Imagine booking a flight that normally costs $600—for just $50.
It sounds impossible, but it happens more often than you think. These deals are called mistake fares, and travelers around the world use them to score unbelievably cheap flights.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what mistake fares are, why airlines honor them, and a step-by-step process to find and book them before they disappear.
What Is a Mistake Fare?
A mistake fare is a flight price that’s published incorrectly due to an error by the airline or booking system.
These errors can be caused by:
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Currency conversion mistakes
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Human data entry errors
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Fare filing glitches
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System syncing problems
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Fuel surcharge miscalculations
When this happens, flights can appear 80–90% cheaper than normal.
Real Examples
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New York → Paris for $99
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Los Angeles → Tokyo for $180
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London → New York for $50
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Business class tickets cheaper than economy
Yes—people actually book these.
Why Airlines Sometimes Honor Mistake Fares
You might wonder: Why don’t airlines just cancel them?
Here’s why mistake fares often work:
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Customer trust – Canceling hurts brand reputation
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Legal pressure – Some regions require honoring published prices
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PR value – Honoring fares avoids bad press
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Cost analysis – Sometimes it’s cheaper to honor than fix
⚠️ Airlines can cancel mistake fares—but many don’t, especially if tickets are booked quickly.
Step-by-Step: How to Find Mistake Fares
Step 1: Stop Searching Like a Normal Traveler
Mistake fares do not last long—sometimes minutes, sometimes hours.
Searching randomly on Google Flights won’t work unless you’re very lucky.
You need alerts, not manual searching.
Step 2: Follow Mistake Fare Sources (Most Important Step)
These platforms constantly scan airline systems for pricing errors:
Popular Mistake Fare Sources
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Secret Flying
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The Flight Deal
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Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going)
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Airfarewatchdog
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Fly4Free
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Holiday Pirates
Proof
These sites show:
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Original price
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Mistake price
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Screenshots
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Time stamps
They don’t create the deals—they detect real airline errors.
Step 3: Be Extremely Flexible
Mistake fares almost always require flexibility.
You must be okay with:
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Random destinations
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Unexpected dates
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Midweek departures
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Long layovers
Example:
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$50 flight exists on Tuesday, not Friday
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Only valid for specific dates
Rigid travelers miss mistake fares. Flexible travelers win.
Step 4: Book Immediately (No Hesitation)
When you see a mistake fare:
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Do NOT wait
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Do NOT call the airline
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Do NOT double-check for hours
Book first, think later.
Mistake fares disappear fast because:
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Airlines fix errors
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Fare buckets close
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Too many people book
⏱️ Speed matters more than perfection.
Step 5: Book Directly With the Airline (If Possible)
Whenever possible:
✔️ Book on the airline’s official website
✔️ Avoid third-party booking sites
✔️ Use a credit card
Why?
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Easier refunds if canceled
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Better chance airline honors ticket
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Faster confirmation
Step 6: Wait Before Booking Hotels (Critical Rule)
After booking a mistake fare:
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Wait 48–72 hours
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Don’t book hotels immediately
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Don’t book non-refundable tours
Why?
Airlines sometimes cancel mistake fares within the first 24–48 hours.
Once your ticket remains active after that window, chances are high it’s safe.
How People Actually Fly for $50 (Proof Logic)
Here’s how the math works:
Normal fare:
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Base fare: $400
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Taxes & fees: $100
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Total: $500
Mistake fare:
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Base fare error: $0–$20
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Taxes still apply: $30–$50
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Total: $50–$70
The taxes are real—the base fare is broken.
That’s why $50 flights exist.
Risks of Mistake Fares (Be Honest)
Mistake fares are real—but not risk-free.
Possible Risks
❌ Airline cancels ticket
❌ Route or schedule changes
❌ Fare corrected before ticketing
How to Reduce Risk
✔️ Book fast
✔️ Book directly
✔️ Avoid loyalty numbers initially
✔️ Wait before planning extras
Most experienced travelers accept this small risk for massive savings.
Mistake Fare Myths (Debunked)
❌ “They’re illegal” → No
❌ “Airlines never honor them” → False
❌ “You’ll get banned” → Very rare
❌ “Only influencers get them” → Anyone can
Mistake fares are public pricing errors, not hacks.
Final Verdict: Are Mistake Fares Worth It?
✔️ Worth It If:
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You’re flexible
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You act fast
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You accept small risk
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You want extreme savings
❌ Not Worth It If:
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You need fixed dates
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You hate uncertainty
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You’re traveling for business
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You can’t risk cancellation
Bottom Line
Mistake fares are the cheapest way people fly, period.
They’re not scams.
They’re not myths.
They’re airline errors—and smart travelers know how to catch them.
If you follow the steps above, you won’t just read about $50 flights—you’ll actually book one.