If you’re an avid flight deal connoisseur, then you have probably heard the term “glitch fare” when it comes to cheap flights.
Glitch fares are the perfect way to score flights for a fraction of the cost. To take advantage of these fares, you must first know how they happen.
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How Do Glitch Fares Happen?
Fuel surcharge Omissions: Typically, on an airline ticket you are charged for base fare, taxes, and a fuel surcharge. These fuel surcharges were added to airline reservations in 1973 after the oil crisis. Since this new line-item was added after airline reservation systems were created, there are times where glitches/errors occur and the fuel charge is omitted. The cost for airlines to update their systems outweighs the potential loss they may suffer from these errors.
Human Error: This is self-explanatory. Humans + computers = errors.
Currency Conversion Error: Some airline systems get confused when attempting to convert from one currency to another and the reservation system reflects that.
How To Find Glitch Fares?
The easiest way is to subscribe to various airfare sites that announce these error fares. Some of our favorites include Secret Flying, Airfarewatchdog, and The Flight Deal. It’s best to subscribe to their email lists so that you don’t miss these sales when they are found. Or, you can simply subscribe to Travel Noire, and we will do our best to keep you updated too.
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What To Do After You Purchase a Glitch Fare?
Once you find a great glitch fare and purchase, you are not totally in the clear. It is best to wait at least a week after purchase to ensure the glitch will be honored. More often than not, airlines become aware of the glitch. It is up to them whether or not to confirm the tickets at that error price.
If the fare is not honored, the airline will send notice and provide additional information about refunds. If the fare is honored and you are given a confirmation, then you are all set to finalize any additional plans for the trip.
While glitch fares can be a toss-up, it is better to take advantage of the error price once they are announced. These deals go very quickly even if it has not be confirmed that the fare will be honored. You will have anywhere from a few hours to a full day to take advantage of an error fare. So, make sure that you stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.
