Mistake fares are the holy grail of flight deals. We're talking $200 round trip to Europe, $300 to Asia, or $99 domestic flights that normally cost $400. But they have one major catch: they disappear fast. Here's how to make sure you actually book them.
1. Turn on push notifications immediately
When we send a deal alert, every minute counts. Enable push notifications on your phone for Early Bird Air alerts. Don't rely on checking your email later because by then, the fare might already be corrected. Our fastest members book within 15 minutes of receiving an alert.
2. Keep your passport and payment info ready
The single biggest reason people miss mistake fares isn't speed. It's fumbling for their passport number or credit card during booking. Save your traveler profiles on major airline sites (United, Delta, American, Southwest) and OTAs like Google Flights. When a deal drops, you should be able to book in under 5 minutes.
3. Book first, ask questions later
This is the golden rule of mistake fares. Most airlines have a 24 hour free cancellation policy required by the DOT for flights to and from the U.S. Book the fare immediately, then figure out if the dates work, if you can get time off, or if your travel companion is interested. You can always cancel within 24 hours with no penalty.
4. Don't call the airline
Calling the airline about a mistake fare is the fastest way to get it cancelled. They may not even be aware of the error yet. Book online, keep quiet, and wait. Most mistake fares get honored. Airlines generally eat the loss rather than face the PR backlash of cancelling thousands of bookings.
5. Be flexible with dates and routes
Mistake fares rarely apply to one specific date. They usually affect an entire fare class or route for a range of dates. When you see a deal alert, check multiple date combinations. Sometimes the mistake affects one direction more than the other, or the pricing is better mid week than on weekends. Flexibility lets you find the absolute best version of the deal.
Bonus tip: Never post mistake fares on social media until after you've booked. The more attention a mistake fare gets, the faster airlines correct it.
Join Early Bird Air to get instant alerts when we find mistake fares from your airport.