How to Find Error Fares and Save Big on Flights

Error fares are accidental flight deals caused by airline or booking site mistakes. With the right tools and timing, you can score roundtrip international flights for a fraction of their normal price. Here's how to find and safely book these hidden travel gems.

• Currency conversion glitches
• Manual input mistakes
• Fuel surcharges being left out
• System bugs during price updates

While airlines may cancel these fares, many choose to honor them to protect their reputation—especially if booked directly or through major platforms.

• NordVPN – check prices from multiple country IPs
• Google Flights & Skyscanner – fast flight search engines
• Secret Flying & Going (Scott's Cheap Flights) – real-time deal alerts
• Kayak & Hopper – price tracking tools

Using a VPN like NordVPN lets you see geo-restricted pricing and unlock exclusive deals.

• Search from different countries using a VPN
• Compare flights in multiple currencies
• Use flexible date searches
• Try multi-city routes
• Always compare OTAs and direct airline sites

• Late night or early morning
• During system maintenance (often weekends)
• When new routes are announced
• During major sales events

• Book immediately — they don't last long
• Use a credit card with travel protection
• Do not call the airline about it
• Wait 24–48 hours before making other plans
• Screenshot everything during checkout

• US ↔ Asia (especially Japan, China)
• Europe ↔ South America
• Australia ↔ Europe
• Cross-continent multi-leg flights

• Book directly with airlines when possible
• Avoid booking multiple seats
• Don't post the deal online while active
• Save confirmation emails and screenshots

• New York to Tokyo: $261 round trip
• London to Buenos Aires: £179 return
• Los Angeles to Dubai: $287 round trip
• Sydney to Paris: AU$499 return

Finding error fares is part strategy, part timing. With the right tools and habits, you can fly around the world for a fraction of the usual price.