Eight booking mistakes that could drive up the cost of a holiday

Holidaymakers could be paying more than they need to for flights due to avoidable errors when booking, according to travel experts.

Experts from airline price comparison website FlightsFinder.com have highlighted the most common booking mistakes ahead of the winter and January booking rush.

While many travellers wait for a ‘magic’ day or time of night to book, research suggests the bigger savings often come from when you choose to fly, how far ahead you book and what is included in the price.

Google Flights data suggests the day of the week you book makes little difference, with the cheapest booking day saving only around 1.4% compared with the most expensive. By contrast, flying Monday to Wednesday can be around 13% cheaper than travelling at the weekend.

Shahab Siddiqui, CEO and founder of FlightsFinder.com, said: “Lots of people think there’s a secret time to book, like midnight or a particular day of the week, but the evidence suggests it makes very little difference. What really adds to the bill is leaving it too late, flying on the busiest days, or not checking what’s included in the headline price.

“Taking a few minutes to compare your options and think about timing can help holidaymakers avoid any hidden or unnecessary costs.”

Eight mistakes that could make your flight booking (and holiday) more expensive:

1. Chasing the ‘magic’ booking time Waiting for a particular day or time of night to book can backfire. Large-scale fare studies have found only small differences by booking day or hour, so if you spot a fare you’re happy with, it may not pay to wait for a ‘better’ moment.

2. Booking too early or too late Last-minute fares tend to climb, but snapping up flights the moment they’re released isn’t always cheapest either. As a guide, the best window for short-haul flights is generally one to three months before departure, with long-haul usually two to six months ahead.

3. Flying on the busiest days Fridays, Sundays and school-holiday weekends are typically the most expensive days to travel. If you can fly midweek, you could pay noticeably less for the same route.

4. Not comparing the full price The cheapest fare on one site or airline isn’t always the cheapest overall. Use a comparison site such as FlightsFinder.com to compare several booking sites and check nearby airports and flexible dates, as a small change can make a big difference.

5. Ignoring baggage, seat and other extras A low headline fare can rise quickly once baggage, seat selection and other add-ons are included. Check what’s covered before you commit and factor in the extras you’ll actually need.

6. Paying the wrong way Paying in a foreign currency or using a card that charges overseas transaction fees can add to the final cost. Check the currency and card charges before you pay.

7. Making mistakes on passenger details A misspelt name or wrong passport detail can be costly to correct, and some airlines charge a fee or require a new ticket. Double-check every detail against your passport before you confirm.

8. Leaving the rest of the holiday until the last minute Airport parking, transfers and travel insurance can all cost more when left late. Booking them alongside your flights can help you keep the overall cost of the trip down.