TRAVELLERS can save hundreds of pounds by snagging a “mistake fare” – but they will have to be quick.
With the holiday season kicking off, travellers would be trying to strike a sweet bargain deal on fight tickets – and this tip could help snap up cheap fares.
A mistake fare essentially is an error that occurs when airlines or travel agents accidentally list the wrong price for a flight.
It might happen when airline staff accidentally leave out a zero – or two – while listing the cost of the ticket online.
They might also use a wrong far code to display the prices, allowing travellers to grab reduced fares.
It could also be a glitch in the system or a software fault.
Zach Griff, a senior reporter at The Point Guys, told HuffPost: “Mistake fares happen when airlines incorrectly file the price of a given flight.
“One of the recent mistake fares I found was a $700 round-trip ticket in Air France first class from Algeria to New York. That ticket typically retails for over $10,000, so it’s pretty clear that something was wrong with how it was pricing.”
The expert added: “Mistake fares can happen for many reasons, but some of the common reasons are currency conversion errors with travel agencies that incorrectly convert the fare into the local currency.
“It can also be errors from revenue management analysts who potentially miss a digit when inputting a fare or file a fare for business class at the price of economy.”
While the odds of airlines giving out “mistake fares” are fairly low, such incidents do occur from time to time – and travellers can save hundreds of pounds by just keeping an eye out.
However, they will have to be quick as airlines try to remove such fares as soon as possible once they spot it.
Meanwhile, a woman revealed a sneaky way to save hundreds of pounds on flights – even after booking them.
Taking to AFAR, the money-saver said passengers can book cheaper flights on deal tracking service Going.com.
Their booking site compares hundreds of fares to spot the best prices.
It can also detect when an airline has made a mistake and released the prices at the wrong price.
While these instances are rare, they do happen more than you might think.
It previously spotted several mistake fares – including round-trip flights between New York and Paris for US$230 (£189) and from Seattle to Tokyo for US$316 (£260).
It comes as an experienced flyer has shown travellers how to minimise the damage to their wallet as fees to check-in your luggage rise.
Passengers could save money from buying upgraded tickets, said the expert.
Other ways to save on your next flight
FOLLOWING these experet tips could save you hundreds while booking a flight ticket.
Be flexible: The travel company emphasised the importance of flexibility – saying that adjusting travel dates can offer a wealth of cost-saving options.
You could choose to travel during less popular travel days, like those out-of-school holidays, or during off-peak, slightly rogue times.
Consider last-minute deals: Although booking early is generally recommended to avoid disappointment, last-minute deals can also offer savings.
During off-peak seasons, travellers who book last minute could get some incredible discounts.
However, they added that the sweet spot for booking European holidays is usually five months before departure – booking then could yield a 47 per cent reduction in costs.
While booking long-haul flights six months in advance could save travellers a whopping 54 per cent off typical prices.
How can I rebook my flight?
If you have booked an overpriced flight, you still have the chance to protect your wallet by rebooking a cheaper option. Here’s how:
- Keep an eye on fares after booking your flight – you can use price alert trackers for updates.
- Navigate through Google Flights or airline websites, considering different dates and carriers.
- Once you spot a drop in fares seize the opportunity.
- Go through the rebooking process – ensuring to cancel and rebook where necessary to maximise savings.
- Consider cancelling the entire booking for added savings and flexibility.