What to Do When You Find a Glitch Fare

Did you see the recent NYC to South Africa glitch fare I posted on my Facebook page? If not, it was one of the many flight deals I’ve shared. Since seeing the ultimate glitch fare, NYC to Abu Dhabi for $187 on Christmas Day in 2014, and not taking it, I’ve tried my best to move quickly whenever I spot one.

A few weeks before our trip to Barbados, my cousin and I found a glitch fare to Greece for September. Greece has always been on my list, so getting my flight for under $200 felt like a major win. These kinds of hidden flight deals don’t come around often, but when they do, they can completely change your travel plans.

If you’re new to traveling or unsure what to do when you spot a mistake fare, here are five simple tips, plus a few extra strategies to help you make the most of error flights when they appear.

What Is a Glitch Fare?

A glitch fare (also called error flights or airline mistake fares) happens when an airline or booking site accidentally lists tickets at a significantly lower price than intended. This can happen due to:

Currency conversion errors
Human pricing mistakes
Technical glitches
Missing fuel surcharges
Incorrect fare rules

Sometimes these fares are honored. Other times, airlines cancel them. That’s why knowing what to do quickly matters.

1. Book the Flight Immediately

Glitch fares go fast; sometimes in minutes. If you see one, book it right away. Don’t overthink it.

Many travelers purchase tickets for themselves and their travel buddy(ies) to make sure everyone is covered. If you do this, try to choose options that are refundable or allow free cancellation within 24 hours.

When it comes to finding airline mistake fares, speed is everything. By the time a deal hits mainstream travel sites, it may already be gone.

2. Don’t Contact the Airline

This one is important. There are mixed opinions, but I personally don’t recommend calling the airline to confirm a glitch fare.

These cheap flights tickets often exist because the airline hasn’t caught the error yet. Calling attention to it can lead to the fare being removed faster.

Once you book, you’ll receive:

A confirmation code
An e-ticket number
A confirmation email

That’s enough. You can verify everything online. If the airline needs to contact you, they will.

3. Make Sure You Can Cancel if Needed

Whenever I book a mistake fare, I make sure I can cancel within 24 hours and purchase travel insurance. This gives you breathing room to:

Confirm vacation time
Find a travel partner
Budget for accommodations
Decide if the destination makes sense

U.S. regulations often require airlines to allow free cancellation within 24 hours. This rule is helpful when booking cheap flight sites during a pricing error.

I also recommend getting travel insurance. It’s usually inexpensive and can protect your investment if plans change due to emergencies. I once canceled a flight to Paris and got my money back thanks to insurance. The insurance only cost me about $30.

4. Tell a Friend

Don’t keep a good deal to yourself. Share it with friends, family, or your travel group. Some of my best trips started because someone said, “If you go, I’ll go.”

Just make sure they understand:

They need to book quickly
The fare may not be honored
Dates may be limited
Flexibility is key

5. Monitor Your Reservation

After booking, don’t just forget about it. Airlines sometimes:

Change flight times
Adjust routes
Cancel segments

Keep your confirmation number handy and check periodically. You can also use travel apps like Tripit or Kayak to track changes and organize your itinerary.

Tools to Track Glitch Fares

If you’re serious about learning how to find airline mistake fares, these tools can help:

Flight alert websites
Email deal newsletters
Travel deal communities
A dedicated mistake fare finder service
Price tracking apps

These platforms often share hidden flight deals before they disappear.

Be Flexible With Your Travel Plans

One thing I’ve learned: glitch fares work best if you’re flexible. You may need to:

Travel mid-week
Fly from a different airport
Take a long layover
Book separate positioning flights

But the savings on cheap flight tickets can make it worth it, especially for bucket list destinations.

Know That Glitch Fares Aren’t Guaranteed

Even after booking, airlines can cancel error flights. If that happens, you’ll usually receive a full refund. This is another reason not to book hotels or tours immediately.

My rule of thumb is to wait a few days for cancellations or schedule changes before fully planning your trip.

Glitch fares are one of the best ways to travel more while spending less. If you see a mistake fare, don’t panic. Book it, stay flexible, and give yourself time to plan. The worst-case scenario is a refund. The best-case scenario? You’re on your way to a destination that wasn’t even on your radar.