Error Fares: When Airline Pricing Systems Fail
Airline pricing systems process millions of calculations daily, managing complex variables across thousands of routes. Occasionally, these systems malfunction, creating “error fares” that price flights at fractions of their intended cost. While rare, error fares represent some of the most dramatic savings opportunities in travel, with documented cases of business class international tickets selling for economy prices or transcontinental flights priced at $50.
Error fares typically result from technical glitches, currency conversion errors, or manual input mistakes. A classic example occurred in 2019 when Cathay Pacific accidentally sold business class tickets from Vietnam to New York for $675 instead of $16,000 due to a currency coding error. The airline honored these tickets, creating windfall savings for alert travelers who spotted the mistake quickly.
Airlines generally fall into two categories regarding error fares: those that honor obviously mistaken prices and those that cancel bookings. Most major U.S. carriers will cancel error fare bookings and refund passengers, citing their contract of carriage terms. However, some international carriers, particularly in Europe, have stronger consumer protection laws requiring them to honor confirmed bookings even when pricing errors occur.
The error fare community operates through dedicated websites, social media channels, and email alerts that monitor airline pricing systems for anomalies. Secret Flying, Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going), and various Reddit communities specialize in identifying and sharing error fares within hours of their appearance. Speed is crucial—most error fares get corrected within 2-24 hours of discovery.
Successful error fare hunting requires several strategies. First, maintain flexible travel dates and destinations to capitalize on opportunities as they arise. Second, use multiple payment methods and booking platforms since airlines sometimes cancel error fares on specific channels while honoring others. Third, avoid discussing error fares publicly on social media, as this accelerates airline discovery and correction.
The ethical considerations are straightforward: if an airline confirms your booking and issues a ticket, most travel law experts consider the contract valid regardless of pricing errors. However, travelers should prepare for potential cancellations and have backup booking options ready.
Documentation proves crucial for error fare protection. Screenshot pricing pages, save confirmation emails, and print tickets immediately. Some travelers have successfully argued their cases with credit card companies when airlines attempt to charge price differences after honoring error fares.
The next insider secret involves leveraging airline loyalty systems…