Games of Chance: Error Fares

We can’t win every time, but we sure can still play the game. Did you win the Mega Millions or Powerball? Sadly, I didn’t either. Games of chance like those are similar to error fares in travel.

The sudden happiness that came over me earlier in the week is now slowly fading away. A dream of one day visiting a continent full of wildlife and natural wonders could sadly be put on hold.

Nairobi Error Fare

Earlier in the week, there was an error fare to Nairobi, Kenya from New York starting at $242 round trip. After doing some quick searches about Kenya, weather, wildlife migrations, etc., I booked a ticket for 12 days in September. Those dates later in the year were $30 higher, so my fare was $272. Still, a pretty fantastic price to go to Africa non-stop from the US! Hello, safari!!!

New Routes Presented

Kenya Airways just started their inaugural flights this week between Nairobi and JFK. It should be a boost for tourism in both Kenya and New York. It is also going to be a timesaver allowing people to get to East Africa and vice versa without having to transit via Europe. Instead of two long flights taking nearly 24+ hours, passengers can now fly 14 hours non stop on the comfortable 787-8 Dreamliner. Sure, it is still a very long flight, but a manageable one. Here is a trip report from Ben (aka Lucky) at One Mile at a Time with video and pictures.

Things To Do In Kenya

When planning and researching, you will see there are so many cool things to do. Different areas of the country each with their unique charms and wonders. You could take a safari in the Masai Mara, wander the coast near Mombasa, visit elephant and giraffe sanctuaries, watch the great migration and have a chance to see the “big 5”.

The Waiting Game

I am waiting for the email letting me know that this dream will have to wait. According to some posts that I have seen on Twitter emails have started being sent out today by Delta not honoring the fare. I will get there eventually! You can bet on that, just not at this moment. “Oh, the places you’ll go!” Yeah, I know, I’m still working on it.

Africa has a way of playing hard to get, and now I see that this is true in so many ways. How will I ever get that Toto song out of my head? “I bless the rains down in Africa,” there, now we can sing it together. You’re welcome!

Games Of Chance

Error fares don’t always play out the way we envision. Sometimes though, we do strike gold. I have enjoyed a few, like my trip to Hawaii from Las Vegas for $65, a quick journey around the globe (Milan, Rome, Prague, Tokyo) for $272, and another from San Diego to Miami for $85. I would suggest giving a look to the hard-working people over at The Flight Deal and Secret Flying for some good deals and sometimes error fares if you are interested.

Another roll of the dice, one more spin of the wheel, waiting for lightning to strike, we still keep playing. Those moments and sheer excitement sure are hard to match. The rush is addicting but then so too is the reward.

This time it looks as if it is not meant to be. Perhaps I will shift my focus to Europe in the fall and a trip to Munich for Oktoberfest. 😁 I can enjoy more games of chance such as which beer tent will I get in.

UPDATE – I just received my unfriendly email confirming no deal on this go around.

I will keep on looking and hopefully snag a sweet deal again soon. Where are you off to next?

Protect Yourself with Travel Insurance

While Africa is generally safe, I love the peace of mind travel insurance gives me in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, trip cancellation, or disruption. For a few dollars a day and with coverage for many types of adventure activities, I’m all in.

Get Ready to Book Your Trip: Helpful Links and Resources

Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find and research your airfare needs and to find the best flight deals. It searches worldwide on multiple airlines to help you find the best options.

Book Your Stay
Booking.com is my go-to for finding a place to stay anywhere globally. An outstanding company that I trust and have used for many years. Find accommodation from budget to luxury in cities and countries around the world. If you happen to be backpacking and staying in hostels, I recommend Hostelworld to help you find a place to stay.

Get Travel Insurance
Travel is unpredictable. Anything could happen. A trip interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen items, or personal injury, having comprehensive trip insurance will protect you if anything goes wrong. SafetyWing is a solid choice for most travelers.

Tours, Activities, and Things to Do
Viator (a TripAdvisor company) offers many excellent options to keep you busy wherever you may be, from walking and food tours to sunset cruises and more. Make sure to give them a look and add some fun-filled activities to your itinerary.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend companies and products that I use myself and believe in.