Flights can eat up a sizable portion of your vacation budget, so it makes sense that travelers are always looking to save money on airfare. Enter: mistake fares. They’re tricky (but not impossible) to find, and they could save you hundreds of dollars on airfare — like flying from Chicago to Dublin for $135 round-trip. (Yep, you read that right.) Here’s a look at why mistake fares happen and where to find them, along with tips and advice from travel experts on what you need to know before booking one.

What Are Mistake Fares?

Mistake fares, also known as error fares, crop up when an airline (or third-party agency) unintentionally publishes a fare for a significantly cheaper price than is normal for the route, even compared to promotions and seasonal deals. Mistake fares may be offered as return or one-way tickets, and they usually have restricted availability as far as dates are concerned. However, if you’re lucky enough to find a great fit for your trip plans, these types of fares can save you a lot of money. 

Why Do Mistake Fares Happen?

Airlines use dynamic pricing, offering lower fares to fill seats or raising ticket prices when demand is strong. Pricing changes often, and sometimes, there’s a glitch in the process. Airline employees may make a mistake when entering data, or taxes and fees may be omitted from the advertised fare. Other times, currency conversions can go wrong — right number, wrong currency — meaning a fare is significantly lower than normal. Additionally, you might find that a certain class of fare is available more cheaply than it should be: a business-class ticket for the price of a seat in economy, for instance. 

Where Can You Find Out About Mistake Fares?

Mistake fares will be visible on airline or online travel agency websites, but you’d need to be extremely lucky to happen upon one by chance. Though in some cases a mistake fare will be obvious, it can help to know what the fare would usually be (using a tool such as Google Flights), so that you know you’ve stumbled upon a great deal. 

Dedicated frequent flyer forums (like Flyertalk) are a good place to find and share information, but it’s generally easier to let someone else do the detective work for you. The good news is that there are many such platforms, including Jack’s Flight Club, Secret Flying, Going, and Thrifty Traveler. While some of their content is available free of charge, subscribers typically get the first look at the best deals, so it can be beneficial to sign up for a subscription if you travel frequently. 

For example, Thrifty Traveler Premium costs $99 per year, while Going’s Premium package will set you back $49 annually. In 2024, Thrifty Traveler sent out the alert about the aforementioned $135 fare to Dublin, while in 2025 Going sent out a variety of mistake fare alerts, including New York to Singapore for $171 one-way and Dallas, Miami, or Philadelphia to Europe starting at $868 for a return trip in business class.

You can also choose to receive personalized alerts by text, email or WhatsApp. Such real-time notifications are helpful, as once mistake fares are identified by an airline, they’re usually promptly removed. Alerts are often short-lived, sometimes available for a few hours or even minutes before the error is spotted and the deal expires. Moral of the story: You’ll need to act decisively if you want to benefit from mistake fares.

What’s the Catch?

According to travel experts, overall, mistake fares are still quite rare. They may appear once every few weeks, and like we said, they tend to disappear quickly. The biggest catch is that mistake fares aren’t always honored by the airline. Not all tickets are canceled, though — some airlines believe that taking the financial hit for what amounts to a relatively small loss in potential revenue is worth it to avoid the negative PR. Fare experts claim that anywhere from 70% to about 90% of mistake fares are honored.

What Else To Know Before Committing

One of the top tips from the experts at the fare deal sites is to book directly with the airline and to use your credit card for the purchase protection it offers. It’s also prudent not to make nonrefundable arrangements for other aspects of your trip, such as hotels, until you’re absolutely sure your booking won’t be canceled by the airline.  

It pays to be flexible, too, not only with dates but also routes. For instance, if it’s an amazing deal, you might choose to book a separate positioning flight beyond your local area to get you to a different airport where the mistake fare originates. However, if your mistake fare is canceled, you won’t be able to get your money back for that leg, so you’d need to keep your options open and preferably book a flexible ticket.

Of course, all this might be too much of a gamble for some travelers, but if you’re lucky enough to find a mistake fare — and it’s honored — odds are you’ll be the happiest passenger on the plane.

Featured image credit: Credit: © R Photography/stock.adobe.com

Whether you fly Delta or United, commercial or private, the majority of planes you’ve flown have one thing in common: the color. Most planes are painted white, and there are a number of good reasons for it — none of which has anything to do with aesthetics. Many planes are green or beige when they come off the assembly line, but not for long. They’re all painted before taking to the sky. Here’s why one color makes up the majority of those paint jobs.

(Don’t) Let the Sunshine In

If you’ve ever worn black on a hot summer day, you probably know the primary reason most planes are painted white: It absorbs less heat and reflects more sunlight than any other color. In addition to reducing the amount of energy needed to keep the cabin cool, this also prevents damage from solar radiation. The composite materials used in many modern aircraft are more susceptible to UV rays at altitude, so white helps reflect the sun’s rays.

Birds

Perhaps because the sky is their domain and not ours, birds have an unfortunate habit of colliding with planes. White paint helps reduce the risk of such midair collisions, 17,228 of which occurred in 2019 alone (though only about 3% of bird strikes cause damage to the aircraft or, even more rarely, fatal accidents). White contrasts with the sky and ground better than darker colors would, allowing our feathered friends to identify planes from farther away and keep their distance.

Damage Control

If you have trouble keeping your favorite pair of white shoes clean, you’ll understand why this is actually a good thing when it comes to planes. Damage — whether from birds, structural issues, oil spills, or anything else — is easiest to spot on a white surface and therefore easier to repair, which helps keep maintenance costs low.

Resistance to Fading

Painting a plane is expensive — typically between $175,000 and $200,000 per commercial aircraft. It’s also a time-consuming process required to reduce potential corrosion and keep planes looking fresh. White paint doesn’t fade as quickly as other colors because it reflects UV rays at high altitudes, meaning aircraft keep their luster longer. They don’t have to be repainted as often, which in turn helps reduce labor costs and aircraft downtime, so they can stay in the skies making money.

The Bottom Line

Lastly, white is generally the cheapest paint color, which is especially important when it comes to aircraft — commercial jets have massive surface areas, with Boeing 737s requiring 240 liters of paint and Airbus A380s (the world’s largest commercial aircraft) needing 3,600 liters. At that scale, even a minor difference in price adds up. White is also lighter than other colors, which helps save on fuel. Paint alone can add from 600 to 1,200 pounds of weight to an aircraft, which is the equivalent of several more passengers (none of whom bought a ticket).

Are you a carry-on-only traveler or do you like to check a bag when you fly? Either way, you’ll need to pay special attention to certain items in your suitcase. You may be surprised to learn that some common items are restricted in carry-on bags because they could be deemed hazardous or run afoul of TSA rules. We’ve compiled a list of six items that can’t come on board with you, so you can speed through security like a pro. 

Spreadable Pastes and Gels Greater Than 3.4 Ounces

Most travelers are well aware of the fact that, since 2006, taking large quantities of liquids in carry-on luggage is banned. Though some airports worldwide now have upgraded scanners that can accommodate liquids in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces, most flyers (especially in the U.S.) will be limited to smaller sizes. 

And liquids, in this case, aren’t just things you can pour. For airport security purposes, a liquid is classified as anything that can be spread, and that includes pastes and gels. So, don’t think about packing large amounts of maple syrup, peanut butter, jelly, or soft cheese in your carry-on unless you want to have these items confiscated. 

Tent Pegs

Campers, take note: If you’re planning on packing tent pegs (aka tent spikes) for your trip, make sure they’re not in your carry-on. The TSA classifies tent pegs as a sharp item, similar to razor blades, knives, and large scissors. As such, they must be transported in checked luggage (and be effectively sheathed to prevent accidental injury during inspections). 

Technically, the tent itself is permitted as or in carry-on luggage, though you’ll need to check if it meets the airline’s permitted bag dimensions. A camping stove is also acceptable as a carry-on, so long as you’ve emptied out the fuel and cleaned it thoroughly.  

Certain Sporting Equipment

The TSA differentiates between various types of sporting equipment, stating that anything that can be “used as a bludgeon” is not permitted in carry-on luggage. In other words, items such as baseball bats and golf clubs have to be transported in checked luggage. Similarly, poles used for skiing are deemed to be a hazard and cannot be brought into the cabin. 

Whether you can pack hiking poles in your carry-on is less clear-cut. It depends on whether they have blunt or sharp tips (and it’s wise to ask the airline, as policies vary). Canes, however, are classed as a mobility aid and are therefore permitted in the aircraft cabin. 

Firearms and Ammunition

As you’d probably expect, firearms and ammunition are not permitted in the aircraft cabin and have to go in a traveler’s checked luggage. (This applies to replicas, too.) There are also strict conditions concerning the carriage of firearms to ensure everyone’s safety. Most crucially, the firearm cannot be loaded and must be locked in a hard-sided case. Small amounts of ammunition can be packed in checked luggage in a container designed specifically for that purpose, such as a fiber, wood, or metal box. Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on bags. 

However, the FAA cautions that travelers should always contact their airline to provide details of what they wish to transport. Additionally, be diligent about checking local, state, and international regulations, as these can differ considerably.

Self-Defense Items Like Pepper Spray

The FAA classifies products that can be sprayed to aid self-defense as hazardous materials, but the agency makes an exception for smaller items when it comes to checked luggage. While none of it can come into the cabin with you, you can pack mace and pepper spray in your checked bag as long as it doesn’t exceed 4 ounces. 

However, many other hazardous materials, such as paints and lighter fluid, can’t be packed in carry-on or checked luggage. The TSA says the same goes for bear spray, so if you were planning to carry some for a wilderness hike, you’ll have to rent or purchase it at your destination.

British Christmas Crackers

Sometimes when we travel, it can be fun to adopt another country’s traditions as a souvenir of your trip. If you’re visiting the U.K. during the holidays, you might be enamored with the idea of exchanging Christmas crackers at a festive meal. 

However, these gift-filled treats have a small amount of gunpowder inside, which is what causes the “snap” sound when the tube is pulled. If you try to bring them back to the U.S., either in carry-on or checked bags, officials will confiscate them. Most airlines ban them anyway; British Airways is a notable exception. Instead, try a different Christmas tradition, like exchanging books as Icelanders do during the annual Jólabókaflóð on December 24.  

Take a closer look at your hotel bill the next time you settle up at checkout. You’ll see that the room rate is just one of a number of charges properties levy on travelers. Just as airlines itemize what you pay, so too do accommodation providers. You may see a resort fee on your bill, which covers amenities during your stay, in addition to taxes. These hotel taxes cover multiple initiatives, with the revenue split between a variety of projects and goals. Let’s take a closer look at some of these taxes and find out what they’re used for.

Room Taxes

A variety of names are used to describe taxes on short-term accommodations, among them hotel tax, room tax, occupancy tax, lodging tax, and bed tax. The amount charged varies considerably. Across the U.S., for instance, states are free to set the rate, and local governments can levy additional taxes. 

Whatever you call it, the tax element of your total bill — whether municipal, regional, state taxes, or a combination of these — constitutes a mandatory charge and can be significant. The funds raised cover a range of projects, which can include marketing the destination to domestic or overseas visitors, upgrading tourist infrastructure such as parks and landmarks, investing in transit links, and funding municipal projects that might be under additional pressure with increased visitation to a destination, such as sanitation.

Environmental Taxes

In some cases, the state-levied room tax is augmented by an environmental tax. Hawaii’s transient accommodation tax (TAT) is one example. On January 1, 2026, the TAT — applicable not only to hotels but also to other forms of overnight accommodation such as camper vans and vacation rentals — rose from 10.25% to 11%, with the 0.75% increase coming in the form of a new “green fee.” Other destinations that charge environmental taxes include Greece (climate crisis resilience fee), the Maldives (green tax), and Quintana Roo (environmental sanitation fee) in Mexico, home to popular resort cities such as Cancun.

In the case of Hawaii, at least, reception has been mixed. Supporters claim it’s an essential tool in the fight against climate change, especially in light of high-profile recent tragedies such as the Maui wildfires. They argue the money raised can also be spent on projects like replenishing sand on eroded beaches and the rehabilitation of degraded coral reefs. However, opponents dub it a cash grab, pointing out inconsistencies such as the current exemption for cruise ship cabins and a lack of regulation around vehicle emissions. 

Hotel Taxes in Popular Cities

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, and ahead of that important milestone, the city is looking at raising its transient occupancy tax, which currently sits at 14% for stays up to 30 days. (Other cities in L.A. County set their own rates; in Malibu, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills, it’s 15%.) 

L.A. city authorities plan to raise the lodging tax to 16%, estimating that the additional revenue could amount to $44 million per year — which could help pay for necessary improvements before the Games. Reports suggest that the rate would then be lowered to 15% beginning in 2029, though any changes have yet to be approved. On top of the TOT, visitors must pay an additional amount (typically 1.5% of the room rate) that supports the work of the Los Angeles Tourism Marketing District (LATMD), which promotes the city to tourists and boosts the reach of hotels’ own advertising. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hotel guests in the Big Easy pay an extra 3% on top of their regular room occupancy tax, which helps fund the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. The authority manages one of the largest convention centers in the U.S. and the events it hosts. In 2023, these trade shows, conventions, festivals, and competitions were responsible for bringing in more than half a million people and half a billion dollars to the local economy. 

Such an influx of visitors has knock-on effects for the local economy, in terms of both opportunities for shops, restaurants, and visitor attractions, as well as pressure on infrastructure and services. Similarly, stay in Orleans or Jefferson Parish, and you’ll pay a 4% Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) room occupancy tax, some of which goes toward the cost of maintaining facilities like the Caesars Superdome. 

Venice, Italy

Venice uses revenue from tourism to help maintain the aging landmarks and buildings that are so attractive to visitors. The rate varies according to the type of accommodation you select and is applicable only to the first five nights of any stay. In some cases, overnighting further from the historic core lowers the rate, as does traveling in the January low season. 

According to the city’s official website, the rationale behind the tax is that a chunk of the money will help “finance maintenance work and aid the fruition and recovery of cultural and architectural heritage.” Day visitors have to pay, too — there’s now a separate access fee levied on them from which overnight guests are exempt.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Like Venice, Amsterdam is facing growing concerns with overtourism, and also charges an overnight tax on anyone staying in the city. The amount you pay depends on the cost of your accommodation (a 12.5% charge on top of the basic room rate). It doesn’t matter what kind of place you’ve chosen, either — the tax is applicable whether you’ve splurged for a five-star hotel or opted for a dorm bed in a hostel. 

Many establishments don’t include it in the advertised rate because anyone who can prove they’re a local resident is exempt from paying. Everyone else pays upon check-in. And Amsterdam’s not the only Dutch city to charge tourists, though elsewhere you’ll be charged less. In trendy Rotterdam, for instance, you’ll pay just 6.5%.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s first-ever hotel tax kicks off in July 2026, when visitors to Edinburgh will need to pay a 5% charge for the first five nights of their stay. The money raised — estimated at 50 million pounds ($68 million) — will be invested in making the city better for tourists and residents alike. 

Some recipients of these additional funds have already been earmarked. Public restrooms in the city will get an upgrade, there will be a facelift for Cramond Beach, and Leith Theatre will be refurbished into a live music and performance venue. A sizable chunk of money has also been set aside to provide affordable homes to address the city’s housing shortfall.

Lately, they’re everywhere — the people in coffee shops, subways, doctors’ offices, and yes, in airports, who broadcast whatever’s playing on their phone for anyone around them to hear. In a recent survey, travelers identified this growing trend of people who conduct calls, watch videos, or listen to music in public without headphones as one of the most annoying behaviors in the sky. For anyone who considers this a major pet peeve, we have good news: One airline recently took steps to crack down on this behavior. 

United Threatens To Ban Passengers Who Don’t Use Headphones

Whenever you purchase an airline ticket, you agree to the terms of the airline’s contract of carriage — a legal contract between the carrier and you, the passenger. You can find this on the airline’s website, but since most of these contracts go on for dozens of pages, you’ve probably never read one through. Typically, they cover areas such as the airline’s financial obligations in the event of delays, cancellations, or lost baggage; ticketing rules and any applicable surcharges; and check-in, baggage, and boarding requirements. 

A contract of carriage also defines situations in which an airline can deny boarding or refuse to transport a passenger. Usually, these scenarios are obvious or commonsense — for instance, if a passenger causes a disturbance, interferes with crew member instructions, or is visibly intoxicated. 

But other rules are more surprising or obscure. In February 2026, United Airlines added a new provision to the “Refusal of Transport” section of the airline’s contract of carriage, aimed specifically at “passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.” The provision states that United has “the right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove from the aircraft at any point” anyone in violation of this rule. 

In other words, those who don’t comply could be kicked off of their United flight or even banned from traveling with the airline in the future. While other airlines have yet to formalize similar rules around headphone usage, many — such as Delta — instruct passengers to use headphones when using the in-flight entertainment or any personal electronic devices. 

American Takes Aim at “Gate Lice”

While being subjected to someone else’s speakerphone is certainly frustrating, it’s far from the only stressful part of flying. Another part of the process that often irritates travelers is boarding. While even scientists haven’t been able to fully explain why it always seems to take forever, the policy of major airlines charging for checked bags is likely a factor in slowing things down considerably. Baggage fees lead to more and more passengers trying to carry on their luggage and jockeying for limited overhead bin space on the aircraft.

Thus, you’ll often find passengers crowding around the gate well before boarding begins, anxious to be among the first to board and find room to stow their bags. Some may even try to slip by the gate agent before their group is called. There’s a term for this: gate lice.  

In late 2024, American Airlines implemented a new automated boarding system that produces an audible “beep” alerting gate staff when someone attempts to board before their group is called. The goal of the new system is to deter such travelers from attempting to cut the line, hopefully reducing the overall crowding in the gate area during the boarding process.

Other Problematic Passenger Behaviors 

These days, it might seem like anything goes when it comes to plane outfits, but did you know that airlines also have dress codes as part of their contracts of carriage? Airline dress codes tend to be vague, but most carriers can refuse transport to any passenger traveling barefoot, wearing revealing clothing (such as swimsuit attire), or displaying offensive slogans. The same goes for passengers emitting body odor, strong perfume, or other unpleasant scents. Delta Air Lines, for example, states that a passenger can be refused “when the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.” 

Traveling while sick is another no-no. United Airlines can deny boarding if a passenger appears unable to complete the flight without medical assistance, poses a health or safety risk to others, or fails to complete a required medical certificate at least 48 hours before departure. 

There are also some behaviors that airlines don’t specifically mention in their contracts of carriage but nonetheless fall into an etiquette gray area. Passengers have strong opinions, for example, on the right to recline your seat or who gets to control the window shade. When in doubt, try to be polite and communicate with your fellow passengers to avoid an unnecessary confrontation — if one happens, airlines can indeed kick you off the plane. 

With the growing popularity of basic-economy tickets that don’t allow you to choose your seats for free, passengers are increasingly being asked to swap seats, too. Airlines don’t outline their policies in such situations — at least not yet — but travel experts have a few guidelines. In general, if you’re asking to swap, offer an equal seat or better (don’t ask someone in an aisle seat to swap with your middle seat near the back of the plane) and be prepared to accept “no” for an answer. Like with any of these situations, a little consideration goes a long way on a plane.