Long-haul flights for as little as £39 are being snapped up by a growing number of UK travellers, thanks to the discovery of 'error fares'. These rare pricing glitches, which occur when airlines inadvertently publish incorrect prices due to system or human error, can lead to substantial discounts on flights and even upgrades.
While the adage 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is' often holds, error fares represent a genuine exception. For instance, Jack's Flight Club recently highlighted a return flight from London to Los Angeles priced at an astonishing £39. Other examples include London to Orlando for £266, Dublin to Phuket for approximately £474, and Edinburgh to Istanbul for £116.
Specialised websites such as Jack's Flight Club and HolidayPirates actively monitor the internet for these accidental low fares. They then disseminate the information rapidly to their members via newsletters and WhatsApp groups, allowing quick-thinking individuals to book before the errors are corrected. While it is possible to search for these manually by setting price alerts, error fares are infrequent, making dedicated services more effective.
Booking an error fare requires immediate action, as these deals typically vanish quickly once discovered. It is strongly advised not to contact the airline before booking, as this may prompt them to rectify the mistake before you can secure the fare. However, there are inherent risks involved; while Jack's Flight Club estimates that 70-80% of identified error fares are honoured, airlines are not legally compelled to uphold them and can cancel bookings within a reasonable period.
To mitigate potential financial losses, experts recommend delaying the booking of non-refundable elements of a trip, such as hotels or car hire, for at least a week after securing an error fare. Opting for accommodation with free cancellation policies is a sensible precaution. Should an airline cancel an error fare, passengers will receive a refund for the flight, but could be left out of pocket for other non-refundable expenses.