Avoid These Common Travel Mistakes
Even the most seasoned tourists can make travel mistakes when planning a vacation. Some blunders can be minor infractions, but others can cost travelers a lot of money and heartache. However, there are steps you can take to avoid these common travel pitfalls. Here are six slip-ups that travelers may make this year, along with tips on how to avoid them.
1. Overlooking Travel Medical Insurance
Many people don’t consider purchasing travel medical insurance. They often think that nothing bad will happen before or during their vacation, but injuries can occur overseas, leading to unexpected hospital bills. According to a 2023 survey, nearly one in four Americans report they’ve experienced a medical issue while traveling abroad.
How to avoid: One solution is to purchase a travel medical insurance policy. This type of insurance provides coverage for a range of medical emergencies while traveling abroad, from minor injuries to major events like heart attacks or strokes. The average travel medical insurance plan costs around $89.
2. Getting Hit with Unnecessary Luggage Fees
Travelers should be aware that numerous airlines have recently raised their prices for checked bags. Moreover, some airlines charge more when customers check their bags at the airport compared to online. For example, passengers can save money by adding checked bags to their reservation at least 24 hours before departure.
How to avoid: Always pay ahead for any bags you plan to check.
3. Incurring Hidden Hotel Fees
Hotels often charge guests for Wi-Fi, early check-in, and use of gym facilities—resulting in unexpected extra fees. A significant percentage of U.S. adults have experienced hidden hotel fees in the past two years.
How to avoid: Many hotels offer to reduce or waive certain fees for guests who join their loyalty program. Additionally, simply asking at check-in could sometimes lead to fee waivers.
4. Not Utilizing a Key Search Feature on Airbnb
Similar to hotels, Airbnb rental property owners frequently include additional fees, such as cleaning fees or fees for extra guests. These costs can quickly add up.
How to avoid: Airbnb introduced a feature that allows guests to view total costs before taxes when searching for rental properties. To enable this feature, simply adjust the settings on the search page.
5. Paying Full Price for a Rental Car
The good news is that rental vehicle shortages have improved, but renting a car can still be quite costly. Moreover, rates have stabilized but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
How to avoid: Consider exploring discounts from big-box stores or membership organizations. Moreover, prepaying when booking can sometimes result in lower rates.
6. Encountering Sky-High Hotel Rates Because of Major Events
Events like concerts can lead to a tremendous increase in hotel prices due to surging demand. For instance, during a Taylor Swift concert tour, hotel prices can spike dramatically.
How to avoid: The simplest strategy is to avoid traveling to a destination during major event dates to ensure access to reasonably priced accommodations.
