Real Agent Cases

Search for cheap flights with ChatGPT agent (failure case)

Source date:
Last verified:
Method:
How we verify

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

FailureThe source says the agent did not get the job done.

What went wrong: Suggested a $1,400 flight; the poster found an $850 option on their own.

Outcome

ChatGPT agent suggested flights costing $1,400 when the poster found an $850 option on their own.

Agent

ChatGPT agent

Prompt Improved prompt

Improved prompt: strengthened by us to avoid the problem in the source. Not tested by the poster. It doesn't change what happened in the source.

Not sure how to start? Tell me what you're trying to get done and I'll help you turn it into a clear request.

Goal: Find the cheapest real flights for my trip and show me how you know they're the cheapest.

Quick check first: Where from and to, which dates, and how flexible are you?

What I need from you:
- From [CITY/AIRPORT] to [CITY/AIRPORT]
- Dates [DATES] and flexibility (e.g. ±2 days)
- Number of travellers and bags
- Any airlines or stops to avoid

Rules:
- Search at least two sources (for example Google Flights and Skyscanner) and include nearby airports and ±[N] days if I'm flexible.
- Compare total prices including bags for the same number of travellers.
- Before listing a fare, open it and confirm it's still available at that price.
- Tell me the cheapest option you found and how much it beats the next one by. If something looks too expensive, keep searching rather than settling.
- Don't book or pay. Hand the final choice to me with the link.

Output: A short table of the 3 cheapest options with airline, times, stops, total price, the source and a working link.

If any of this is unclear, tell me what you have and I'll help fill the gaps.

You'll know it worked when: you've seen the cheapest fare across sources, and you can open it at the price listed.
What the poster tried (recreated by us)

The source didn't publish its exact prompt; this is our reconstruction of what was asked.

Find me the cheapest flights for this trip.

Source

https://x.com/maxdrescher_/status/1958253813770674556

By Max Drescher (@maxdrescher_) · Published Aug 20, 2025 · Added Oct 15, 2026 · Last verified Oct 15, 2026

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