The first thing we have to say to ourselves in the mirror is that: we may be paying more when we organize a trip, and especially when we are on our way.
For this reason, veteran travelers and industry experts have wanted to warn us about certain hidden fees that we must take into account the next time we leave the nest, looking for an appetizing vacation.
According to an article published by Reader's Digest , travel expert and blogger Elizabeth Blasi recommends taking an extra time to review the most popular reviews about tourist places, before clicking on the "book" button.
Blasi says that while many sites such as Expedia and Booking.com make it super simple to define an itinerary, many charge up to three times more than others that also offer the exact service.
"Read the comments on TripAdvisor or on Yelp, call the travel company directly and see what's included in your tour," he says. One should also compare the cost of renting a car if you want to travel to a place of interest, to determine if it is better to hire a driver for the entire day.
These are some common mistakes and times when it is very likely that we are paying more:
When we do not check the fine print of car rental contracts
Depending on where your passion for travel takes you, it is sometimes smarter to rent a car than to call an Uber or rely on public transportation. If you decide to try to drive, Ardene Emmelkamp, a travel consultant, urges travelers to read and re-read the fine print of their contract before signing.
"Sometimes, car companies will add insurance without their knowledge," he says. This unexpected charge can increase your travel expenses by hundreds of dollars. "
When we do not investigate the cost of the trip to and from the airport
Many people make the mistake of waiting to land to think about the transfer from the airport to the city, just as they do not make sure of the best route. "Most of the travel horror stories I hear are about taxis or transfers from the airport," says Michelle Weller, vice president of sales for Travel Leaders. Restore everything in advance: it's cheaper and safer. "
"If we go through a travel agent, we can include it in a bulk discount package and have the peace of mind that there is a responsible person in case something goes wrong," he says.
When we do not eat or prepare some food before leaving for the airport
While it's true that we can not carry more than 3.4 ounces in carry-on luggage, travel agent Jennifer McCormack reminds us that we can bring our own sandwiches. "The purchase of food and drinks at the airport can add up, especially when traveling with a family, and buying food on the plane can cost even more," he explains.
"Simple items like fruits and sandwiches are easy to pack and bring." As for water, bring a rechargeable bottle and fill it as soon as you have passed the security point.
When we spend too much on international cellular service
Unless we have an international plan with your telecommunications provider, we could end up spending more than budgeted when we are in another country.
Blasi explains that since the Internet is essential for traveling, many inexperienced travelers end up paying much more than they need to access Uber, Google Maps and, you know, Instagram. If it does not make sense to switch to a plan that provides global access, Blasi suggests buying a local SIM card at the airport.
"With a lot of data plan at very reasonable costs, it's easy to see why it's a preferred method. As a general rule, the kiosk furthest from Immigration and the one closest to the airport exit will have the cheapest SIM, and these companies pay less rent for their location, "he says.
When we do not verify enough the airline's rates
Thanks to growing curiosity and affordability with travel, more and more people travel like never before. This has made airlines more competitive than ever. Since ticket prices tend to go down, McCormack warns that many airlines are becoming smart with hidden fares.
"Many often charge for items that were once included, such as seat selection, carry-on luggage and printing boarding passes, in addition to checked bags. Some will even charge more if we pay at the airport than if we pay in advance, "he says.
That is why we must always make an extra effort to investigate with our miles provider before booking. "It is advisable to read the fine print to know exactly what the charges will be and whether or not we have to pay for any of your items."
When we do not know about the hidden rates in hotels
As in the airlines, the increase in tourism often amounts to fierce competition between tourist facilities. According to McCormack, although it is possible that we get a good price per night, once we get to the hotel the small print could surprise us.
"Check everything before committing to a fee. You may want to charge fees that make it more affordable elsewhere, "she recalls. "Even after checking the resort's rates, parking could have an additional cost once the tourist arrives." In case of doubt, call the hotel in advance to know the final cost before booking.
When we do not document the ATM fees in that destination
Even if we do the right thing and get cash before traveling, there is a possibility that we need more money once we are at the destination. Depending on which bank we operate with, we could be charged an additional fee at the exchange rate, which definitely adds up each time we make an extraction.
"Plan in advance the amount of cash you think you'll need for tips or unforeseen expenses, so that in the end you have not lost ten dollars or more for bank fees at ATMs," proposes McCormack.
When we think of eating near tourist attractions
It is possible that because of the change of schedules in our body, we are too hungry when we least imagine it. These last minute meals will also hurt our pocket. For Emmelkamp, planning our snacks and not doing it near tourist areas could save us a lot of money.
"Try to eat at least four blocks from the tourist place. Or better yet, ask the locals where they like to eat and head there, "he suggests.
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