7 travel blunders to avoid on your next journey

It may feel like everyone is traveling these days, and you're not mistaken.

AAA reports that 1 million more people traveled during Memorial Day weekend this year compared to 2019.

"This not only shows we're surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, but also signals a busy summer travel season ahead," stated Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel.

AAA forecasts that this will be one of the busiest travel seasons in the past 20 years.

Unfortunately, if history tells us anything, high travel demand often leads to a range of issues — from staffing shortages to long waits — making travel anything but stress-free. While travel can be unpredictable, we can guide you in avoiding some of the most common frustrations.

Here are seven travel missteps to steer clear of during your next trip, along with tips on how to handle them.

Thinking that all travel plans are finalized

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many travel bookings were simple and straightforward. Once you received your flight, accommodation, tour, or other booking confirmation email, you were generally all set.

However, the pandemic has drastically altered this approach.

Normally, airline schedule adjustments might move you to a more convenient flight or route. But when these changes happen too close to your departure, you could find yourself in a difficult situation.

In recent years, many airlines have announced network changes. These flight changes can now take effect within days of the announcement, leaving little time for passengers to adjust. If you have to purchase last-minute tickets from a different airline, this could add an unexpected and costly expense.

How to avoid these issues

• Log in to check your flight bookings (and hotel or vacation rental reservations) at least once a week to identify and address any potential disruptions as early as possible.
• If you're booking a vacation rental, consider securing a refundable hotel reservation as a backup. Be sure to set a reminder to cancel the booking before the cancellation cutoff.
• Avoid relying only on third-party websites for reservation details. If you used an online travel agency, confirm the status of your reservations directly with the airline or accommodation provider.

Expecting smooth sailing

With the surge in summer travel demand, long lines and wait times at airports (and hotels) nationwide are growing even longer.

Fortunately, there are still many ways to minimize your time spent at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, and we have tips to help you check into your hotel faster as well.

How to avoid these issues

• Allow extra time at the airport, especially if you're checking in luggage. If possible, consider traveling with just a carry-on.
• If you're only traveling with a carry-on, take advantage of online check-in to bypass the counter and head straight to security.
• Apply for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear for faster security clearance, and use a credit card that reimburses the enrollment fees.
• Use hotel apps to check in, as many hotel chains offer digital keys, letting you skip the front desk.
• If you have elite hotel status, seek out the elite check-in line — it's often much shorter. You might even have elite status through a credit card you already own.

Packing everything into your checked luggage

Even in the best travel conditions, there’s always a chance of delays or flight cancellations.

When delays are caused by issues within the airline's control — such as aircraft maintenance — they often provide food and/or hotel vouchers. However, if delays are due to factors like weather conditions or air traffic control problems, airlines are not required to offer compensation. The worst situation is being stranded overnight in an airline's hub city (often at your own expense) without your personal belongings.

It's still entirely possible that everything will go according to plan. You might have plenty of time to make your connection, your luggage may arrive promptly, and you won't need to use the airline’s checked-bag guarantee. But that’s not always the case.

How to avoid these issues

• Pack a spare set of clothes, along with essential items like prescriptions, glasses or contacts, chargers, and a toothbrush in your carry-on bag.
• If you’re stuck overnight, keep all receipts for meals and other necessities, as you might need them for reimbursement from your airline or credit card company.
• Book your flights with a credit card offering trip protection for delays, unexpected overnights, and cancellations. For instance, if your flight is delayed by more than six hours, both the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer up to $500 in trip delay reimbursement per eligible trip.*

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Failing to plan ahead for your rental car

Although the rental car shortages that plagued recent years seem to have eased, it's still wise to start the booking process early.

The high demand can still drive rental prices up, and some car shortages persist. During peak season, certain popular destinations may have no cars available at all.

Even if you manage to book a reasonably priced rental, you may face some challenges at the pickup counter, like long lines at the airport. Additionally, if you leave booking too late, the car you get might be older with more mileage than you'd prefer, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Ways to avoid these problems

• Reserve your rental car in advance — ideally before booking your flights and accommodations — to secure a good price and availability.
• Input your rental details into AutoSlash, which will continuously search for better prices on your behalf.
• Sign up for the car rental company's loyalty program and check if your credit card offers elite status. This can guarantee a car will be ready for you and may even let you skip the line.
• If traditional options don't work, try a car-sharing service like Turo, look into off-airport rental spots, or check out local dealerships, as some offer loaner cars for rent to the public. Uber and Lyft also offer car rentals.

Depending on ride-sharing services

If you're looking to avoid the hassle of renting a car or dealing with parking fees, you might opt for ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft.

Unfortunately, you can't always count on ride-hailing services. There may be times when no cars are available nearby, or you'll face long wait times or the dreaded "surge pricing"—when fares can skyrocket during peak times like rush hour.

How to avoid these issues

• Use Uber Reserve to pre-schedule your airport pickups and drop-offs.
• Consider renting a car — while it may be pricier, it guarantees you’ll have transportation when you need it.
• Opt for traditional taxis, which are often cheaper and quicker to find. (Check for the taxi queue at airports or hotels.)
• Make use of public transport whenever possible.
• If you need guaranteed transportation at a set time, consider splurging on premium car services like Blacklane.

Failing to make reservations for everything — even at national parks

Gone are the days when you could simply roll out of bed, jump in your car, and head to a nearby national park on a whim.

The most popular national parks — such as Glacier, Yosemite, Mount Rainier, and Arches — now require advance reservations during peak seasons. To access their most iconic hikes, you may even need to apply for permits or enter a lottery. For parks that don’t require reservations, you may still face capacity limits, so be prepared for an early wake-up call to guarantee entry.

How to avoid these issues

• Plan your entire trip in advance, especially if you're visiting a theme park or national park.
• Keep an eye on the national park’s website for updates on permits, park conditions, and road closures.

Thinking that everything will inevitably go wrong

The last mistake you want to make is actually the complete opposite of everything mentioned above.

Don't assume that everything will inevitably go wrong if you decide to travel this summer. Sure, plenty can go wrong, but for every horror story of last-minute canceled flights, rental car shortages, and $27 beers at the airport, there’s another (likely not talked about) story where everything goes smoothly and people have a fantastic time on their vacation.

The takeaway

It’s still possible to have a relatively smooth travel experience, despite all the things that could go wrong. If you prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and expect something in between, you’ll likely come out just fine.