Error Fares Explained: How to Catch Mistake Pricing

Every so often, an airline publishes a fare that’s clearly a mistake—$200 business class to Europe, $50 flights across the country, $500 first class to Asia. These “error fares” are the holy grail of deal hunting. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is an Error Fare?

An error fare (also called a mistake fare) occurs when an airline accidentally publishes a price that’s significantly lower than intended. This can happen due to:

• Currency conversion errors: Confusing decimal places between currencies
• Fuel surcharge mistakes: Forgetting to add standard fees
• Human error: Someone types $200 instead of $2,000
• System glitches: Pricing software malfunctions

Are Error Fares Legal?

Yes, booking an error fare is completely legal. The question is whether airlines will honor them.

The Department of Transportation Rule

As of recent policy:

• Airlines can cancel error fare tickets within 24 hours
• After 24 hours, they typically must honor the fare
• Charging your card commits them to the price

Reality Check

Airlines handle error fares differently:

• Usually honor: Delta, United (post-24 hours)
• Sometimes cancel: American, British Airways
• Wild card: International carriers vary widely

How to Spot an Error Fare

Signs of a Potential Error

1. Too good to be true: 80-90% off normal pricing
2. Specific routes only: Not a broad sale
3. Limited availability: Often just a few days
4. Unusual routing: Sometimes requires strange connections
5. One-way anomaly: One direction priced normally, other absurdly cheap

Examples We’ve Seen

• Atlanta to London business class: $350 (normally $4,000+)
• Nashville to Tokyo: $180 roundtrip (normally $1,000+)
• Birmingham to Hawaii: $150 roundtrip (normally $500+)

How to Catch Error Fares

Speed Is Everything

Error fares typically last:

• Hours, not days
• Sometimes just minutes
• Rarely more than 24 hours

Where to Find Them

1. Catch The Fare alerts: We monitor 24/7 and email immediately
2. Travel deal communities: Reddit’s r/churning, FlyerTalk
3. Twitter/X deal accounts: @TheFlightDeal, @SecretFlying
4. Deal aggregator sites: The Flight Deal, Secret Flying

What to Do When You Find One

1. Book immediately: Don’t research, don’t compare, just book
2. Use a credit card: Not debit, for protection
3. Screenshot everything: Confirmation, pricing, all pages
4. Don’t call the airline: Drawing attention can kill the deal
5. Book refundable hotels separately: Don’t commit to non-refundables

After Booking: The Waiting Game

The 24-Hour Window

Airlines can legally cancel within 24 hours. Don’t celebrate yet.

Signs It’s Being Honored

• Ticket numbers are assigned
• You can select seats
• No cancellation email by day 2

If It Gets Cancelled

• You’ll get a full refund
• You’re not out any money
• It’s disappointing but not harmful

Should You Plan a Trip Around an Error Fare?

Do:

• Book immediately if interested
• Wait 48-72 hours before booking hotels
• Consider trip insurance for non-refundables

Don’t:

• Book non-refundable hotels same day
• Tell your boss you need time off immediately
• Assume it will definitely be honored

Famous Error Fares

United “Free” Flights (2008)

A glitch priced flights at $0 + taxes. United honored all bookings.

Delta Hong Kong (2014)

Atlanta to Hong Kong for $25. Delta honored it.

British Airways First Class (2019)

$500 transatlantic first class. Partially honored after backlash.

The Ethics Question

Is booking error fares ethical? Perspectives:

Pro-booking arguments:

• Airlines profit billions annually
• Deals create customer loyalty
• It’s a published, legal price

Caution arguments:

• Sometimes travel agents lose commissions
• Smaller airlines may suffer more
• There’s a luck/gambling element

Most deal hunters see it as fair game—airlines set the prices, we book them.

Setting Up for Success

Have These Ready

• Credit card with good travel protection
• Passport (valid for 6+ months)
• Flexible vacation time
• Quick decision-making ability

Create Alerts

Sign up for Catch The Fare and we’ll email when error fares appear from Southern airports.

Follow Multiple Sources

Error fares spread through deal communities. The more sources you follow, the faster you’ll know.

The Bottom Line

Error fares are rare but real. They’re completely legal to book, and airlines usually honor them—especially after 24 hours. The key is speed and preparation.

Set up your alerts, keep your passport current, and be ready to book fast. Your $200 trip to Europe might be one pricing mistake away.