Stop Wasting Money: 10 Travel Booking Mistakes Everyone Makes & 10 Smarter Tips to Follow
Stop Wasting Money: 10 Travel Booking Mistakes Everyone Makes & 10 Smarter Tips to Follow
How to Travel Smarter
Booking your vacation should be fun and exciting, not frustrating and stressful. If you're still booking with third-party websites, waiting last-minute to plan your trip, or skipping travel insurance, you might be making graver mistakes than you realize. So, how should you better plan? Here are 10 travel booking mistakes you don't want to make—and 10 smarter tips to start following to save money.
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1. Booking Too Early
Technically, it's often better to book early than later, as you'll often see a markup in flights closer to the departure date. However, sometimes the opposite is true, and if you book much too far in advance, you'll end up missing discounts, deals, or perks that airlines (or third-party sites) occasionally offer.
2. Booking Too Late
And yet, it's probably still better to book early than to book late most of the time, as prices usually inflate as the departure date looms closer. If you know you'll definitely be traveling on a specific date or month, it's better to plan ahead than to be potentially stuck with high prices—and bad routes and seats—later on.
3. Not Taking Layovers Into Account
When you're doing your flight searches, make sure you use the filters. Otherwise, you might come across a good deal, book it without looking too much into it, only to realize that you're now stuck with an extremely tight (or long) layover that might make or break your trip.
4. Booking with a Third Party
You've probably heard that it's always better to book directly with the airline than through a third-party website. Why? Because if any complications arise or you need to make any last-minute changes, it'll be easier to deal with the airline than to talk through a screen.
5. Not Comparing Multiple Sites Before Booking
Cost-wise, booking with a third-party usually doesn't differ that much from purchasing from the airline directly. And while it's still best to book directly with whichever airline you prefer to fly with, it doesn't hurt to compare the prices on multiple sites before you commit. Google Flights is a great tool for this.
6. Skipping Insurance
You might think you won't need insurance for a short trip, but think again. Problems can happen when you least expect them, whether it be a minor accident that requires a hospital visit, a lost bag, or a sudden cancellation. It's always best to be prepared for any outcome.
7. Forgetting to Check Visa or Entry Requirements
Always remember to check entry requirements before and after booking your flights. You don't want to end up rushing through an important application the day before your departure, or worse, not being permitted entry into a country because you forgot to apply for a visa. That's why it's also recommended to plan trips in advance.
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8. Not Checking for Hidden Fees
For international flights, you might assume that the airline you're flying with allows each passenger at least one checked bag. But not so fast—some airlines, especially budget ones, may require an additional fee, so it's crucial to scan for any hidden fees before booking.
9. Ignoring Fine Print & Cancellation Policies
It's not just the hidden fees you'll have to watch out for. Some airlines have stricter (and pricier) cancellation policies than others, so make sure to always read the fine print before booking. Generally, most airlines have a 24-hour grace period where passengers can cancel or change their booking, but again, don't just assume every airline offers this.
10. Not Researching Airport Location
If the destination you're flying into has two major airports, it's best to do some research beforehand to see which one is better to land in. You might immediately pick the cheaper flight, but if you choose an airport that's farther from your accommodation, you might end up paying the same amount (or more) to cover ground transportation.
So, what can you do to ensure you don't make these mistakes the next time you book? Here are 10 smarter tips to follow that will save you money.
1. Don't Book on the Weekends
If you can, avoid booking your flights to fly out on weekends, especially on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays, when tickets are generally more expensive. It's best to fly Tuesday or midweek instead to bypass the weekend rush, even if those dates might not be the most convenient.
2. Compare Prices
As mentioned earlier, always remember to compare prices between sites before you book by using tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights. While it's recommended to book directly with the airline, you may sometimes come across deals that many airlines don't offer. However, before booking, check the fine print so you're not met with nasty surprises later on.
3. Consider Bundling
Sometimes, you might unlock discounts on transportation or accommodation after booking with an airline or through third-party websites, so make sure to check if bundling is right for you. If you're in a membership or rewards program, you may even receive additional deals or perks.
4. Plan Ahead
Another tip that's worth repeating? Plan ahead. While it's sometimes better to book closer to your departure date for last-minute deals, it's often much safer to lock in your flights early. That way, should you need to select seats or plan other routes, you'll have more time to work out the kinks.
5. Set Price Alerts
Remember how we said to compare prices before you book? Well, if you're not set on booking right away, you can also use these sites—think Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights—to set alerts. That way, you'll be reminded to book whenever the flight you want drops in price.
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6. Compare Airbnb & Hotel Costs
Staying for two weeks or more? You may want to consider getting a vacation rental, such as an Airbnb, as opposed to booking a hotel room. You'll be able to live much more like a local, and longer stays often get discounts. Plus, if you need to do laundry, it's better to get an Airbnb that includes a washer and dryer in the unit.
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7. Use Incognito Mode
Dynamic pricing is very real, and many sites will hike up their prices if they detect that you're interested. To avoid this, clear your cookies and make sure to always browse in incognito mode. That way, these sites can't track your activity, and you won't pay an inflated price.
8. Join a Reward Program
If you aren't already part of a program, make sure to join one. Whether it's a rewards program on a third-party website, a membership through an airline, or one through your credit card, joining one will allow you extra perks (think free upgrades and airport lounges) you won't get otherwise.
9. Do Your Research
Always, always remember to do your research before you book. That means checking which airline and route is the cheapest, any layovers you might need to take, or policies you'll need to keep in mind. It's also smart to know what's around the airport you're flying into and the most convenient way to get in and out of there.
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10. Be Flexible
Our last tip? Remember to be flexible. If you're set on a specific date, then it's best to book as soon as you've got your vacation sorted out so that you can book your flights and plan your itinerary. But if you don't have a specific date in mind, keep an eye out for cheaper prices, alternative routes and airports, and budget airlines.
