How to Find Mistake Fares to Las Vegas: Tools and Alerts

Ever thought you could score a flight to Las Vegas for less than the cost of a fancy dinner? It sounds like a dream, but these deals are out there. They call them mistake fares, and with a bit of strategy, anyone can grab one. Sometimes these wild airfares show up for just minutes, with roundtrip flights slashed by hundreds of dollars. You don’t need luck, just a good plan, the right alerts, and the best tools on your side. Start now, and you could be packing for Vegas without gutting your savings.

What Are Mistake Fares and Why Do They Happen?

Mistake fares (also called error or glitch fares) are unusually cheap airline tickets. Airlines publish them by accident. Maybe someone dropped a zero, left out a fuel surcharge, or a computer mixed up the currency. These slips happen more often than you’d expect, especially when airlines update prices or partners connect their systems.

Picture finding a roundtrip flight from Las Vegas to Sydney for $561 when it usually costs over $1,200. It’s rare, but deals like this do appear, and not just for international flights. You could see one-way fares to Vegas for less than $20, when they’re often much higher.

Common reasons for mistake fares:

• Typing errors during manual fare entry.
• Technology hiccups or messed-up currency conversions.
• Taxes or surcharges missing from the final price.

If you grab one in time, your savings can hit 75% or even 90% off the sticker price. Every route can have a mistake fare. Las Vegas is no different, with deals popping up from cities across the U.S., Canada, and beyond.

Best Tools and Alerts for Catching Las Vegas Mistake Fares

Catching mistake fares means staying one step ahead. You need alerts that go off the minute prices drop. The best flight deal sites and fare trackers give you instant notice, so you can book before the airline corrects the price. Some services are free, while others charge for faster or more detailed alerts.

Here’s a quick rundown of top tools and services:

Key advice:

• Set up alerts on your phone for faster notification.
• Use email filters so deal alerts never get buried.
• Follow top deal sites and accounts on Twitter or Facebook for urgent updates.
• Try one or two paid services if you want the best shot at fast, exclusive mistake fares.

A paid service can pay for itself with one good fare. If you want every possible shot at Vegas flights under $100, stack a few tools together.

Setting Up and Using Fare Alerts the Smart Way

Most people miss error fares because they arrive late to the party. Set up the right alerts, and you’ll never be caught napping. Here’s how to stay ahead using free services:

Google Flights

1. Search your route (e.g., Los Angeles to Las Vegas).
2. Toggle “Track prices.”
3. Get email push alerts the instant fares drop, sometimes right after a mistake posts.

KAYAK

1. Use “Price Alerts” for your target dates and routes.
2. Turn on app and email notifications.
3. Keep your app updated for best speed.

Skyscanner

1. Choose Vegas as your destination.
2. Hit “Get Price Alerts” once you select dates.
3. Try different dates, since mistake fares often show up at odd times.

Hopper

1. Enter your cities, set the watch alert.
2. Hopper will tell you when fares dip fast.
3. Stay flexible with airports and travel days for better odds.

Extra tip:
Try the “Explore” feature on Google Flights or Skyscanner. If you have open travel dates, these can show wild deals you’d otherwise miss. A flexible date search often reveals the steepest drops.

Trusted Deal Services: Going, Thrifty Traveler, Secret Flying, and More

Sometimes, a bot alert is not enough. This is where pro flight deal sites step in. They catch error fares in real time, sometimes before automatic trackers even notice.

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights):
Get free basic email alerts for general deals, but paid members get urgent, city-specific mistake fares first. Las Vegas has frequent coverage due to its popularity.

Thrifty Traveler Premium:
Paid service with real-time, hand-picked alerts. Includes rare Vegas mistake fares plus lots of cross-country deals.

Secret Flying and ErrorFareAlerts:
Free to use, no signup needed. Check their homepage, Twitter, or push alerts via app. Secret Flying filters out old or expired deals fast.

Bonus advice:
Subscribe to as many as you can handle. Free options are fine but serious deal hunters often prefer a paid membership for faster notification. Follow their social media for last-minute flash deals, since mistake fares can be gone in under an hour.

How to Book, Secure, and Protect Your Mistake Fare

Found an unbelievable price to Las Vegas? Move fast. Here’s how to make your score stick:

1. Book directly with the airline when possible. Third-party sites risk slower ticketing and refunds.
2. Don’t buy non-refundable hotels or rental cars yet. Mistake fares are risky. Airlines sometimes cancel within days.
3. Wait at least a week or two to lock in other non-refundable travel plans. Let your flight confirmation settle.

Roughly 10-20% of mistake fares get canceled by the airline. You’ll get a full refund if that happens. Don’t argue if you miss out—just keep alerts set and try again.

If your fare is canceled, contact the airline for a refund confirmation. Most will process refunds quickly, but save your booking record and email just in case. If everything clears, go ahead and plan the rest of your Vegas trip.

Ready to Try? Set Your First Mistake Fare Alert Now

Mistake fares don’t last. They rarely announce themselves. With the right alerts and a quick finger, you can cut hundreds off your next Las Vegas trip.

Set up your first price alert today. Join a deal service (or two), turn on app notifications, and be ready to jump. Five minutes now could score you a Vegas adventure you never thought possible—without the usual Vegas price tag.

Pack your bags… Vegas on a budget just became real.