10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Flights
Flying is never easy. Take it from someone who has been on and off aeroplanes most of their adult life. From lengthy booking processes and spending hours in long queues to flying on cramped seats – I’ve experienced it all, time and time again.
In this post, I’m sharing some hard-won insights to help make your holidays easier.
Here are the common mistakes to avoid when booking flights for a stress-free getaway experience!
1. Booking too late
There are plenty of reasons you shouldn’t wait before booking a flight.
Aside from the fact that you’ll have fewer flight options, airfare is demand-driven, so you’ll easily find yourself paying more if you wait too long. Especially if your destination is quite in demand.
Booking late doesn’t automatically mean getting a costly last-minute deal, though. The airlines’ dynamic pricing models also mean that some destinations remain cheap all year round.
Still, carriers are more likely to increase their prices the closer your reservation is to the departure flight.
That’s why it’s often safer to book earlier and take a bargain whenever you spot one!
2. Not comparing prices
It’s always a good idea to compare prices when shopping for plane tickets – I personally use Skyscanner but Google Flights is also a agreat tool.
While the prices often vary on demand or time of booking, scouring both airline and comparison websites may get you the most suitable deal for your budget.
Make sure you compare hidden fees and additional charges as well.
Some tickets can appear to have a lower base fare, but they typically throw in extras for baggage, amenities, or seat selection.
3. Not using a private browser when searching
Like many businesses, airlines tailor their pricing based on customer preferences and behaviour. This allows them to optimise their revenue while enhancing customer experience.
However, it doesn’t always lean in your favour, because they can increase flight prices the more you search.
Using a private or incognito browser can help to avoid this hitch.
4. Skipping the fine print on baggage policies
If you’re one to load up as much as you can when travelling, never skip the fine print on baggage policies. Especially now that checking a bag in airlines has gotten pricier.
While it sounds tedious, reading the fine print before the flight can save you money from additional charges.
Don’t assume that the weight allowance is the same as the last time you flew – it varies by airline and policies can change over time.
5. Overlooking layover times
Neglecting layover time is the worst mistake you can make without a direct flight option to your destination.
To reduce stressful woes between connecting flights, it’s best to buffer for delays and pick 90 minutes or longer layover times.
A 30 to 40-minute layover time usually works for domestic flights. However, I’d say anything less than an hour is quite risky for a tight schedule.
6. Forgetting to check visa requirements
Visa requirements typically vary by destination. The problem is that a country’s visa policies can change at a moment’s notice, so it’s important to double-check and check again before boarding.
The best way to ensure you meet the latest passport, visa, and travel requirements for a specific country is by checking its official government website.
I’d recommend doing this at least a few weeks, sometimes months, before boarding to avoid immigration issues.
7. Ignoring alternate airports
Don’t ignore alternate airports when shopping for plane tickets! It’s easier to find better deals to save a few pounds if you’re flexible in your airports and travel dates.
I like checking itineraries to and from other airports. Selecting alternative departures and arrival locations often provides more flight options and affordable prices than large airport hubs.
For instance, flying from London through Luton may be cheaper than Heathrow. However, do consider the cost and time of getting to and from an alternative airport to ensure it makes sense.
8. Skipping travel insurance
Always fly with travel insurance. There are a lot of things that can go wrong beyond your control, and having insurance is a nice way to have some peace of mind.
Most importantly, flight insurance offers trip cancellation, delay, interruption, baggage loss, and medical emergency coverage, among other situations that can save you from unnecessary expenses before or after a trip.
9. Missing Frequent Flyer miles opportunities
Signing up for airline loyalty programmes is always a great investment whether you’re a frequent traveller or a stay-at-home type who only flies occasionally.
Miles add up faster than you think and you can use them to redeem fantastic perks and save some money in the future!
10. Assuming one-way flights are always cheaper
Surprisingly, one-way flights aren’t always cheaper. Besides convenience, return flights can save you money, too.
Your destination and whether you’re paying cash or using mile points can be a deciding factor here.
Flying domestically with two one-way tickets typically costs more or less the same as one return ticket.
But that’s not always the case for international flights, with some carriers offering cheaper deals for round-trip arrangements.
Do you have any tips for booking flights? Let me know your own trick and tips in the comments!
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