Booking a holiday should always be an exciting experience. But, unfortunately, many of us find it stressful. It’s difficult to know what’s the right thing to do and whether you’re falling into a tourist trap.
The good news? A lot of these pitfalls can be avoided. This article will look through some of the common mistakes made by travellers as well as tips for saving money and making the most out of your holiday!
Waiting for last-minute deals
There is a popular myth among travellers that flight prices will get very low just before the departure date. This is very rarely the case. Quite the opposite, actually, as airlines often use dynamic pricing models, meaning that the prices go up the fewer seats there are left (the classic demand and supply model).
If you ever get lucky with last-minute flights, this is probably due to the airline trying to fill a relatively empty plane. Therefore, holding out until the last minute is a gamble that could lead to even higher prices.
Now, this does not necessarily mean that you should book your flights too far in advance either. For domestic or short haul flights (up to 3 hours), it’s typically best to book around one to three months in advance.
For international travel or long haul flights, three to eight months prior. There really aren’t any special rules about the best times or days to book a flight or a hotel, so simply secure it as soon as you see a price that you’re happy with!
Going independently VS using an agency
There is a common belief that travel agencies are always more expensive than booking your holiday independently. This isn’t strictly true. Whether or not you should use an agency depends on the type of holiday you’re looking for.
For example, if you’re looking to do a budget-friendly city break in Prague, booking independently will almost always turn out more beneficial for your wallet. It is a popular destination with lots of budget airlines offering cheap flights. There are also hundreds of affordable apartments you can rent in the city, instead of overpriced tourist hotels.
So, when should you use an agency? One such example is all-inclusive holiday packages, where you simply want to soak up the sun rays by the pool. Agents will usually have access to exclusive deals for both flights and resorts, securing fares that are not available to the public.
Furthermore, niche holidays also benefit from the specialised knowledge of agencies. For instance, a walking holiday, such as Camino de Santiago, is not easy to plan, as you’ll need to book a different hotel for each night according to your daily itinerary. Companies like Orbis Ways specialise in this, handling all of the arrangements and providing a safety net if things go wrong.
Too good to be true
The internet is sadly saturated by holiday-related scams. This could be anything, from a fake website of an amazing resort that simply does not exist to an untruthful depiction of the hotel, leading to major disappointments upon arrival. But, how do you spot what’s real and what isn’t?
One of the biggest red flags is a price that seems too good to be true. It probably is. Unless there is a specific reason (i.e. it’s a developing country or a brand new hotel trying to get reviews), most companies will not go too far below the market rate. If you’re unsure, check other options in the area and see how their prices compare.
Another warning sign is a poor website design that pressures you to book immediately or, even worse, demands for payment via direct bank transfer instead of secure methods (a.k.a. Credit card). Always research the company you’re booking with by reading the reviews on trusted platforms, such as Google Reviews or Trustpilot.
The gamble of going uninsured
Perhaps the most reckless mistake a traveller can make is skipping travel insurance. Sure, we all assume that nothing bad will happen to us, but that’s not how life works. An unexpected event can derail your plans at any moment, which could lead to potentially devastating financial consequences. This could range from a sudden illness or a family emergency to a cancelled flight or a lost passport abroad.
Travel insurance is a safety blanket, protecting you in case of numerous scenarios. If your flight gets cancelled and you need a hotel, the insurance will cover that. If you end up in a hospital with an illness, your insurance will cover the costs of that too (super important in countries like the US, where medical bills are sky high!).
And, even if nothing happens, the peace of mind that comes from this security is invaluable, making the holiday much more enjoyable.
Research is key
The more informed you are about your options, the less likely you are to make costly mistakes or fall for a scam. So, before you click that “pay” button, always start by doing some research on the destination, comparing the market prices and reading reviews!
