There’s a common local saying in South Africa by way of : WALALA WASALA! (you snooze you lose). When mistakes are published online (or is it sheer marketing genius?) you most definitely want to be at the right place at the right time.
Here are the golden rules to taking advantage of mistake fares.
1) Do NOT call the airline.
2) Book the fare you see as soon as possible. Do NOT delay.
3) Do not book non-refundable accommodation and destination activities yet. There is a chance the fare may not be honourd by the airline.
4) Spread the word quietly and inform those NOT to call the airline.
5) Do NOT call the airline.
How to find mistake fares.
I follow sites like Airfarewatchdog, The Flightdeal and Farecompare ( I have about a dozen destinations on my list here and receive a email once fare drops ).
You can also check Googleflights for each days availability and fare.
Once you have it either book it online at the airlines website or use a OTA ( online travel agency) – here you my have 24 hours to change or cancel if need be.
2015
South African Airways mistake of:
Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi $80 in Business class on code-share Etihad.
Many took advantage of the under R900 fare in ‘J’ for Julius fare class bookings.
Honourable Madam Chair , when is SAA going to pay back the money ?
SAA has declined to honour the mistake fare.
United Airlines mistake of:
Europe to North America ( including stop over). $70 First class return courtesy of foreign exchange error into Danish Krone.
Unlike the honouring of the $0 mistake airfare United had in August 2013, this time they declined to honour the airfare bookings.
2014
Etihad’s Christmas mistake of:
New York – Johannesburg $277 Return ! and New York – Abu Dhabi $178 Return !
That’s New York to Abu Dhabi Return for R2050,00
Etihad honours the bookings made.
Air Kenya Business Class $300 Bangkok – Hong Kong return.
Access the website HERE.
North Korea 0$ Airfares – Business class too!
Access their website here
2013
United Airlines 0$ loaded fares.
HOTEL MISTAKES
How’s the one below from CP Antalya, Turkey.
2u$ for a suite with Jacuzzi … Prices quoted are in South African Rands (ZAR)
Check below for the breakfast add on.
During a break in the Middle East I had a mattress run ( changing one to many hotels for a period of time to accumulate miles and points. By chance I encountered a mistake fare on the website below:
Looks like someone left a nice big fat juicy 5 off the end of the above price quoted AED148.
For some unknown reason the upgrade to next room category was out of order for the mistake rate.
On a different stay read my write up and review for Atlantis the Palm and the upgrade I received upon late check in to the suite next to the famous 140,000 AED per night suite (yes one forty k) under Latest Trips.