11 Travel Hacks That Actually Waste More Money Than They Save

Travel is a fun thing to do, but it can also get pretty pricey if you’re not careful. With travel hacks floating around everywhere, it’s hard not to think you’re saving money. However, some of these tricks can blow back up in your face and really end up costing you more in the long haul.

In this article, we’ll look at 11 travel hacks that sound like such smart money saving moves, but really, they’re not. Before you fall for these common travel myths, here’s what you need to know.

Booking With Multiple Layovers

While booking flights with multiple layovers looks like a good way to save a few scrilla, it usually ends up blowing your budget with unforeseen expenses. It’s cheaper because the first ticket price is lower but the hidden costs add up. Long waits between flights are expensive, and even the possibility of missing a connecting flight can make a “cheap” option expensive.

Booking Hotels Without Checking the Total Price

The price tag you see when booking hotels is often misleading. You’ll be hit with many of these properties’ hidden fees, like resort charges, cleaning fees, or parking costs. Therefore, it’s important to always read the fine print so you know exactly what extra costs you’re going to be up for before you book. The hidden fees may make what seemed like a cheap option way more expensive.

Pre-paying for Your Hotel Stay

Prepaying for a hotel stay looks like a good deal but it often backfires. If your travel plans change, you could be left with a non refundable room. Also, by paying early, you lock yourself into a price, and prices may fluctuate closer to your travel dates, so by locking yourself in early you may have missed out on a better deal.

The choice of Convenience Over Local Dining

While it’s easy to choose to eat at touristy restaurants, or restaurants conveniently located near your hotel, these are often more expensive than their less well known counterparts. Authentic meals can also be found at local eateries or from street food vendors for a fraction of the cost and you’ll experience the culture without the tourist mark up.

Relying on Budget Airlines

Most times, the price tag you see while booking hotel is misleading. For this reason it is always important to read the fine print so you know exactly what extra costs you will be paying before you book. Budgeting for the right price and including these possible hidden fees will ensure you don’t get that shock of an unexpected charge.

The Use of Currency Exchange Kiosks at the Airport

While it maybe handy to change currency at the airport, these kinds of kiosks usually charge high exchange rates as well steep fees. You’re not just paying for the exchange, you’re also paying for the convenience of not having to plan ahead. Rather, you can save a lot of money by withdrawing cash from a local ATM or by using a better rated exchange service.

Airport Taxi Services

Airport taxis seem like the simplest option, but you’ll likely end up paying more for them than for local transportation. On top of being overpriced, they are also unreliable—traffic or a long wait time can make them a failure. If you don’t need to drive, exploring local public transportation, or ride sharing could save you money and get you to your destination faster.

Overpacking to Try and Avoid Baggage Fees

While it looks like a clever way to avoid paying checked baggage fees by overpacking your carry on, it can end up costing you more. Excess overweight bags are subject to expensive penalties, and carry on items that are too large may also incur additional fees. Often it’s cheaper to pack your luggage smart and pay for checked luggage.

Skipping Travel Insurance

You may think it’s a waste of money to pay for travel insurance, but it can actually save you money and heartache down the road. The price of insurance is suddenly going to cost way more than the flights, than a medical emergency, than some lost baggage. If things go wrong during your trip, you will most likely end up paying much more than this expense.

Airport Lounge Access Payment

Airport lounges with a relaxing atmosphere with free refreshments can quickly get expensive. While lounge memberships or pay per use fees aren’t always worth the value, if you’re only at the airport for a short layover, they can become quite costly. But instead of waiting around at the airport, pack your own snacks and find a quiet place to rest before your flight.

Upgrading to First Class

Upgrading to first class sounds like a splurge, but is typically expensive for a reason. The difference in price between economy and first class can be shocking and for most short flights the comfort and amenities aren’t worth the price. If you want comfort, don’t look for it on these seats, instead look for premium economy or extra legroom seats.

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

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