket. Also, booking with the airline guarantees a 24-hour grace period (not always offered by OTAs), allowing you to cancel within 24 hours, even if the fare is honored.
2. Book as soon as possible. The window for booking mistake fares is often very short, so don’t delay if you find an unusually cheap fare. The moment you find a mistake fare is the best time to book a flight.
3. This is crucial, especially if the fare is canceled later. If the airline cancels your flight, they will usually refund you automatically and may even provide additional travel credits as a goodwill gesture. However, be aware of any nonrefundable fees associated with the purchase.
4. Hold off on booking hotels, car rentals, or other accommodations until your ticket is confirmed. In case the airline doesn’t honor the fare, you won’t have nonrefundable reservations tied to the trip. We recommend waiting two weeks before booking other travel services, as that is the average time airlines may take to cancel these flights.

Real-life mistake fares

To give you an idea of just how valuable mistake fares can be, here are some actual examples we've sent to members of Going: 

• Chicago to Rome for $249 roundtrip in business class
• NYC to Nairobi for $242 roundtrip
• LAX/SFO to Asia in business class for $600 roundtrip
• San Francisco to Buenos Aires for $233 roundtrip
• NYC to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands for $80 roundtrip

Risks and downsides of error fares

Can airlines retroactively charge me the full ticket amount?

Once a mistake fare is purchased, airlines can't charge you the full ticket amount later. However, they do reserve the right to cancel the booking and refund your purchase if they decide not to honor the fare.

What happens if my mistake fare doesn’t get honored?

Airlines will typically cancel the booking and refund the fare if they don’t intend to honor it. Unfortunately, this is the only action available, as mistake fares are not guaranteed by law.

My mistake fare was canceled. What should I do?

If the airline decides not to honor a mistake fare and cancels your booking, here’s what you can do:

• Airlines will provide a full refund if they cancel a mistake fare. Double-check your airline’s refund policy to understand the timing and process for getting your money back.
• Some airlines may offer rebooking options or suggest alternative flights (though usually at the regular cost). Compare these options to see if they still align with your budget and travel plans.
• Once you receive a cancellation notice, it can be helpful to search for alternative deals. Checking Going’s real-time alerts may help you find other flights to similar destinations at reduced rates.
• Some airlines grant monetary compensation for the inconvenience of canceling your flight, so be aware of their policy to stay alert for this.

Don’t rely on mistake fares for your vacation

As mentioned before, mistake fares are not impossible to find, but they are not common either. For that reason, it is great to come across one if you are willing to travel anytime, but we do not recommend considering them as one of your top strategies for saving. Instead, keep an eye out for regular discounts and promotions, as they are more common to find, especially when you don’t have much flexibility.

Tips for booking mistake fares

Be quick: Don’t let them escape!

When it comes to booking mistake fares, timing and strategy are essential. Book as soon as you spot a mistake fare to maximize your chances of securing it before the airline corrects it.

Keep it flexible

The more flexible you are with dates, times, and layovers, the higher your chances of finding and securing a mistake fare. Flexibility with travel dates and airports can make all the difference. For example, rather than being set on a direct route to your final destination, consider booking a mistake fare to a nearby city and taking a regional flight from there.

Understanding refund policies, terms, and conditions

Booking mistake fares carries some risk, as airlines may cancel your ticket once they identify the pricing error. If the fare isn’t honored, you'll automatically receive a full refund of the price, so you don’t need to worry about asking for a refund. 

However, it’s still important to check the airline’s cancellation and refund policies in case of any nonrefundable fees that may apply to your mistake fare. In those cases, you may need to request reimbursement for those fees from the airline. In most instances, though, airlines will refund the full amount. 

What to do if your flight is canceled

If your mistake fare booking is canceled, you should first check your email or airline portal to confirm. Also make sure the refund has gone through with your payment provider. Remember to keep a record of all communications with the airline, including any cancellation notices or refund confirmations, in case you need to follow up on your refund or make a claim.

Wait to book accommodation and other services

Since airlines sometimes cancel mistake fares after catching the error, it’s best to wait before booking any additional trip services, such as accommodation or excursions. Booking non-refundable items too early could lead to a huge headache if the airline ultimately cancels your flight. 

We recommend waiting around two weeks after booking a mistake fare to confirm that the airline honors it before making any other reservations. If the travel date falls within that two-week window, it’s ultimately at your discretion to assess the risks involved.

Get up to 90% off flights with Going’s alerts when airlines make rare pricing mistakes.

Don’t wait around—find real mistake fares today with Going!

With a Going membership, you don’t have to scour the internet daily to find mistake fares. Our team actively tracks and verifies mistake fares, sending you alerts as soon as they appear. Premium and Elite members receive real-time updates, ensuring they never miss out on the travel deals of a lifetime.

Whether you’re traveling with your friends on a budget or planning a family vacation abroad, Going’s mistake fare alerts give you exclusive access to cheap domestic and international flights. Start with a free Limited membership, or upgrade for international alerts and mistake fares today!