Even if you consider yourself to be a seasoned traveler, chances are that you are making a few mistakes while traveling. While some mistakes might seem minor, others can ruin your trip or cause you to spend more money than you had originally planned. Take a look at these common travel mistakes and how to fix them. Are you guilty of any of these?
Packing Too Much
It does not matter if you are traveling for a few days or even a few weeks; over packing is a common mistake. This mistake can result in higher baggage fees, which could blow your carefully planned travel budget. This is especially true for your return trip, when souvenirs add extra weight to your already overstuffed suitcase.
You can easily remedy this problem by laying out everything you think you will need for the duration of your trip. Then, eliminate half of the wardrobe you had planned on taking. Use basics that coordinate with multiple outfits to extend your wardrobe by several days. Remember also, that you can wear a garment multiple times.
Picking a Cheaper Airport Far From Your Hotel
When buying airline tickets, it is tempting to choose the cheapest fare. While you might think you are doing your budget a favor by buying cheap tickets, you might not be. This is especially true if the airport you have chosen is farther away from your hotel than the closer, more expensive one.
How can this be? Consider how much money you will spend just trying to get from that cheaper airport to your hotel. Transportation expenses could be just as much as, if not more, than the price difference between the cheaper airport and the one that is closer to your destination. Investigate transportation expenses before you buy that ticket.
Failing to Notify Your Bank
You probably already know that if you are traveling outside of the U.S., you should notify your bank. But, what about taking a trip to another state? Would you notify your bank then? If your answer is no, that is a mistake. Any time you travel outside of your home state, you should notify your bank.
You bank is constantly monitoring your purchases for fraud to protect you and your money. Traveling without notifying your bank will result in declined charges, leaving you unable to pay for anything until you speak with your bank. Save yourself the time and hassle and notify your bank of travel plans before you depart.