Ever wondered what an error fare is and how to snag one? If you’re dreaming of flying on the cheap, like to Malaysia and back for under 200 EUR, you might be in luck. Sometimes, airlines list prices that low due to mistakes. These goofs, known as “error fares,” aren’t intentional but come about by accident. Let me break down how these errors happen and how you can benefit from them.
So, what’s an error fare? It’s simply a flight ticket price that drops dramatically due to a human or computer error.
How do these fare errors come about? They can be the result of tired employees typing in the wrong numbers or computer glitches involving currency conversions or omissions of certain costs like fuel or taxes. Let’s dig deeper:
Human Error:
A moment of fatigue or a slip of the finger when entering flight prices can lead to significant mispricing, resulting in much lower fares.
Currency Conversion Errors:
When fares are converted from one currency to another, there’s a risk of miscalculation. These mistakes can turn into your advantage with much cheaper tickets.
Missing Fuel Surcharges and Other Fees:
Fuel surcharges, which started back in the 1970s during the oil crisis, make up a big part of ticket prices. Sometimes these surcharges are accidentally left out, making for a much lower fare.
Why don’t airlines catch and fix these problems right away? With so many flights and often outdated reservation systems, errors are bound to slip through. Correcting these mistakes is costly and time-consuming, so airlines might just let them be.
But where can you find these magical low-cost tickets? The easiest way is to follow blogs that keep track of error fares, like TravelFree.info. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter for real-time updates.
Here are some tips for securing an error fare:
– Do not call the airline about the price error. If you alert them, the fare will be corrected, meaning prices will skyrocket.
– Always pay for your flights with a debit or credit card. Paying cash means going to the airline’s office, where the error will likely be spotted.
– Be patient and avoid making other reservations right away. Airlines have the right to correct their mistakes and change prices.
– Double-check your ticket status on sites like Check My Trip to see if it’s confirmed or canceled. If your reservation number is displayed, there’s a good chance your ticket is secure.
– Act fast because error fares on low-cost airlines don’t last long. If you spot one, book immediately!
Happy travels and good luck hunting for those error fares!