"In this day and age, traveling feels more expensive than ever. Few things are worse than the group chat finally organizing a trip, locking in the dates, requesting PTO, and then balking at the price when you go to actually book flights. Overpaying on a plane ticket can completely derail your travel budget, and I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather spend my money on the vacation itself than on getting there (crammed into a middle seat with a single carry-on, no less). No matter how savvy a traveler you think you are, these 10 common mistakes could cost you money when booking your flights.
1. Flying out on weekends instead of weekdays
You might not want to waste an extra day of PTO to fly out on a weekday, but the savings make a huge difference. According to Google, flying out on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday saves travelers an average of 13 percent compared to weekend flights. If you’re only searching for long weekend trips, the chances of getting a great deal on your plane ticket dwindle significantly. Expand your search to include weekday departures for more affordable options.
2. Not being flexible with travel dates
Speaking of opening up your search, if you can be even more flexible with your travel dates, it might just save you a chunk of cash while traveling. Instead of picking a specific timeframe and searching for flights, start by looking for the cheapest dates and destinations. If you’re planning ahead and not traveling for a fixed event, a little flexibility can go a long way.
3. Booking too early (or too late)
It’s easy to procrastinate booking a flight, but it can cost you serious money if you put it off for too long. On the flip side, booking too early can also result in higher prices, so it’s important to know the sweet spot for getting the best flight deal. According to Google, the lowest prices for domestic flights are between 21 to 52 days before takeoff. For international flights, the lowest prices will be about 26 to 68 days out from departure. Plan ahead and book within these windows to avoid overpaying.
4. Avoiding early flights
I despise waking up before dawn for a 5 a.m. flight just as much as the next girl, but an early start is often worth it. When you book one of the first flights out of the airport, the chances of delays or cancellations are much slimmer. Avoiding these risks means you won’t be hit with unexpected charges if you need to rebook. Plus, the flight prices themselves are often lower, and the plane is less likely to be fully booked. You might even snag a row with an open middle seat, which is the ultimate prize while flying.
5. Booking flights with tight connections
Despite how fast you think you can sprint through the airport, tight connections between flights increase the risk of missing your flight. If you don’t allow at least two hours on the ground between connections, you may pay more to rebook after a missed flight. Always double-check that your layover is long enough to avoid unexpected expenses and the stress of last-minute changes.
6. Not using credit card points
Utilizing credit card points is one of the easiest ways to save money on travel. If you have a card that lets you apply points toward the price of a flight, you’re essentially racking up savings every time you swipe your card. Then just remember to check your balance before booking a flight and compare the cost in both dollars and points. Why spend money when you don’t have to?
7. Failing to track flight prices
Don’t just search for flights once and book the first good deal you see. Use tools like Hopper or Google Flights to track prices and set alerts. These tools notify you when prices drop, ensuring you snag the best deal without constantly checking. Most people stop doing this when they find a good deal, but you should continue tracking even after booking. If you booked a refundable ticket and the prices drop, you can buy the cheaper ticket and get your money back for the more expensive one.
8. Skipping the fine print
You might think you’ve found the perfect ticket until you realize it doesn’t include a carry-on or your choice of seat, and you’re hit with an $80 fee at the gate. Always read the fine print to understand what’s included in your ticket. From baggage policies to seat selection and refund options, these details can impact your total cost. You may want to choose a slightly more expensive ticket if it saves you money on your bags, seat choice, or change fees.
9. Limiting yourself to one airline
We all have that one airline we believe to be the best of the best (personally, I’m a Southwest girlie), but no matter how loyal you are, there’s no guarantee that your fave airline has the best price. If you have a credit card that gives you points to a single airline, check out how far your points can get you. However, if you’re only sticking to that airline out of habit, you need to compare costs across airlines. You never know—you might be missing out on the deal of a lifetime just because you aren’t checking.
10. Overlooking surrounding airports
When booking flights, it’s tempting to focus on the airport closest to your destination. However, nearby airports often offer cheaper options. If you’re willing to drive a bit further or take public transportation, flying into an alternate airport can save you money. While it may add some travel time, it’s worth checking out if your priority is staying within budget.
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Instagram for beautiful homes to feature on the site.