15 Errors Everyone Makes When Booking Flights

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Flights can seem simple to book, but mistakes lurking behind those clicks and keystrokes can blow up your travel plans—or your budget. You may not know this, but travelers pay more than they need to in 36% of cases because they book tickets at the wrong time. 47% of Americans said they missed better deals because they did not plan well.

If you’re ready to travel more intelligently, it’s time to avoid these common mistakes. So here are 15 mistakes travelers make when booking flights—and how you can avoid making them every single time.

Waiting Until the Last Minute to Book

Errors Everyone Makes When Booking Flights — Image Credit: New Africa/ Shutterstock

If you wait until the last minute to book, you’ll probably have to pay significantly higher rates; however, there’s an argument that this practice can work out to your advantage. But you may not get that last-minute deal you desperately want because airlines rarely drop their prices right before departure.

According to Skyscanner data, booking two or three months in advance is the cheapest. It’s best to act fast; otherwise, you’ll probably pay up to 20 percent more. If fares gradually increase, set flight alerts early and book as soon as you see them climb steadily.

Ignoring Flexible Travel Dates

Rigid dates can cost hundreds of dollars. For example, flying midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) can save you up to 25% over flying on weekends.

Solution: Use fare comparison tools such as Google Flights or Hopper, which show which days of the week are cheaper to fly.

Not Comparing Price

When booking directly from the airline’s website, booking guarantees you the exact amount of cash you’ll be paying. Still, by doing so, you may also be passing on some discounts seen in other rates that third-party sites or travel aggregators will be able to offer.

Once you’ve chosen the cheapest prices, you can decide where to buy on sites such as Kayak, Momondo, or Skyscanner.

Not Clearing Browser Cookies

Many airlines and booking platforms have dynamic pricing, which increases when you browse. If you ignore this, ticket costs could increase.

If you search for flights, you must constantly clear your cookies or use incognito mode; otherwise, they will save what you are looking for and raise prices. They will also save your location and raise prices depending on where you are.

Forgetting About Hidden Fees

Budget airlines may be cheaper, but they charge fees for seat selection, luggage, or even ticket printing. A “cheap” $50 fare could balloon to $150 once fees are factored in.

Always read the fine print and calculate the cost of your flight—including added fees—to ensure you get the best deal on your next trip.

Overpacking and Not Meeting Luggage Restrictions

Excess luggage causes you to spend more time at security points and will ultimately cost you extra money. Airlines have luggage policies and allowable limits. It is essential to carry only what you need for the trip.

Restrictions like airline baggage rules are getting tighter than ever. Having overweight luggage when you fly can cost you as much as $100 per bag. Pack and weigh your bags home and check your airline’s baggage policy.

Not Signing Up for Flight Price Alerts

Flight prices change constantly—sometimes several times in a single day. Missing these swings could cost you a lot more.

Set up alerts on your routes using Airfarewatchdog and Google Flights, or use Flight Tracker to monitor your travel partners and alert you when they set a fare.

Skipping Consideration of Layover

Booking a six-hour layover sounds harmless, but delays or missed connections could ruin your travel plans. When traveling internationally, aim for 2–3 hours of layover to avoid the stress of a very tight connection.

Ignoring Budget Airlines for Shorter Routes

Many travelers skip budget airlines because of smaller seats or lack of amenities, but they are perfect for short trips and can be up to 50% cheaper than regular carriers.

If you are traveling on short domestic routes, it’s also a good option to use budget options such as Frontier, Spirit, or Ryanair.

Choosing Airports Without Considering Proximity

While a flight from a more distant airport may be cheaper, if you consider the cost of transportation to and from that location, you might miss out on all those savings.

When choosing your departure and arrival points, evaluate overall costs, such as transit to the airport.

Assuming Refunds or Changes are Easy

If a ticket does not offer refunds, you have no flexibility if you need to cancel or change, which is a nightmare and potentially very costly.

Invest in “refundable” options if your plans are unstable or a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover cancellations.

Ignoring Red-Eye Flights

Red-eye flights are cheaper and quieter, but you’re likely to be wiped out when you step off the plane if you’ve got significant events to attend. Book red-eye flights only if you can sleep upon arrival or are okay with a mid-flight snooze.

Travel Perks You’re Missing Out on with a Credit Card

Points, free bags, or companion tickets are available on airline-branded or travel-specific credit cards. If youput these perks aside, you will miss saving a lot of money. Select credit cards to earn and redeem miles with Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture.

Not Double-Checking Country Visa Requirements

What if you booked a flight to a dream destination and were denied entry because you didn’t have a Visa? In reality, this is a common logistical headache. Research entry and border pass visa requirements for layovers and final destinations before booking your flight.

Overlooking Time Zone

Not considering the time zone differences when booking arriving or departing times can result in missing flights, connections, or essential meetings. Use applications like World Time Buddy to double-check and, if necessary, adjust.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.