As someone who travels frequently—most often as a non-rev traveler who has to be extra flexible—I’ve seen it all. From people sprinting through terminals to missing connections, to having meltdowns over lost luggage. Traveling can be an enriching and enjoyable experience, but it can also be fraught with pitfalls, especially for those who don't travel often. Here are some of the biggest mistakes I see people make that disrupt their trips and cause avoidable headaches.

Mistake #1: Buying Tickets on Third-Party Websites

Sure, those third-party websites promise the world (or at least a cheap ticket to it), but they often deliver chaos. I recently overheard a passenger on a flight from Dallas to LAX in a real bind. She booked her trip from South Carolina to Maui through one of these sites, leading to a convoluted itinerary involving multiple stops, switching airlines, and tight connections.

She was offered the option to check her bag through to her final destination because regional jets couldn’t accommodate her carry-on. This meant collecting her bag at LAX and passing through security again to switch to her new airline—all in a short layover. It was an impossible scenario. She in all likelihood was going to miss her flight to Hawaii and have to take a later one. Had this passenger simply declined the agent’s offer to check her bag through to LAX, and instead gate-checked her carry-on for her first flight, her woes could have been avoided. 

Spoiler alert: This could have ALSO been avoided by booking her entire sequence directly with one airline, ensuring smoother transitions and baggage handling all the way from South Carolina to Maui.

Booking through a third-party site also voids many benefits you get when booking directly with an airline. You'll likely end up in a later boarding group, which often means overhead bin space will be full by the time you board. Plus, airlines consider third-party bookings to be the responsibility of the travel agent, so if your flight is delayed or canceled, you're on your own. Good luck getting a meal voucher or a hotel stay—Expedia isn’t known for its hospitality.

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Book Directly with the Airline: Better coordination and support, fewer headaches.

• Avoid Tight Connections: Especially when switching airlines at labyrinthine airports.

• Research Itinerary Logistics: Know what you’re getting into before you hit “purchase.”

Mistake #2: Not Researching Airports Ahead of Time

Every airport is its own beast. Some are easy to navigate and transit, like Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) with its circular terminal train and walkable terminal layout. Others are nightmares, like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), where terminals are stacked side by side and connected by a compulsory central train. Getting from one end to the other can feel like a marathon.

Want to utilize rideshare when you get to your destination? Busy airports like Boston Logan, LaGuardia, and LAX have rideshare pickups in parking lots a long walk or shuttle ride away. Imagine landing and then embarking on a quest for your Uber. Fun, right?

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Study Airport Maps: Terminal layouts and transportation options are your new best friends.

• Plan for Shuttle Services or Long Walks: Know if you’ll need a shuttle to get to your rental car or rideshare pickup.

• Know Security Re-Screening Requirements: Especially if switching airlines or terminals.

Mistake #3: Unnecessarily Checking a Bag

Why do people check bags just because it’s included in their fare? Unless you're hauling something that can’t pass through security, stick to carry-on when at all possible. Even on longer trips, laundromats exist for a reason. Checking bags can lead to delays, lost luggage, and overpacking.

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Pack Smart and Light: Versatile clothing pieces are your friends.

• Utilize Carry-On Bags: No waiting at the carousel, no lost luggage.

• Consider Necessity: Do you really need 15 pairs of shoes for a week’s vacation?

Mistake #4: Not Getting to the Airport Early Enough

Underestimating airport navigation time is a rookie mistake. Long security lines, gate changes, and unfamiliar layouts can turn a smooth trip into a mad dash. Always better to arrive early and have time to spare.

Take Salt Lake City airport, for example. If you’re flying out of Concourse B, you’ll face a long tunnel walk—even with people movers, it can take 10 minutes to get from one concourse to the other. And let’s not forget airport traps like food courts or restrooms with long lines, which can derail your schedule.

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Arrive Early: Two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international flights.

• Consider Airport Layouts: Account for long walks, trains, or other time-sucking features.

• Be Prepared for Delays: Anticipate gate changes or unexpected delays in busy airports.

Mistake #5: Needlessly Waiting in Line

In today’s digital age, why wait in physical lines? Museum tickets, customs forms, and more can be completed online, saving you valuable time. When we visited Osaka, there was a long, winding line to buy physical tickets to visit the castle, despite the signs everywhere with QR codes to the online ticketing website. When going through customs, I'll see so many people wait until they get paper forms to start filling it out, when there is another line where all you need to do is scan a QR code that links to the form you filled out online. In general, people tend to turn their brains off when they travel and just follow whatever the crowd is doing, not realizing there is a faster way to accomplish a given goal. 

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Use Online Ticketing Options: Skip the long lines.

• Fill Out Forms Digitally: Customs and other paperwork can often be done online.

• Stay Aware and Proactive: Don’t blindly follow the crowd—there’s usually a faster way.

Mistake #6: Not Having a Backup Plan

Travel plans can change in the blink of an eye due to weather, strikes, or other unforeseen events. This is especially true for non-revenue travelers, where unpredictability is the norm. Without a backup plan, you might find yourself stranded or stressed. When I'm heading to the airport, whether it's to join my husband on his overnight in Las Vegas, visit a friend four states away, or dip my toes in the ocean, I always have a contingency plan. If my initial plans fall through, I might pivot to a new destination, or decide stop by my favorite nail salon after leaving the airport, or order my favorite guilty-pleasure takeout dish when I get home. In the unpredictable world of travel, you must be able to turn disappointment into an opportunity.

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Plan for Contingencies: Always have alternative activities or routes in mind. Flexibility is key.

• Keep Important Info Handy: Have contact numbers for airlines, hotels, and local embassies easily accessible.

• Consider Travel Insurance: It can cover unexpected cancellations or medical emergencies, providing peace of mind.

Mistake #7: Not Allowing Enough Travel Days Before Important Events

This mistake drives me nuts. I've seen so many people stressed about not making it to their destination on time due to flight delays or cancellations because they planned their travel day ONE day before they needed to be there. As a non-rev traveler, I know when to roll the dice and when not to. Sometimes that means buying a paid seat, and if traveling standby, giving myself at least two days to reach my desired destination—sometimes three if traveling internationally. Since I don't often have a paid seat, I struggle to sympathize with people who don't give themselves extra time with a paid ticket. The airline will take care of you if your flight cancels; they won't take care of me.

Tips to Avoid This Mistake:

• Travel Early: Plan to arrive a day or two before important events to cushion against delays.

• Understand Airline Policies: Know how your airline handles cancellations and rebookings.

• Factor in Standby Risks: If you’re a non-rev traveler, give yourself extra buffer days.

Conclusion

Traveling smartly involves more than just booking a flight and packing a bag. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can reduce stress and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable journey. Remember to book directly with airlines, research your airports, minimize checked luggage, arrive early, and utilize online services whenever possible. Additionally, understand visa requirements, pack wisely, respect local customs, have backup plans, and allow for downtime.