Guide ·
Mistake fares, explained
A mistake fare is a price an airline did not mean to sell: a currency slip, a missing surcharge, a fare filed with a wrong digit. They are rare in Business and First, and they rarely last. We flag a fare as a possible mistake only when it passes every test below.
How we spot one
A fare is marked "Possible mistake fare" when all of these hold:
- it is at least 60% below both Google's usual price and our own median for the route and trip length;
- it is no more than 50% of that median, and the median rests on at least 12 of our prices;
- it is no more than 1% above the lowest price we have ever seen from the same airline on the route;
- and the airline is not one whose normal fares sit far below the route's: Azerbaijan Airlines, Air Astana, Uzbekistan Airways, or any airline whose own median on the route is under half the route's median.
We need every test because a big discount against a stale usual price is more often a problem with the usual price than an airline error. A fare that passes goes to members at once, whatever the airline, with the label on the alert, the card and the deal page. We re-check these first.
What to do
- Don't phone the airline about the price.
- Wait for the e-ticket number before you book anything else.
- Keep other bookings refundable until then.
- Pay by credit card.
Book quickly, with the airline or through the Google Flights link. A booking reference is not a ticket; the e-ticket number can take a day or more. Phoning the airline can draw attention to the fare before your ticket is issued.
Will the airline honour it
Often not. Australian Consumer Law does not force an airline to honour an obvious pricing error. The US Department of Transportation dropped its rule on honouring them in 2015. If the airline cancels, it normally refunds the fare. If a refund stalls, a card chargeback is the fallback.
Recent possible mistake fares
From our board, each at least 24 hours old.
- Singapore to Johannesburg, First, Etihad Airways: A$9,770, 68% below usual. Found Fri 6 Nov 2026. Cheaper at the last check: A$8,560 · last checked 14 Nov, 15:07 (Sydney).
Members get these the moment we find them. Fifteen fares a day are free on the home page. Founding members: A$99 a year, kept for as long as you stay a member. Or A$19 a month. The price for new members goes to A$149 when the founding offer ends. Become a member. See also Cheap Business class flights from Australia.
Questions people ask
What is a mistake fare?
A price an airline did not mean to sell, such as a currency slip or a missing surcharge. They are rare in Business and First, and they usually disappear within hours.
Do airlines honour mistake fares?
Sometimes. Some airlines issue the tickets and fly them; others cancel and refund. Australian Consumer Law does not force an airline to honour an obvious pricing error, and the US Department of Transportation dropped its honouring rule in 2015. If a refund stalls, a card chargeback is the fallback.
How do you know if a fare is a mistake?
We flag a possible mistake fare when it is at least 60% below both Google's usual price and our median for the route and trip length, no more than half that median, and at the lowest price we have seen from that airline on the route.
Should I call the airline after booking a mistake fare?
No. Wait until the e-ticket number is issued, and keep the rest of your plans refundable until then.
Prices are what Google Flights showed when we looked, for one adult, and change quickly. Not affiliated with Google. Updated Sat 14 Nov 2026 from our own data.