Replacements for forgotten clothes or toiletries can always be purchased on the road, but every traveler knows a passport is the most important item to remember to pack for an international trip — and one that simply can’t be replaced. However, many travelers (even seasoned travelers) may end up making a simple mistake with their passport that could cost them unnecessary stress or money. If you commit these passport no-no’s, it may prevent you from boarding a plane, forbid you entering a foreign country, or even ban you from returning to certain destinations. Below are the top six passport mistakes travelers should avoid.

Souvenir Stamps

A passport filled with stamps and visas is a scrapbook of your travels around the world. While the standard immigration stamps are the most typical stamps you’ll receive, some destinations — for example, Machu Picchu or some scientific stations in Antarctica — offer a souvenir stamp as well. While this may seem like a fun way to commemorate your trip, these stamps can actually get you into trouble. Certain airlines may not allow you to fly if you have unofficial stamps in your passport, which is considered “alternation or mutilation,” as outlined on the fifth page of every U.S. passport. Not every airline will knock you for these novelty stamps, but it’s better to play it safe and collect these souvenirs in a journal or a novelty passport specially designed for the stamp scavenger hunt. 

Damaged Passport

Normal wear and tear on a passport is acceptable, but you might not get too far if you’re trying to travel with a damaged passport. You may be denied boarding by the airline if your passport shows water damage or there is a significant rip in the pages (especially the cover or the page that holds your personal information and photo), unofficial marks on the information page, missing or torn out pages, or a hole punch. If any of the above are true, you’ll want to apply for a new passport well before you travel to ensure you’re able to board the plane. 

Approaching Expiration

It may seem like common sense that if your passport hasn’t expired yet, you’re good to travel. But what many travelers don’t realize is that if your passport is close to its expiration date, you may not be able to travel with it. Many countries have entry rules that state your passport’s validity must extend anywhere from three to six months past the last day of your trip, but this is not a blanket statement for all countries. The best practice is to check your passport’s expiration date now and look up passport validity rules for each destination before you travel. If your passport is too close to expiration, you may be denied entry abroad or faced with a fine by the host country when you’re trying to return home. 

No More Blank Pages  

Many countries require your passport to have at least two blank pages to be admitted, and some countries may even require four blank pages. This requirement allows the immigration officers adequate space for both an entry and exit stamp, and some airlines may not allow you to board the plane if your passport does not have the required blank pages. It’s best to check the individual requirements of the country you’re traveling to, as not all requirements are equal. 

Travelers were once able to apply to have pages added to their passport if they found themselves running short on space for stamps and visas, but as of 2016, this is no longer allowed. If you’re a frequent traveler, it’s wise to apply for a “large book,” which comes with 52 visa pages.

Overstaying Visas

Remaining in a country past your visa expiration date will almost certainly cause a fuss when you try to exit the country in which you’ve overstayed. You may face a fine or deportation. In more serious cases, the immigration department may choose to ban you from entering the country again for a certain amount of time. Moral of the story: Check your entry stamp to confirm the number of days you were granted on arrival, count out the days on the calendar (the day you got the stamp is day one), and make sure to exit on or before the last day of the visa’s validity. 

Incorrect SIgnature

A U.S. passport is not valid unless it’s signed with blue or black ink, and adults should make sure their signature is on their own passport before traveling. However, you should not sign your child’s passport. There are specific rules about how to validate the passport of a child under 16. The parent should print the child’s name on the signature line and sign their own name next to it, followed by their relationship to the passport holder. 

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If you stay in hotels frequently, you probably know what to expect in your room the moment you check in — a mini-fridge, complimentary toiletries, and perhaps an ice machine down the hall. However, there’s a good chance your hotel provides other amenities you didn’t even know to ask about. These small luxuries and secret perks might make your stay even more comfortable or help you save money as you explore your destination. Discover seven common hotel amenities you might not be taking advantage of.

Bike Rentals

Accommodations in bike-friendly cities such as Boise or Amsterdam are likely to offer complimentary or heavily discounted bike rentals to encourage guests to alleviate their carbon footprints. Many guests overlook this perk if they plan on renting a car, but it will greatly reduce the cost of your trip if you don’t have to pay for a car rental or parking. Particularly at hotels in urban areas, bike rentals are becoming more and more popular, so be sure to inquire and reserve in advance if you plan to try it out. 

Complimentary Beverages

Complimentary breakfast isn’t usually guaranteed, but oftentimes, your overnight hotel stay will certainly be accompanied by free coffee or tea. If there isn’t a coffee maker or espresso machine in your room, ask the concierge upon check-in if there are any complimentary beverage services available. Often, hotels will provide fresh-brewed coffee in the lobby each morning. Other times, hotel bars and restaurants offer exclusive happy hour deals or drink discounts to guests. In particular, Kimpton Hotels are known for hosting free wine hours for guests each evening. 

Amenity Kits

The little things go a long way, especially if you’ve left something at home. Oftentimes, front desk staff will be happy to provide complimentary items such as ear plugs, a sleep mask, a toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, lotion, and even socks free of charge. 

Pillow Menus

There’s nothing worse than not sleeping well on vacation. Some people will get stiff necks from an overly fluffy pillow, while some people will find it hard to sleep without one. Whether you’re a stomach, side, or back sleeper, there’s an ideal pillow for you. Fortunately, many hotels — particularly luxury hotels — are now offering a “pillow menu” to ensure you get the best rest. Guests can choose from a range of pillows, including feather or down pillows and memory foam pillows.

Laundry Service

If you have an unfortunate spill or have been on the road for a while and need to wash the essentials, you can often utilize laundry services right at your hotel. For a small fee, guests can often send out clothing for the hotel staff to clean, or they can use the property’s washers and dryers themselves to ensure they stay feeling fresh.

Access to Streaming Platforms

Forget flipping the channels on cable — many hotels now offer smart TVs with access to popular streaming platforms. Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video may be available to access using your own personal login, or the property may have its own guest account. Just don’t forget to log out of your profile when you check out. 

Shuttles and Rideshare Offers

Need a ride to and from the airport? Don’t forget to check with your hotel before you reserve a rideshare or try to figure out public transportation. Many properties offer complimentary shuttle service so that their guests can easily travel with luggage to and from their accommodation. Some properties may not advertise this service, but it’s always best to ask — especially if your hotel is close to an airport. Some large hotel groups, including Marriott, have also partnered with ridesharing services so that members of their loyalty program can earn bonus points on rides.

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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. 

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