Error Fares: How to Catch the Cheapest Flight of Your Life
Imagine this: you’re scrolling through flight deals and stumble upon a ticket from Sydney to São Paulo for $250 round-trip. Too good to be true? Probably. But sometimes, it’s not. You may have just found an error fare—a golden ticket to traveling the world for a fraction of the cost.
Error fares are airline pricing mistakes that slip through booking systems and appear as unbelievably cheap tickets. They’re rare, unpredictable, and disappear fast—but if you know how to spot them, you could save thousands on your next adventure.
What Exactly Is an Error Fare?
An error fare happens when an airline or online travel agency accidentally lists the wrong price. This can be caused by:
- Human mistakes: A missing zero, turning $1,200 into $120.
- Currency conversion glitches: Wrong exchange rates leading to bargain prices.
- System bugs: Pricing algorithms sometimes clash, producing absurdly low fares.
The result? A ticket that looks almost like a typo—but is live, bookable, and sometimes honored by the airline.
The Thrill and Risk of Error Fares
Here’s the catch: not all error fares are honored. Airlines can (and often do) cancel once they detect the mistake. That’s why frequent travelers treat error fares like lottery tickets: if it works, amazing; if not, you get a refund.
Golden Rule: Don’t make non-refundable plans until your ticket is confirmed.
How to Find an Error Fare
Error fares don’t appear on regular flight searches. You need the right tools and a bit of luck. Here are proven ways to maximize your chances:
1. Sign Up for Deal Alerts
Websites and newsletters dedicated to flight hacking often spot error fares before anyone else. Some of the best include:
- Secret Flying
- Fly4Free
- TravelPirates
- Dollar Flight Club
- WorldTravelerClub
These communities monitor airfare glitches 24/7 and send out alerts when something crazy pops up.
2. Be Flexible
The more open you are about dates and destinations, the better your odds. Error fares rarely appear for the exact route you want on the exact day you planned. Think of them as invitations to unexpected adventures.
3. Book First, Think Later
If you find an error fare, don’t hesitate. Book it immediately. Most airlines offer a 24-hour cancellation policy anyway, so you can always back out if it doesn’t fit your plans.
4. Pay with a Credit Card
This gives you extra protection in case the airline cancels or charges you incorrectly.
5. Keep Quiet (at First)
Sharing an error fare directly with the airline—or even asking if it’s real—can alert them to the mistake, increasing the chance it gets pulled. Book first, celebrate later.
Famous Error Fare Stories
- In 2016, Emirates accidentally listed Brazil–Australia round-trips for around AUD $214. Some tickets were honored, many were not, but for a few lucky travelers it was the deal of a lifetime.
- Qatar Airways once sold business class tickets at economy prices for certain routes, letting travelers fly in luxury for under $500.
These examples prove that error fares aren’t urban legends—they really happen.
Final Takeaway
Error fares are the holy grail of budget travel: rare, thrilling, and potentially life-changing. You can’t plan your trips around them, but you can prepare yourself to act fast when one appears.
Stay flexible, subscribe to deal alerts, and remember the golden rule: book first, plan later. Who knows—your next holiday might start with a “mistake” that takes you halfway across the world.
✨ Pro tip for Holachevvi readers: Set up alerts today, and you might just score a Christmas flight for the price of a dinner out.