![]() For example, Norwegian offers a package over their base fare which only includes a carry-on bag. TIP: Always check both the roundtrip and one way fares for your destination and know what la carte services the airline offers. Make sure you understand the whole picture of what you're paying for because those items can add up quickly. One way Spirit and Frontier flights are so cheap is that they're "bare bones" fares, meaning everything is an add-on. Eight years later, it's become almost the norm, along with extra fees for meals, seat selection, and other “perks” that were once considered standard. In May 2008, American Airlines became the first major airline to charge for checked baggage. Not only will you have a higher chance of the fare being honored, you’ll also know exactly what is and isn’t included in the price. TIP: Whenever possible, book directly through the airline. That's not a fun surprise to discover at the airport when add-ons are significantly more expensive. ![]() Some of these sites even charge you a higher tiered fare while booking you on a lower priced ticket that may exclude baggage, meals, or seat selection. Since these sites aren't managed by the airline, they don't always offer the same security and consumer protection of a purchase. One of the biggest dangers facing travelers searching for glitch fares are the deals found on third party sites like Expedia or Priceline. If a ticket has been issued, then you are free to book the rest of your trip. The airline will usually message you within a day or two regarding your reservations status. ![]() TIP: Don’t book any accommodations or tours without a fully confirmed ticket. Various reasons are cited by the airlines as the source of these “glitches,” each essentially absolving themselves of responsibility, but you need to understand that you may not get that amazing deal - it's a gamble. The legality of canceling these fares has been debated both publicly and in court for years, but no real decision has ever been reached. The reality of true glitch fares (mistakes) is that the airline may not honor them. The key is constant research and plugging into a network. SecretFlying (Facebook) and are two of the best for current discussions. TIP: Join a Facebook group or forum dedicated to glitch and discounted fares. You still have plenty of opportunities to grabbed deeply discounted airfare if you know where to look. If you aren’t able to capture a glitch fare, don’t worry. Deeply discounted fares are occasionally used to promote a struggling flight route, or introduce a new one. The truth is, many of these deeply discounted fares were created on purpose. ![]() Let’s put aside the idea that a multi-billion dollar industry would somehow use faulty computer pricing systems. ![]() But the majority of the time, most of these glitch fares aren’t actually glitches at all. The most common instance is that airport taxes, fuel surcharges or other fees aren’t added to the base fare. Glitch fares can occur because of human error. In fact, it's used so often that consumers may even believe they can’t get a great deal without a mistake. “Glitch Fare” has become a buzz word to encompass any type of highly discounted airfare. Here's when to take advantage of a glitch fare and what you need to know to protect yourself. While mistakes do happen on occasion, it’s not nearly as often as you'd like to believe. It’s believed that these miss-priced fares are mistakes made by the airlines or a third party booking website. You know, that rumored $50 flight to Europe or ridiculously low fare to Hawaii that's just too good to be true. In recent years we’ve seen a surge in what people call “glitch” fares. ![]()
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