3 Cheap Travel Habits That Can Cost You Hundreds More in the Long Run
It feels great to score a cheap flight or budget hotel until you encounter hidden fees or extended costs.
In many cases, what looks like a smart money-saving move at checkout can cost travelers hundreds more by the end of the trip.
Travel experts explain three the cheap travel habits to reconsider.
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Booking the Cheapest Flight
One of the most common cheap travel habits experts warn about is choosing the lowest airfare thinking you're saving money, without considering the full cost of the trip.
Kendyl Grender, owner of Kendyl Travels, said basic economy can be a financial trap. “The biggest issue with basic economy tickets is that you can't make any changes, so if the price of the ticket drops, you're locked into your rate.” Since airfare tickets change prices constantly, standard economy allows more flexibility in ticket prices, “saving you money in the long run.”
Many travelers also underestimate how quickly add-ons pile up. “It's also a good idea to pay for economy to get things like seat selection and baggage fees included, which are typically a lot cheaper than paying for these things independently,” she said.
Ally Gibson, travel expert and founder of the travel blog and YouTube channel Ally Travels, added that timing and logistics matter just as much as ticket price. “I’ve seen travelers save $40 on a 5 a.m. flight, only to realize that because no trains were running, they had to book a $70 private car or ride-share to get to the airport on time.”
Gibson recommended travelers do the “all-in” math before assuming a budget airline is actually cheaper.
Cheap Hotels and Rental Cars
Trying to save aggressively on hotels and rental cars can also backfire according to Melissa Middlestadt, travel expert and travel writer at My Beautiful Passport. She said travelers often focus too narrowly on upfront savings in terms of hotel location. “If you end up booking something far outside the main area to save money, then you end up spending that savings on daily transportation just to get anywhere.”
Travelers can also easily get burned financially on rental cars. “Never nickel and dime your car rental, it almost always leads to higher fees later on,” Grender said.
She also warned that international travelers are often blindsided by mandatory insurance fees. “Some countries require you to purchase car insurance for your rental on-site but booking platforms don't include these fees automatically. Leaving you with hundreds of dollars in additional expenses at the counter.”
Skipping Travel Insurance
Many travelers skip travel insurance thinking it is an unnecessary expense, but Gibson said the risk is significant. “If you have a medical emergency abroad or a major trip interruption, you are on the hook for those costs out of pocket,” she said.
Many travelers also mistakenly assume their regular health insurance protects them internationally, Grender said, but that’s not always the case. Double and triple check before you leave.
While most trips go fine, it's a different story when something does go wrong like cancellations, delays, medical issues and lost luggage. “[T]he costs can far exceed what insurance would have cost in the first place,” Middlestadt said.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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