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Why You Should Consider These Important Mistakes To Avoid When You Travel
When planning a trip you think of everything you need to get done. Packing, documents to take along, luggage, scheduling and planning. You know the routine. Have you ever stopped to think about the important mistakes to avoid when you travel? Probably not.
Worst of all, some of these are easy to miss.
If you are a frequent flyer, then you know where I am going with this. Or maybe not.
Don’t fall victim to your own mistakes.
5 Important Mistakes To Avoid When You Travel
1. Do Not Post A Picture Of Your Boarding Pass On Social Media
Excitement! The day has finally arrived.
Heading off on a well-deserved holiday, luggage packed, about to head to the Airport.
Boarding pass printed, and you are eager to share your next adventure with friends and family!
Before you head out, you decide to post a picture of your boarding pass on Facebook. Great!
Yay, no traffic, you arrive at the Airport and you are the second person in line at the check-in counter.
Could this day be any more perfect? Well, things are about to change.
The lady at the counter informs you that you are no longer booked on the flight. Your booking was cancelled an hour ago.
Wait what? Impossible. I never cancelled my booking. Ah….yes, YOU didn’t but someone else did!
And it’s all your fault. Ouch!
You haven’t left the city, let alone the country and already you have made one of the important mistakes to avoid when you travel.
You see when you take a picture of your Boarding pass and post it on Social Media for the world to see, what happens? The world sees it. Someone who thinks they are funny (or is just an A-hole) now has the following information: your first and last name, booking reference number, e-ticket number, flight time, airline information.
All this person needs to do is go to the airline’s website, fill in your last name and booking reference number, and cancel your flight! Yep – it’s that easy!
If you are a constant email checker, you will be alerted to the cancellation confirmation email immediately.
Shock, shock, horror! (Insert tears, frustration, and anger here).
Ask yourself, is the hassle of booking a new ticket, forking out money while going through customer service calls and emails for 6 – 12 weeks really worth it?
Would having to forfeit a refund due to lack of judgement be worth the picture you posted on Facebook?
No – I don’t think so.
2. Do Not Pack Essential Documents Or Medication In Checked Baggage
Luggage gets lost.
I always wonder at Airports when I see people complaining, arguing, crying about losing their important documents and medication.
All these items were packed into the checked baggage and now misplaced. Your suitcase is headed on a flight from Europe to Antarctica!
Piece of advice? Keep all originals documents on you – make copies of all your documents before leaving home. Copies can stay in your checked baggage.
You might want to read a post I wrote on effective and blissful travel which focuses on how to really enjoy yourself and relax when you are on vacation.
Medication – I don’t have to explain why this is a bad idea do I?
3. Do Not Joke About Bombs Or About Smuggled Items
Now, you might think of this as silly or insignificant, but you really do not want to make even the smallest joke about bombs or smuggled items. Don’t tell stories about stuff you have heard or been reading on the news.
Neither at the Airport nor on the plane. No matter how innocent you are, comments like these could get you into some serious trouble.
And whatever you do, don’t tweet about it!
If I had to choose any of the five important mistakes to avoid when you travel, I would say this is one to avoid at all costs. You could land into some serious s#@t by ignoring this one.
Did you hear the story about the two British friends headed to the United States on holiday? One of them tweeted “’I’m going to destroy America and dig up Marilyn Monroe?”
‘Destroy’ – British slang for partying. The part with Marilyn – a joke.
Federal agents didn’t find it so funny.
After being arrested upon arrival, locked in a cell with drug dealers they were deported back to England.
Here you can read their story in detail. You have been warned. 🙂
4. Do Not Carry Large Amounts Of Money On You
Self-explanatory. No one wants to lose cash on holiday after spending enough to be able to go on a trip.
Minimize the amount of cash you take with you. When going out on day trips try not to take ALL your money with you. Lock it up in the hotel safe.
Take a little more than what you may need for the day (in case of an emergency).
Just don’t carry it all with you.
5. Do Not Exchange Money At The Airport
You could end up losing out on a significant amount of cash if you exchange Euros or Dollars at the airport.
The Airport charges have high fees, so find out if your bank has an international branch and machines, or partner with an institution in the country you are visiting.
Plastic will be your best option depending on where you are going on holiday.
And There You Have It – My top five tips for important mistakes to avoid when you travel
Sure, there are always other things to consider too.
Keep these in mind and save yourself both headache and heartache.
Can you think of other important mistakes to avoid that will help others?
I would love to hear them and grow this list!
Share them with me in the comments section below.
94 comments
Very useful! Couldn’t agree more.
All incredibly helpful tips! My friend is doing a lot of travelling so i’m going to send this to her. The idea to even think about joking about bombs and stuff? completely ridiculous!
These are great tips – I am so careful with these things when travelling, especially with boarding pass and medication
I never post where i am going till the time i arrive, the point about boarding pass is super helpful.
These tips seem so obvious but they’re the kind of thing I still forget!!! So thank you! I always divide my travel cash into four, then place the money in different locations in my suitcase/hotel room/wallet/coat pocket. Then in case I lose some or fall victim to theft then I still have reserves.
I think of those five I seem to make one mistake constantly and thats exchanging money at the airport. Mostly because my travels are spontaneous so no choice but to change there and other times I change just a small amount for essentials.
The first one is quite a shocker – there are some pretty sad individuals out there if they are cancelling people’s flights from their boarding pass pictures. Posting pics on line is also a great way of alerting thieves that your place might be free to ransack too.
When I booked one of my first holidays when I was younger, I uploaded my boarding pass to Facebook without even thinking. Luckily, my mum explained why I shouldn’t have done it, and so I took it down straight away.
Amazing advice, once I get enough money to start travelling I shall take you up on your amazing advice.
Excellent advice here Sheri! I have been guilty of sharing a boarding pass snap in the past but I always make sure that the important information is covered – can’t be too careful! Agreed on not changing currencies at the airport either, it can cost a bomb!
Abbey ❤️
Great advise, some of this tips sound soooo OBVIOUS but some people will still do it lol
Lol! Someone would actually be that a-hole to cancel the flight! We are living in a crazy world! As a big traveler myself I really think that your tips are greats because I followed by those rules myself!
These are some great tips! Some of them I already practice but a couple I hadn’t thought of! Thanks for the tips!
[…] One thing they don’t have is an Airport! What? Yup, tricky when trying to make travel plans! […]
Ah the last one is familiar….I made this mistake at least twice last year….cost me too much money.
x
It still amazes me that people can be so stupid sometimes. Who would really joke about a bomb!?!?!? If you do, you deserve a night in the cells in my opinion. Likewise, it still shocks me how many people change up their money at the airport rather than taking a step outside and probably getting a better deal.
Excellent tips for newbie and even experienced travellers. I actually did not know that number 1 really happens. Well not in my country that i know. But glad to know it. It can be costly and annoying especially if you booked a cheap fare. Glad that i do not broadcast to the world my personal details.
Great tips! Although sometimes you can’t avoid the last one! I’m traveling through countries where the currency is closed so you have to change money at the airport. And I wish I have brought more cash with me as every time i use the cash machine I have to pay a $8 fee. Total nightmare!
OMG Claire – 8 dollars is a lot for every time you use the cash machine! Good heavens! I understand having to do so and not wanting to travel with too much cash,. It;s a no-win situation.
I know! It’s a total nightmare.
Lots of great advice and all are common sense knowledge that people tend to simply ignore or make the mistake of making. Why would anybody post their boarding pass and putting their important documents into checked luggage is beyond me. Those are always supposed to stay with your carry on. The others like exchanging money and losing money hasn’t happened to me yet but I’ve known people who did. And yes, don’t make jokes while in the airport or in the plane, they do include these in the movies sometimes, I don’t know why some people still thinks it’s funny.
Luggage gets lost for sure, the Bomb jokes might sound like a fun idea for some people, bet they will regret it later on , great tips, safety first
Really great tips here! Part of why i travel carryon-only as much as possible is because i want to ensure all of my belongings arrive with me at my destination (tip, you can always check your carryon luggage at the gate for free if you don’t want to store it in the overhead)
I need to hold my hands up! I am totally guilty of posting my boarding pass and/or email confirmation on social media. It never occurred to me that someone could or WOULD cancel my flight… I guess it only needs to happen to you once. Advice duely heeded! Thanks
Those are great tips! And totally agreed of the last one ! I remember one time I left exchanging money last minute and when I had no choice but do it at the airport I lost about 60% of what I had
These tips are great! I never even thought of the risks when taking pictures of your boarding pass but it is so true!
It always blows my mind when I see someone post a picture of personal documents like Passports, tickets, or their kids first drivers license online. I don’t think some people understand how far their posts may reach. Great tips!
Great tips shared! I also try not to exchange money at the airport due to high charging fees. Plastic money is savior!
My recent mistake was exchanging money at the airport. I had to because I needed to take a taxi. I will not do this next time. It was not a smart choice but I just wanted to go to the hotel and sleep. Hopefully, I will be able to find another way next time.
Amazing article and very very good tips! I agree with all points. No changing money on the airports is my personal experience, so never do that! Haha 😀
Ally,
I always pack my medication twice: one goes in the hand luggage, the other one in my checked in bags. The chance I’ll lose both is pretty small, but if I get robbed on my way out of the airport, or if my luggage gets lost, I will have a backup 🙂
great tips i could have used these the first time i ever travelled by plane, noone explained things to me and i was so panicked luckily had my family with me so that helped a lot 🙂
These are so important things to avoid! Especially when that innocent little joke can get you in so much trouble or that amount of fees you must pay if you’re changing money at the airport.
Excellent tips and they all make so much sense. I would add bringing a chance of clothes (something light) in the cabin bag as well.
Oh don’t joke about bomb SPECIFICALLY in the US, that ain’t no joke! Somebody tweeted in the UK Let’s have a bomb or something for their trip to the US and they got rejected to enter the country once on arrival!
Yes Thumyi, I mentioned exactly that case in the post with the link to the article LOL.
excitement*
Great tips! The boarding pass is an excellent one. Although I’ve never done it, I certainly would get lost in the excitedment!
Number 2!! I don’t understand how people do not understand this yet. It’s like Common sense folks. God forbid an emergency happens. My rule is, if I can’t survive without it, it goes in my carry on that’s WITH me and not in the overhead storage.
Great tips!!!!! Im all about bringing a change of clothes with me
I post a picture of my boarding pass, but I do it once I am sitting in the bar in departures and all checked in!
LOL, that’s funny, but still risky as it can be used to cancel your return flight 🙂
Very good tips and mistakes to avoid when traveling. Thank you for sharing.
I thought the first one was a very obvious DON’T DO. But, I’ve seen people post this boarding pass all the time! Crazy!
Great points! Some of these seem like common sense but would be so easy to slip up on if you’re not a seasoned traveler!
Sherri these are great tips. I’ve always heard to take a change of clothes in your carry on now too. I’m surprised by what people post on social media.
The passport one is definitely a rookie mistake and I know for a fact that, that can get into serious troubles. Luckily, my travel partner(my hubby) is a tenacious guy and we never do these mistakes. Great post.
So I have a note 4 and it picked when I went on vacation to new Orleans to stop working .
I should have taken a extra brick for charging I ordered a electronic buss pass and couldn’t even get on the bus much less order a Uber if my best friend hadn’t shown up I have no clue what I would have done lol
Ah! Number one gave me shivers – I would be so devastated! These are great tips! I’ll be remembering them next time I go away – which hopefully isn’t too long away
Good ideas and tips because even I know that taking a picture of your passport would be a good idea to take and post on social media. I however always did carry a lot of money on me but I hide it well and keep it with me 24/7.
Some really good tips and ideas here will keep some of theres for when we next travel! Thanks for the great post.
These are all such valuable tips! Double check your bookings! Especially dates if you are booking multiple tickets. I can’t tell you how many times my husband has booked himself on a different day.
These tips are great and very helpful to any traveler. Keeping your boarding pass and other documents and medications safe is very important!
My friend was traveling to London and during her immigration at Dubai, she found that someone had torn her visa page and other pages from her passport. Therefore it is very important to carry your passport safely throughout the trip. One should not even leave passport at hotel’s room locker!
Lots of great tips, ones we can easily forget. Thank you 🙂
We travel all the time and these are great tips. It’s amazing more people don’t know this stuff.
From my extensive experience in getting my luggage lost by the company, I try to only travel with a carry on. I’ve found that it is easier that way. Also, another mistake most people do is overpacking. Most people go for a week and pack for a month, finally using one third of everything they brought. In any case, useful post!
Great, great, great tips, Sheri! Some friends really posted their boarding passes online, and some even post their passport’s sensitive information! It’s crazy!
Thank you for this!
Great tips! For oyr family’s safety, we also don’t share our travel plans with anyone except for family members.
These are some great tips. In regards to not carrying lots of cash or getting ripped of with exchange booths, I would suggest the BOA Travel Rewards credit card. There are no international fees and rewards points!
Great practical tips for travelling. I also think its important to carry your valuables on you rather than putting them in the hold as this way you know where they are and they won’t go walk abouts. Also people should think about the type of handbag they use – it should do up!
Great tips. Specially the one about money exchange, airports can charge so much in fees, it’s unbelievable how much you end up loosing.
Hey Sheri,
I agree with you that one needn’t over-share on social media (actually, I agree with the whole post). Which is why, when I am travelling I do not make updates real-time.
This a great article!
Oversharing is not a good thing .. I tend to post about my trips after I am back. I don’t need people to know I am away from home or where I am.
I’d never even thought about someone changing your boarding pass info. Good tip to remember. You never know who’d have fun being so mean! I’d also add to pack as light as you can. Nothing ruins a trip faster than dragging too much stuff around!
All are important tips and especially the one, about not joking about bombs, in these days and times, one needs to be careful about what one speaks and jokes about, otherwise a holiday can get messed up.
This is such a good read specially to someone like me who is considering to travel for the first time. Do you think fees from credit cards is a cheaper alternative to exchanging money at the airport? Just curious.
just discover this site from somewhere. great sharing story & experiences. i will recommend this site to my friends out there.
I used to always change my money at the airport until I realised that was a mistake. Thanks for pointing that out 🙂
Good tips! I’m guilty of posting a picture of my boarding pass on Instagram but with most of the information hidden by something else so I was probably okay!
Hi Anne-Sophie, So far as you remember to hide the information, you are fine. LOL
Point 1- I had no idea that it is possible! Omg, I don’t wanna have such surprise! Great informative post. I often travel only with my hand luggage only so I pack my documents into plastic bags.
I agree with all of those. It’s kind of important when you’re travelling not to joke about security. I’m so used now to get through the security checkpoints that I know it ain’t jk. Besides, changing money at the airport is one of the biggest mistake I’ve made in the past, and I know now why! It’s really helpful! x
lol guess the first point is someone who Selfie disorder We have seen people posting selfies with their boarding passes and cant agree more on medication and not to exchange as airport. We had to exchange in airport couple of times due to emergency and we know they charge much more.
Great tips here! I like to post boarding passes but then blur out the ticket number and my last time and other info on the ticket to stay safe! Didn’t think people would actually go ahead and CANCEL your flight just to be a d”ck! That is crazy!
There really are some people out there who do crazy things. Some to be spiteful and some just to be silly. So far as you are blurring out the important information you are fine.
Everyone still posts photos of their flight tickets though even after whispers of why it’s a bad idea flew around the Internet. I don’t think I’ve ever done it, but I definitely won’t now!
Great tips! Joking at the security is not a good idea but tweeting about it even worse! Haha. How sad he got arrested but it’s not smart to tweet like that. Anyways, I never carry money around, I prefer my cards 🙂
I agree, especially the first mentioned. Travelers shouldn’t be too excited to the extent posting your tickets online. Yeah sometimes we can’t help but to brag, but do it moderately.
These are such practical suggestions. I have seen so many people get all excited about their vacation & post boarding pass pictures, duh! Also, the con that goes on at airports with money exchange- painful is the word! Thanks for putting this guide of sorts together for new travelers.
These are excellent tips and it is so good to remind people to be sensible at all times, especially in airports: the most seemingly innocent thing, like posting the photo of the boarding card or a joke, as you say, can make you waste time (or put you into real trouble) but it’s easy to forget it in the excitement of the journey
I agree with you 100% Marta.
These are definitely top 5 rookie mistakes. Hopefully people use common sense to avoid ruining their own travel plans.
Good advice, it’s just unbelievable that anyone would post a picture of their boarding pass!
Great advice. I never thought that someone would take a pic of a boarding pass and cancel the ticket. That’s crazy
This is all good advice! The airport currency exchange places are the worst! Although I did experience a decent one in the Tokyo airport–and they gave me free origami! I would add not to put your personal information so it’s immediately visible on the outside of your luggage. I did that once and I got stalked by a creepy guy who took my phone number off my bag while I was at JFK!
Yes, that is a good one to add….and thinking a bit further, is it really wise to put the address on luggage? I mean is this not a way of saying “I am away on vacation, this is my address, go break into my house?” for creeps like the one who took your number?
This was both informative and engaging, really enjoyed reading through this and the stories associated to these things. Incredible what people can do! I will take note to never post a picture of my passport that’s awful. However I am guilty of using the exchange machines at the airport. The last time that I went to the bank, things didn’t go smoothly so I gave up. I have recently found a shop that does good exchange ratio here though.
Here I was expecting another post like ‘pack an apple because plane food contains salt etc..’ but gosh! This was immensely relevant with tips I have never even considered (ie. boarding pass on social media)
When I recently travelled to Portugal my luggage was completely destroyed; luckily I had my documents and prescription medication; it goes to show anything can happen to anybody! Thank you so much for such an interesting but also useful post! 🙂
Been there, done most of it. I have learnt from my lessons. You have covered really important things, esp, converting money on airport. a big loss!
I agree with everything you’ve listed. I remember our trip to Singapore. SOme of our companions had their money changed at the airport so when we went to Mustafa, they regret doing so because the exchnage rate at Mustafa is a lot friendlier. And big check on the medication.
I totally agree with all your points except for the last one, “Do Not Exchange Money At The Airport.” I also thought that way too before.
When traveling to a non-English speaking country without a tour guide, it’s better off exchanging at the airport to avoid possible scams. When we went to Japan, we weren’t really scammed as it was accredited by the government. However, we lost more money since we didn’t exchange money at the airport. I guess it really depends on the country you’re visiting.
I agree with all of these. I remember one time, my friend and I were talking about security issues and somehow our topics turned to bombs. We shut up the instant we realized it. In Philippine airports jokes and other discussions about these things are taken very seriously.
This year I’ve just started flying more so this will be helpful. Makes so much sense. Especially number one, can’t imagine that happening. Must be awful.