Booking a flight is easier than ever thanks to the internet. Anyone can book their plane tickets in a matter of minutes without needing to call the airline or a travel agency like in the old days. But despite how convenient the process has become, snagging a plane ticket online comes with potential pitfalls. Here are eight potentially costly airline booking mistakes you might be making — and tips on how to avoid them.

You Book Too Early or Late

Many airlines price their flights conservatively when they first go on sale, so those early reservations will likely end up costing you more than if you booked closer to the departure date. Prices tend to start dipping around the six-month mark, so it’s worth waiting until at least then. On the other hand, if you wait until a few days before travel, you’ll likely end up paying a hefty sum for one of the dwindling available seats. 

It’s useful to know the sweet spots for booking flights. According to a 2024 report from Expedia, that window is roughly 28 days before takeoff for domestic flights and around 60 days before international trips. The study found that customers who booked domestic flights 28 days before leaving were rewarded with 24% savings compared to those who waited until the last minute. For international travelers, those savings were closer to 10%.

You Book the Absolute Cheapest Fare

Rock-bottom fares are too tempting for some travelers to pass up. But keep in mind that some tickets are cheap for a reason. Budget airlines often charge travelers hidden fees that quickly add up by the time of your flight. For instance, you may be paying just $20 for the ticket itself, but then you’ll end up paying extra for checked or even carry-on luggage, seat selection, and in-flight food and drinks. 

At the end of the day, those fees might add up to the point where you’re likely paying just as much, if not more, than standard fares on some non-budget airlines. To avoid this pitfall, take the time to do some research of all the fees on the airline’s site and a little math beforehand to add up the total cost of all those potential fees. This will allow you to determine if a seemingly “cheap” fare is worth booking.

You Depart on the Wrong Day

Certain days of the week typically have less demand, particularly for business travel, and airlines price fares accordingly. According to data from Hopper, the average cost of taking a domestic flight on a Tuesday is roughly 24% lower than those same seats for flights departing on a Sunday, which is the most expensive day of the week. Wednesdays are the next cheapest day to fly, and even flying on a Saturday or Monday will save you an average of around $50 versus Sunday departures. When it comes to international trips, Wednesday is the cheapest option, and you’ll net roughly 12% in savings if you leave on a Wednesday instead of a Sunday.

You Make Your Purchase on the Wrong Day

While Sunday may be the most expensive day to fly, making the actual purchase for your flight on a Sunday could end up costing less. According to Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, booking your trip on a Sunday — no matter what day it departs — will net you around 8% savings compared to making that purchase on a Friday. Breaking it down by cabin, you can typically expect to save around 5% for both domestic and international economy, 7% for domestic business, and a whopping 24% on international business class tickets.

You Don’t Clear Your Browser Cookies

As you browse the internet, retail sites gather data about your shopping history in the form of cookies. These cookies may leave you vulnerable to a concept known as dynamic pricing. Essentially, companies — including travel sites — can display different prices depending on the consumer. They may even charge you more than a new customer if they see you’ve purchased expensive flights with them before. 

To avoid falling victim to this strategy, browse using incognito mode or clear your cookies beforehand. To clear your cookies, visit the settings tab of your preferred browser, go to privacy settings, and delete past cookies. This won’t affect any of your bookmarks, but it’ll wipe the slate clean and allow you to shop for lower prices as if you were a new customer.

You Book With a Third-Party Website

Instead of using sites like Priceline to book, try using Google Flights, which displays all available flight options and prices across sites — and then allows you to book directly with the airline. Also remember that booking directly with the airline is useful in the event you need to cancel. In fact, there’s a rule that ensures a full refund without penalty to customers within 24 hours of booking, but only those who book directly with an airline. (Though some third-party providers offer a similar guarantee, you’ll want to do your research carefully.)

You Avoid Inconvenient Flights

In an ideal world, we’d all be taking direct flights at convenient times. But that’s often easier said than done, especially if you’re looking to save money. In order to net the cheapest fare, consider departing between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., as doing so will save you roughly 2% compared to afternoon flights, according to Hopper. You can also save an average of 3% by snagging a return flight in the early morning instead of later in the day, as most travelers prefer to spend a full day at their destination before returning back home. 

Some would argue that layovers are much more of an inconvenience than leaving early, and they may be right. Even still, those savings are often too good to pass up — you can save around 20% on flights that require a connection, according to historical data from Google Flights.

You Plug in Specific Travel Dates

It’s always important to maintain flexibility when traveling — and that includes before your trip even starts. If you’re looking to avoid paying a premium, consider searching for flights over the course of a larger window of time rather than a narrow set of specific dates. Services like Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner, or Hopper allow customers to view flights within a range of time and select the dates with the most attractive prices. These sites also allow for flexibility with regards to your destination, as you can search by general metro area or country rather than specific airports or even specific cities. The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to snag a better flight deal.

According to data from the FTC, scammers conned unsuspecting Americans out of a mind-blowing $10 billion in 2023. One in four found themselves a victim, incurring a median loss of $500. Travel-related scams were a relatively small percentage of these incidents, but even so, they still generated more than 55,000 reports — hardly insignificant. And as much of our trip planning and bookings now take place online, potential scams have become more sophisticated. Rest assured: The vast majority of vacations go off without a hitch, but here are six common travel scams to look out for before, during, and after your trip.

Make Sure It Really Is Your Hotel Getting in Touch 

Many travelers rely on online travel agencies (OTAs) and consolidators to find the best deals for accommodations. However, a worrying trend is starting to appear in which hackers are logging into travel booking portals to request money. They do it by infiltrating the systems of the hotels themselves, but because the message arrives via the OTA’s app, travelers have been fooled into thinking it’s legitimate. When they check in, the receptionist has no record of any payment and they’ll have to shell out again. 

So, how can you be sure you aren’t dealing with a nefarious third party? When you reserve a room with an OTA such as Booking.com or Expedia, make a note of the hotel’s email address and phone number. Shoot them a message before parting with any money and ask for a secure link if you intend to pay them online. Or, better yet, pick up the phone and call the official number for the hotel and ask to make a payment over the phone. 

Be Careful When Using a Third-Party Website for ETAs

An increasing number of countries require travelers to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) prior to travel. They’re similar to the ESTA required by the U.S. to determine eligibility for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. As such programs are overseen by official government agencies, so too are the websites through which travelers apply. 

But unscrupulous businesses have seen an opportunity to dupe applicants by offering to procure the ETA on their behalf, charging an additional fee in the process. One provider, for instance, offers a Canadian ETA service for $79. However, if you apply directly with the Canadian government, it costs just $7 CAD. Though U.S. travelers aren’t required to obtain a Canadian ETA, other areas such as the EU are planning such requirements in the near future, and similar websites are likely to pop up. So, be sure to do your due diligence and apply with the government agency directly. 

Avoid Being Taken for a Ride at the Airport

There are many reasons for travelers to be wary at the airport. One potential scam awaits right outside the arrivals hall. If you’re jet-lagged after a long journey, it can be easy to fall victim to unlicensed taxi drivers. Hop in, and you could be taking a circuitous route to your accommodation and be charged well over the going rate. Or worse, you could be charged an inflated price displayed on a meter that’s been tampered with. 

Trust your gut — if something feels a little off, go back inside the terminal building and find the information kiosk so airport employees can point you in the right direction. Research your destination before leaving home to see if there’s an official taxi area at the airport. Alternatively, arrange for transportation with the hotel directly, book a scheduled shuttle transfer, or consider public transportation if it’s available.    

Yes, Diversion Scams Still Exist

You’ve probably read about diversion scams before. They follow a tried and tested pattern, starting with a tap on the shoulder to point out that you’ve dropped something or perhaps an offer of a handkerchief to deal with an accidental spillage on your jacket. As you take a look and thank the kind stranger for their help, an accomplice picks your pocket or snatches your bag. By the time you realize your mistake, they’ve disappeared, leaving you to work out what’s missing. 

Sadly, such thefts take place often in some destinations. It’s always common sense to keep your wits about you in busy places or during any interactions initiated by someone else, such as if you’re asked for directions. Avoid using your cell phone on the go where possible, wear cross-body bags or money belts, and keep valuables behind zipped pockets or in a hotel safe. 

Be on the Lookout for Fake Police Officers 

Most travelers would instinctively trust a police officer when overseas and comply with their instructions. Unfortunately, impersonators bank on you doing just that. One relatively common sting is to demand your purse in order to search for counterfeit money. When they return it, some of your cash will be missing, though you probably won’t be able to prove anything — it’s your word against theirs. 

While you might be able to spot a fake on home turf, faced with unfamiliar uniforms you probably wouldn’t feel as confident in doing so abroad. Asking to see ID might help, but that could also be counterfeit. Instead, request that the so-called officer accompany you to the nearest police station so that the check can be carried out on the premises.     

Check Social Media Handles Carefully

When flights are canceled or baggage fails to appear on the carousel, it can be tempting to vent on social media. After all, you’re doing your fellow travelers a service by sharing your experience, right? 

But if you get a response purporting to be from the airline’s customer service team, take a close look at the account from which it originates and also whether it was set up recently. Scammers trawl for keywords in the hope of finding their next victim. You may be asked to send a direct message with your flight details or hand over personal information such as bank account or credit card details. Fraudsters have tricked some unwitting passengers into paying a rebooking fee or fare difference, thinking it’s for a replacement flight, when in reality it’s just another travel scam to be on the lookout for. 

Note: All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Daily Passport may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

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Flight attendants spend thousands of hours in the sky each year, so who better to ask for tips when it comes to air travel? Their hospitality and breadth of experience ensure the safety and comfort of passengers during each journey. And with so much time spent in the skies, it should come as no surprise that flight attendants are privy to some insider info that the average flier may not be aware of. To find out the scoop, we reached out to Linzey, a flight attendant at a major airline, and asked for some tips and tricks that promise to make any plane trip a whole lot easier. (The conversation that follows has been lightly edited for clarity.)

What are your go-to flight essentials for staying hydrated and avoiding jet lag?

I bring a 50-ounce water bottle with me every time I fly (for work and personal travel). You just need to fill it up in the terminal before your flight. My skincare routine is also important to me — I am constantly reapplying hand lotion and lip balm during flights. To avoid jet lag, try to adjust to the time zone you’re going to as quickly as possible.

Any other tips for surviving long flights?

Like I said, stay hydrated! I also bring my own little snack bag, so I don’t have to pay airport prices — and I get to eat what I like if I don’t love the onboard options. The other non-negotiables for me are noise-canceling headphones, hand lotion, lip balm, and a sleep mask. I also like to have a few movies or shows, playlists, and books downloaded for entertainment if I’m not trying to sleep during the flight. I’ve even brought easy card games like Uno when traveling with a friend.

What are some airplane etiquette tips that you wish more people followed? Any passenger pet peeves?

Honestly, I wish people would just be considerate of others. As for pet peeves: Please don’t touch or grab me. There are so many other ways to get my attention.

Is there anything that passengers can do to make your job easier?

If you bring a carry-on bag, make sure it fits the size requirements ahead of time. If you can’t lift it above your head and into the bin, you should check it. We aren’t allowed to lift bags and put them overhead for you, which is why I’m stressing this so much. We can help you guide it into the bin, but you still have to be the one to lift it.”

Otherwise, look at the drink and snack options in the seatback pocket before we get to you and know what you want to order. And if we ask you to do something, it is almost always safety related — so please don’t argue with us.

Do people request free upgrades? Are they ever successful?

All of the time. I don’t give out free upgrades. If you want to upgrade, you can talk to the gate agent before boarding starts and learn your options.

What do you think are the best seats in the economy cabin?

I personally prefer a window seat with extra leg room, like an exit row. I think the “best seat” is wherever you are the most comfortable.

Do you have a favorite time of day to fly?

I prefer early morning or late night flying because people typically seem to be more relaxed during those times.

Should I be worried about turbulence? How do flight attendants deal with it?

No! It honestly doesn’t bother me at all. The one kind of turbulence you have to be more concerned with is clear air turbulence because there is no warning for it — which is why you should always have your seatbelt on when you aren’t up for something, even if the seatbelt sign is off.

What are the most popular beverages on planes? Any that people should avoid or that flight attendants don’t like serving? 

Water, sparkling water, ginger ale, and Coke are probably the most popular drinks, but it really depends on the route. Certain drinks are more common in specific regions or time of day. In terms of beverages worth avoiding, anything with a high sodium content or that causes you personally to bloat. 

As for beverages we don’t like serving, definitely Diet Coke and Coke Zero. They take so much time to pour because they fizz up so much so it just slows the rhythm down a bit. 

What do flight attendants usually eat and drink in the air?

It really depends on the flight attendant. For food, I bring bagged salad kits (with grilled chicken, tofu, or smoked salmon), baked potatoes (toppings of choice), carrot sticks, pickles, fruits, cottage cheese, oatmeal, granola bars, protein shakes, and usually whatever leftovers I have. For drinks, I drink through my 50-ounce water bottle a few times, and I bring my own coffee and tea. I also bring electrolyte powders and usually have a Coke Zero at some point. 

I also asked a few of my friends:

Flight Attendant No. 1: I pack fried rice, noodles, stir fry, burritos, yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal. I drink water and my own coffee and hot tea. Sometimes I also drink Coke Zero and seltzer water.

Flight Attendant No. 2: I drink more water when working than when I’m not. For meals, I often bake a pizza before I leave for a trip or eat chicken wings that heat up well in airplane ovens. And I always have oatmeal and ramen packed, as those can be made with boiling water.

Flight Attendant No. 3: Chicken and rice, popcorn, gummy bears, and lots of water and sparkling water.

Flight Attendant No. 4: I meal prep for every trip, so I bring all my food. My last couple trips I brought “egg rolls in a bowl,” which didn’t need to be reheated. The trip before that, I made sweet potatoes stuffed with chickpeas and kale, which did need to be heated. (I use a tin from the plane and reheat in the oven.) For breakfast, I usually do overnight oats, yogurt, fruit, cottage cheese, or a bagel with cream cheese or avocado. For snacks, I bring pickles and fruits, nuts, and popcorn.

Is it better to check my luggage or bring a carry-on? 

It depends on the person and on the trip you’re taking. I never check bags, but I know I can lift my bag and put it in the overhead bin, and I know my tote bag fits under the seat in front of me. If I needed to check a bag for a longer trip, I would absolutely do that and just bring a small backpack with my essentials for the plane.

Any tips or tricks that we didn’t cover?

If you have a great flight attendant, please let them know! And fill out the quick survey or feedback to the company and let the company know when someone is doing an awesome job. It really means so much to us when we get positive feedback, and it takes 30 seconds of your time.

Note: All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Daily Passport may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

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Dealing with airport security is the best part of the travel experience… said no one ever. The reality is, nobody likes taking off their shoes, walking through body scanners, and being told that they need to toss that tiny bottle of toothpaste because it was an ounce over the limit. But one aspect of airport security that puzzles many travelers is why we need to take our laptop out at these checkpoints. Why can most items simply be scanned by the X-ray machine, while laptops and other large electronic devices require an added step that slows down the entire process? As it turns out, there’s a logic behind this decision. Let’s take a look at why you need to take your computer out of your bag at airport security.

Your Laptop is Blocking Your Luggage

No, it’s not just the TSA adding an extra screening step to keep travelers on their toes. It’s imperative to remove your laptop at airport security for one simple reason: The battery and other mechanical components are too dense for many X-ray machines to penetrate. This is especially true when it comes to the older model scanners that many airports still rely on. The components of a laptop essentially create a solid barrier, which can be used to obscure other items packed into the same bag. This could mean knives, smaller firearms, or any other potentially dangerous items packed by people looking to cause damage or harm.

By requiring passengers to remove their laptops, TSA agents can look behind this “wall” to see if there are any prohibited items hidden in the laptop bag. If you’re pulled for secondary screening, some TSA agents might actually make you turn on the computer to show it’s working — if a laptop doesn’t boot up, that might arouse suspicion. These rules primarily apply to standard laptop computers, whereas tablets such as iPads are thin enough for the scanner to see through.

The Benefits of a TSA-Approved Laptop Bag

To avoid the hassle of removing your laptop, it may be worth investing in a laptop bag designed with TSA-approved specifications in mind. These include a designated laptop section that can completely unfold to lie flat on the conveyor belt, no additional pockets within that laptop-only section, and no dangling metal fasteners that could potentially obscure the X-ray scanner from seeing all that it needs to see.

Word of caution: Even if you purchase a bag that you believe to meet these requirements, TSA agents can still ask you to remove your laptop for any reason. But if you want the best shot at getting through security without the extra hassle, check out the approved laptop bags at retailers such as Amazon.

The Future of Airport Scanners

While there are still many hoops that travelers need to jump through at TSA checkpoints, some good news may be on the horizon. Many airports are still using previous-generation X-ray scanners that are less sophisticated than what’s currently available on the market. But in 2022, the federal government awarded a $780 million contract to install nearly 1,000 next-gen scanners at TSA checkpoints. In 2023, $1.3 billion was allocated for additional X-ray scanners. And it’s not just a U.S. phenomenon — these highly-advanced X-ray devices have been installed at major airports in cities like Rome, London, and Amsterdam, with many more on the way. 

While old scanners produce a simple overhead image, these next-gen machines create 3-D images of the bag’s interior. This provides TSA agents with a detailed view at every nook and cranny in the bag, thus allowing them to determine if there are any potentially dangerous items tucked underneath any dense obstructions like a laptop. Not only do these machines mean you can keep your laptop inside the bag, but you can also leave liquids inside the bag rather than undergo a separate screening. All told, these newer machines should theoretically reduce wait times in the security queue.

Note: All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Daily Passport may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

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If you fly a lot, chances are that you’re no stranger to turbulence. It’s not rare for the fasten-seatbelt light to be switched on midway through a flight, nor is it uncommon for passengers to experience short periods of bumpiness. Even though it can be unpleasant, turbulence is usually mild and rarely anything to worry about. But if you travel often and have been noticing more frequent bumps in the sky, you’re not alone: According to recent reports, flight turbulence is on the rise. Let’s explain why.

What Happens When a Plane Encounters Turbulence?

The degree of in-flight turbulence can differ significantly from flight to flight. You might experience a brief interruption to the meal service or the inconvenience of not being able to use the restroom for a few minutes. In more extreme cases, the overhead bins can open and shed their contents and injuries can occur, particularly to those who aren’t wearing their seatbelts. That said, unless you’re a nervous flier, it’s not usually something that would trouble you for long. 

It’s not just passengers and flight crews that are affected — severe turbulence also causes a headache for aircraft maintenance teams. If a plane bounces around frequently, it’s subjected to greater stresses than when a flight is smooth, causing more wear and tear to the airframe. The need to carry out time-consuming checks and repairs places an additional financial burden on airlines. It’s estimated that turbulence costs the U.S. aviation industry somewhere between $150 and $500 million every year. 

One Type of Turbulence Is Becoming More Common

Serious or sustained turbulence is never a good thing, so to learn that its incidence is increasing is unwelcome news. According to a 2023 study carried out by the University of Reading in the U.K., one particular kind of turbulence known as clear air turbulence is becoming far more likely to impact flights than in previous years.

Clear air turbulence is caused when different air masses collide, each with varying wind speeds and directions. In the findings, published in the Geophysical Research Letters journal, datasets taken between 1979 and 2020 demonstrated large increases in clear air turbulence of all magnitudes. Particularly worrisome is that incidences of severe turbulence grew by 55%.

Other Forms of Turbulence

Turbulence is often associated with mountainous regions. As warm air rises to pass over the obstacle, in this case a mountain, it creates unstable air on the windward side. The air cools and condenses, forming clouds and causing turbulence. Frontal turbulence, which is associated with clouds and thunderstorms, occurs in much the same way, minus the hilly terrain. Thanks to the tell-tale presence of those clouds, these types of turbulence are relatively easy to predict, giving pilots time to plan evasive action. 

Likewise, wind shear turbulence is something flight crews know to watch out for. This happens when the wind direction and speed change suddenly. Near the jet stream, it’s quite common to encounter this type of turbulence, which is carefully monitored by meteorologists and included in weather reports.

What’s Different About Clear Air Turbulence?

In contrast, clear air turbulence most often happens in cloudless skies. Though it is far more common in winter than summer, this type of turbulence is far trickier for pilots to anticipate, as it isn’t something that can clearly be identified on the plane’s radar. Researchers also found evidence of greater incidences of clear air turbulence at altitudes over 15,000 feet — precisely the kind of altitude commercial aircraft typically favor when cruising. 

As a consequence, the data showed that planes following flight paths over the U.S. and the North Atlantic Ocean were especially likely to encounter clear air turbulence. While it’s usually possible to escape such turbulence by altering the plane’s altitude by a few thousand feet, it’s still preferable not to encounter it at all.

What’s Driving This Change?

The authors of the report believe there’s a link between increased turbulence and climate change. One of them, Professor Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, wrote: “Following a decade of research showing that climate change will increase clear air turbulence in the future, we now have evidence suggesting that the increase has already begun. We should be investing in improved turbulence forecasting and detection systems, to prevent the rougher air from translating into bumpier flights in the coming decades.” 

Another study at the University of Reading focused on future trends. Isabel Smith, a meteorologist and PhD student, found a correlation between global temperature increases and the incidence of clear air turbulence. According to her projections, by 2050, summers could become more turbulent — matching levels that, in 1950, were seen only in winter and fall.

Even as the world grapples with the need to reduce emissions and invests heavily in green energy and technology, we’re likely to see a continued growth in clear air turbulence. In the meantime, the best advice is to buckle up and always follow flight crew instructions to ensure you remain safe in the skies.