We’ve all been there. You are getting ready for the awesome trip and then “doh!” something went wrong. Often times its the simplest of mistakes or not understanding exactly what you purchased. Maybe its just rushing out the door that led you to leaving that one special item behind. Well, here are some of the top mistakes we have seen and how we think you can help avoid them in the future!
1. Providing the Wrong Name to the Airline
This is at the very, very top of our list for our clients and it is so very easy to do. Say you are booking a vacation and you go to input your name or provide to your Travel Advisor. Your Legal name is one thing, but you have gone by another name your entire life. Or maybe you just recently got married, but have not had time to update your Passport.
If you try and show up to the airport and your legal identification does not EXACTLY match your ticket– you could be in trouble. Often times security, customs, and the airline will overlook a missing middle initial or leaving off a suffix. But if your name is Thomas and you put Tom on your airline ticket or put down your new married name and haven’t updated you ID that can be trouble for you.
If this happens the airline can refuse to board you– or charge a change fee plus the current market price of the ticket. That can get very experience, very quickly!
2. Not Taking into Account Excursion and Activity Costs
Often time when people budget for their vacation they just think about the airfare and hotel costs– the two largest expenses before you leave home. Most will budget some expenses for eating, we know we have to do it every day! But often times people forget to account for costs for attraction entrance, excursions, and other experiences.
One example– a 7-night cruise for a family of four may run $3,000- $5,000 depending on the cruise line and time of year. That same family could spend well over $1,000 on excursions for the ports they will be visiting. And that does not even take into account costs for alcohol, spa treatments, and gratuities.
When comparing vacation costs always build a full budget. You’d be surprised how often high-end, all-inclusive resorts actually become affordable when you look at total vacation costs, not just the initial package price.
3. Failing to Check Weather Forecasts
Oh man you are so excited to get on that plane and get on vacation! Your bags are packed. You land and… it’s POURING down rain. The forecast has been bad for days and you left your rain coats and umbrellas at home. And that fun excursion you are taking is outside the cancelation window, so guess you will be hiking the rain forest in the actual rain.
Be mindful of the weather so you can adjust your packing and trip plans ahead of time. This will often help you save money from unenjoyable experiences and buying items along the way… Have you seen the prices for ponchos at a Disney Park?!
4. Forgetting Items You Might Not Be Able to Find
Heading abroad? Well make sure to pick up the power convertor BEFORE you travel. You may luck out and be able to pick those up at the hotel, but many times you cannot. The local drug store in most cities will offer convertors to turn their home country plugs into US plugs, not vice versa. And if you pick one up in the airport prepare to pay double!
The same goes true for toiletries and other personal items. Often times other countries have different ingredients, scents, and applications for things like deodorant, shampoo and toothpaste. You may very well find yourself not enjoying what you pick up along the way, even though it appears the same as back home. Tossing it as soon as you return means you just wasted money!
5. Not Giving Yourself Enough Travel Time
You would be surprised how often this one happens! Through the miracle of modern flight we get to travel to the otherside of the world and sometimes things don’t go exactly right. Planning an intercontinental flight to catch a cruise or land tour within just a few hours of landing is a dangerous proposition. Weather, mechanical delays, labor strikes (we’ve gotten stuck three times on this one) can all impact how and when you arrive at your destination.
Do the smart thing and work in an extra day for travel. It may cost you a little more in an extra hotel room night, but you get time to get acclimated locally– and it is MUCH cheaper than missing your tour or cruise and having to find a way to catch up!
Oh… and buy trip insurance too!!!
What’s your top tip for avoding costly travel mistakes? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Need help planning a trip? Want to avoid this mistakes? Let our team of professional Travel Advisors help plan the perfect trip for your budget– the real budget!
