Traveling by plane can be exciting and yet anxiety-inducing. There is so much to learn from the experiences encountered during a journey. A flight attendant who has worked at 30,000 feet for eight years revealed that she has witnessed various mistakes made by passengers, but what surprised her the most is how frequently passengers continue to make the same money-wasting errors while traveling.
“I see passengers wasting money on things that could easily be avoided with a little planning,” flight attendant Sarah M. told Gobankingrate. “If you understand the situation, you will find that many things can be resolved.”
Sarah interacts with hundreds of passengers every week, and according to Gobankingrate, she identified nine common money-wasting mistakes made by passengers during their travels.
One of the most common and costly mistakes is paying for checked baggage at the airport instead of prepaying online in advance.
“This mistake drives me crazy because it’s so easily avoidable,” Sarah said. “Passengers are taken aback during check-in, and their disappointment is evident on their faces.”
Most major airlines charge $35 to $40 for the first checked bag. However, prepaying online at least 24 hours before departure can typically save $5 to $15 per bag. For a family of four, not prepaying could mean an extra $20 to $60 for the same service.
“I always recommend passengers to check the airline’s website immediately after booking their ticket,” she said. “It will show the exact cost of baggage. (Plus, you could get a discount by prepaying!)”
“I’ve seen a traveler repack their suitcase at the check-in counter, throwing away toiletries and clothes because their luggage was too heavy to fit as carry-on,” Sarah said. “This situation is too common, and honestly, it’s heartbreaking to watch!”
Most major airlines have a weight limit of 50 pounds for checked baggage, while budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier have stricter limits, usually set at 40 pounds. Exceeding the limit can result in paying $100 to $200 in overweight fees, depending on the airline.
“I’ve seen passengers pay more for overweight baggage fees than the ticket itself,” she said. “A $10 luggage scale—bought at Five Below!—could prevent a $150 loss.”
Many travelers inadvertently drive up ticket prices during the search process.
“I’ve heard passengers tell me that the ticket price went up while they were hesitating to book,” Sarah said.
Although it’s commonly believed that websites increase prices based on repeated searches, it’s more likely due to actual ticket supply changes, not browser cookies.
“To avoid price fluctuations, try using incognito mode for searches or clear your browser cookies to eliminate these factors,” Sarah shared. “But be aware, airlines use dynamic pricing, so fluctuations are inevitable.”
Passengers often worry about overhead bin space when boarding, exposing another common mistake: misunderstanding the carry-on baggage policy.
“People bring oversized carry-ons or assume that Basic Economy fares include carry-on baggage, but that’s not always the case,” Sarah said.
If passengers flying Basic Economy bring oversize carry-ons to the boarding gate, some airlines may charge an additional $25 boarding fee. Other airlines may require passengers to check their carry-ons and pay the standard fee before boarding.
“Be sure to carefully check the baggage regulations for your ticket,” Sarah said. “A cheap ticket doesn’t necessarily include the cost of carry-on baggage.”
Sarah frequently hears about frequent flyers missing out on significant savings by not using the airline’s credit card. “The most expensive mistake I’ve seen is frequent flyers not having the right credit card,” she said.
Most airline credit cards offer one free checked bag per passenger, which can quickly offset the $95 to $150 annual fee. Checking one bag on three round trips per year can often cover the annual fee. Some airlines also offer free services like Clear for expedited security screening.
“If you travel often, this card can easily save you hundreds of dollars,” she said.
Sarah pointed out that passengers often assume that Economy Class is always cheaper and end up spending more.
“When demand is high, Economy Class prices skyrocket, and airlines sometimes discount First Class or Premium Economy to fill those seats,” she said. “I always share this little trick with my friends.”
From seat selection fees to Wi-Fi charges, travelers frequently encounter various additional fees during the booking process.
“I’ve seen passengers being misled by extra fees,” Sarah said. “They click on every extra fee, thinking it’s necessary, but it’s not.”
“Of course, you may not get an aisle or window seat, but it’s still a seat,” Sarah said. “If you want to save money, don’t consider those extra services that you don’t really need.”
Sarah mentioned that many passengers are misled by third-party booking sites and unaware that they still need to pay the fees set by the airline during check-in.
“Some people think booking on different websites means different fees, but baggage and service fees are usually set by the airline.”
However, third-party platforms often do not display the full breakdown of fees in advance, leading passengers to be shocked when paying at the airport.
Finally, Sarah expressed surprise at many frequent travelers not enrolling in frequent flyer programs.
“Even if you only fly a few times a year, loyalty programs can offer some extra benefits, such as free baggage, upgrades, or early boarding,” she said.
Many programs also allow travelers to earn miles while flying and shopping.