Whether it’s your first-ever trip or you are a nomadic traveller, travelling is all about exploring the unknown and encountering a few hiccups. The first thing that attracts an individual to travelling is the freebies or discounts.

 It is because of this; every traveller tries to leverage the best discounts and hacks for comfortable travel. While some travelling hacks may help you improve your travelling experience, some may ruin it. Several travel hacking mistakes you make may impact the entire thing.

The blog lists some travel hacks and mistakes you must avoid engaging in. It will help you avoid the consequences later.

Which travel hacks you must skip at all costs? 

If you have been planning a trip lately, avoid these travel hacks mistakes.  One of the most common ones is- Signing up for a random travel credit card. It may not fulfil the motive. You must get one according to the place you want to visit and the accommodation. Does the travel card help you get there? If not, then your choice may be wrong. Here are other travel hacks and mistakes to avoid:

1)      Leveraging the wrong signing bonus

Apart from using the travel card for the right purpose, you must check whether the signing bonus helps you. Usually, it is better to use the signing bonus within the promotional period. It is because, after that you must clear the dues. Read through the fine print before leveraging the card for your next trip.

Check the signing bonus amount and the validity to leverage it. Additionally, check the hidden terms ( if any) before applying. Signing bonuses do not remain the same every time; they change. Thus, analyse terms every time you use it. It will help you get the expected value.

2)      Re-booking a ticket for a lower price 

To get the lower fare, most individuals explore the best tricks. One of the common tricks is to re-book the ticket after cancelling one.  Moreover, most airline booking companies do not charge a re-booking fee. Check whether you can re-book the flight at a lower price and whether the company charges a re-booking fee. If not, it will be the right way to book the tickets.

The biggest mistake one makes apart from ignoring the re-booking fee is ignoring the dates of the newly booked tickets. What if you accidentally book a ticket for the wrong date?

It happens because you may not get one for the desired date when you re-book a ticket. Thus, you must check the price and date before booking. Moreover, do not cancel the first ticket before re-booking the ticket for the correct date.

3)      Not having an overseas spending card

Most banks and credit card companies charge extra for the purchases you make in a new country. Due to a poor exchange rate, you may find yourself at the nose of it. Here, do not forget to get an overseas spending card before leaving.

Moreover, some banks require you to apply for such cards weeks before travelling. You must pre-empt your travel and contact a financial advisor before the journey. One drawback of the surcharge-free card is that it will credit-test you. Individuals with a poor credit history may not qualify and thus must stick with the chargeable card.

4)      Not utilising mile points

Some individuals hoard miles points instead of utilising them. It is the biggest travelling mistake one makes.

Some individuals miss that because they don’t know how to leverage it. Others wait for the right moment, and the miles points expire. Do not keep on waiting until the card expires. Moreover, one finds it hard to use even before 2 months of expiry. You must avoid making this travel hack mistake.

Points you get must not get wasted. It should be your prime motive. Once you get one, plan the next trip quickly to benefit from the same. They are a doorway to affordable flight bookings, accommodation and free food. Wouldn’t it be best to save some on your next flight? Thus, stop hoarding and start utilising the points. Once you do so, you will not regret it.

5)      Missing the transferrable points

As the name suggests, transferrable points are nothing but points you can use and transfer for great and valuable travel. Most people avoid this and instead prefer cash back in exchange. Cashback does not provide the best value as much as these points. 

You can use the points in place of cash in many areas. However, not all travel points are transferable. Identify whether you can utilise them to book flights or accommodation before the trip. Otherwise, it may go to waste.

6)      Not paying your credit card bill

It is one of the most neglected travelling mistakes to make. While many individuals do not relate credit card pending payments with travel, it definitely has a relation. If you often skip payments on credit cards timely, it may prove troublesome for you later. Not paying enough on credit cards invites penalties and other charges that may impact your travel plans.

 If you took up something on credit for travel, it may get costly for you. Moreover, your points will no longer be free if you pay only interest. Thus, it may go to waste. It is one of the most common travelling mistakes, and you must avoid it.

Likewise, if you lack a credit card but want to book tickets quickly, identify savings. If it is quite below the expectations, facilities like no guarantor loans for bad credit from a direct lender might help.

The right lender may help you get a loan without a guarantor despite a bad credit history. If you fear rejection, this may be an ideal way to finance the ticket booking. It is because it prioritises affordability as the prime criterion and if you have a consistent income; you get one. Thus, you no longer need to delay the travel plans due to insufficient funds. You can finance the needful anytime and swiftly with these loans.

7)      Not utilising airport lounges

However most individuals may not know this, but you can utilise airport lounges to bag free drinks and snacks on your travel card.  Most people skip or miss the facility due to unawareness. What could be better than having unlimited access to the lounge and grabbing the things of your choice?

Yes, everything that you want to consume comes without a cost there. It is the best feeling to pay nothing for your favourite snacks and drinks. Thus, analyse whether your travel card provides access to the lounge for free. If yes, you must leverage it. You will love that!

Bottom line

Travel hacking may be the most exciting part of the journey. However, not leveraging it right may prove costly and cumbersome. The above tips may help you plan a smooth trip by utilising the potential part for the maximum benefit. After all, nothing is more relieving than saving money on flight bookings, accommodation, and food. Identify which among the above fits your needs and plan the best escape accordingly.

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