Are mistake fares legal to book?

Yes, but airlines can cancel them. In the US, airlines must honor tickets for 24 hours. After that, they can cancel mistake fares and offer refunds or rebooking at correct prices.

What's the difference between a mistake fare and a sale fare?

Mistake fares are pricing errors—often missing a digit or wrong currency. Sale fares are intentional promotions. Mistake fares are typically 70-90% off normal prices, while sales are usually 20-50% off.

Which airlines most commonly have mistake fares?

Large international carriers like Lufthansa, United, and Emirates have the most publicized mistakes. Budget airlines rarely have mistake fares since their prices are already low.

Should I buy travel insurance for mistake fare trips?

Absolutely. Since airlines can cancel mistake fares, travel insurance protects your other expenses if your trip falls through. Choose a policy that covers supplier default.

How to Use Mistake Fares to Save Hundreds on Flights

Mistake fares are pricing errors by airlines or booking sites that create deeply discounted tickets—sometimes 50-90% off normal prices. You can find them through dedicated websites, fare alerts, and flexible travel planning, but you need to book immediately and understand the risks.

Set up mistake fare alerts. Subscribe to Secret Flying, Scott's Cheap Flights (now Going), and The Flight Deal. Join mistake fare Facebook groups and Reddit's r/flights. Enable push notifications for immediate alerts.
Check mistake fare websites daily. Visit Secret Flying, Mistake Fares, and Travel Pirates every morning. Mistake fares typically last 2-24 hours, so daily checking is essential.
Book immediately when you find one. Don't hesitate. Book within 30 minutes of finding a legitimate mistake fare. Use a credit card that offers trip protection. Screenshot the booking confirmation and fare details.
Verify the booking. Check your airline account or call the airline within 24 hours. Get a confirmation that your booking is valid. Some mistake fares get canceled by airlines.
Wait before making other arrangements. Don't book hotels or make other plans for 7-14 days. Airlines have this window to cancel mistake fares. If it survives this period, your ticket is likely secure.

Are mistake fares legal to book?: Yes, but airlines can cancel them. In the US, airlines must honor tickets for 24 hours. After that, they can cancel mistake fares and offer refunds or rebooking at correct prices.
What's the difference between a mistake fare and a sale fare?: Mistake fares are pricing errors—often missing a digit or wrong currency. Sale fares are intentional promotions. Mistake fares are typically 70-90% off normal prices, while sales are usually 20-50% off.
Which airlines most commonly have mistake fares?: Large international carriers like Lufthansa, United, and Emirates have the most publicized mistakes. Budget airlines rarely have mistake fares since their prices are already low.
Should I buy travel insurance for mistake fare trips?: Absolutely. Since airlines can cancel mistake fares, travel insurance protects your other expenses if your trip falls through. Choose a policy that covers supplier default.