Are You Making These Costly Mistakes When Booking Flights?

Simple, seemingly minor mistakes can sometimes cost travelers a lot of money when booking international airline tickets. And the worst part is many people make these errors without realizing it.

From forgetting about travel insurance to misspelling your name, there are plenty of pitfalls that can bring unwanted costs. However, with some careful planning and attention to details, you can avoid many of these problems. Take a look at the list below to determine if you’re making costly mistakes when booking flights.

Spelling your name wrong

One of the biggest and silliest mistakes many travelers make is rushing through the booking process. Many will spell a last name wrong or use their nickname without thinking. This can cause major delays and may even force you to miss the flight altogether - without refund or assistance.

For example, one airline passenger had to pay more than $760 for a new return flight to Detroit after leaving the letter ‘e’ out of his name while booking online, according to an article in the UK-based Metro. Some airlines charge passengers more than $100 to change the name on their tickets.  

The Transportation Security Administration enforces these rules to protect travelers against fraud and to prevent people on the no-fly list from booking flights under false names. If traveling internationally, this is especially important - not only could you miss a flight, but you could be delayed in a country for days, adding unexpected accommodation and food expenses to the mix.

Forgetting about travel insurance 

Because many people’s travel itineraries are subject to change, it can be worth a little more in cost up front to ensure the flexibility of a future flight. This is where travel insurance can be well worth the investment.

For instance, a policy through Travel Guard offers coverage per trip for everything from delays and unforeseen illness to stolen tickets and missed connections. There’s a plan for almost any situation. Look into coverage that applies specifically to a scenario that could arise internationally, such as needing assistance with emergency cash transfers or requiring LiveTravel Emergency Assistance to help with rebookings.

Not watching out for hidden fees

It’s better to know what you are getting into when it comes to unexpected flight fees. For instance, if a flight time is missed, there might be no other option than to book a brand new ticket at the gate, losing hundreds of dollars in the process. These change fees can add up, especially if flying with a group.

For example, when you book with a credit card, you might be coughing up additional dollars just for an electronic payment surcharge. Both Air France and British Airways charge these fees. Seats are also getting more and more specific, so passengers may be asked to add on more fees for legroom, preferred boarding or even seat selection.

Airlines taxes, like security tax and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Fee, are another factor – but these cannot be avoided, so simply be aware that they will increase your final ticket cost.

Get familiar with airline policies and plan accordingly. JetBlue offers the first bag checked-in for free, but Virgin America has some great meal options for purchase, perfect for cranky kids. Choose what perks are worth a few extra dollars for you and make them your top preference. This way you won’t be surprised when you need to pay for snacks on board, extra legroom or other perks you want for travel.

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