Air travel can be a stressful experience. Even before it’s time to depart for your trip, you have to navigate seemingly endless options and weigh competing factors as you select your flight itinerary.
But the booking process doesn’t have to be so overwhelming.
HuffPost reached out to travel advisers to ask about the common mistakes people make when booking their flights for vacation and why they try to avoid these errors.
Here are some helpful rules of thumb to make your decisions easier and your travel day run more smoothly.
They don’t choose an airline based solely on price.
“I always compare different airlines, not just for pricing but also for schedules, layovers and overall service quality,” said Ronit Margolis, a travel adviser with Fora. “Sometimes a slightly higher fare can save hours or provide a better experience.”
Additional research can go a long way, especially if you’re considering a less familiar airline in another country.
“Flying with low-cost carriers comes with certain risks,” noted Jonathan Alder, founder of Jonathan’s Travels. “They aren’t obligated to offer re-accommodation or refunds the way commercial airlines do, which is why they’re classified and ranked differently. Sticking with major carriers ensures a smoother travel experience, especially when things don’t go as planned. When you hear about travelers that have been stranded at an airport for a week, they are generally not on the mainstream carriers.”
Although major air carriers certainly face their share of headline-making hiccups, they’re generally a little better equipped to bounce back from unexpected delays and might offer a more comfortable experience.
“Oftentimes the lowest-priced flight will come with trade-offs like long layovers and inconvenient travel times,” noted Fora travel adviser Chirag Panchal. “It’s always smart to compare the pros and cons before deciding.”
They don’t book connecting flights ― especially not on separate airlines ― when there’s a nonstop option.
“I always try to book nonstop flights, even if more expensive,” said Ashley Lancer, a travel adviser with Valerie Wilson Travel. “It’s worth it.”
If she has to take a connection, she tries to choose a flight that is earlier in the day so that there are other connecting options in the event of a delay or other issue.
Lancer also tries to keep her connecting flights to one airline whenever possible.
“Never book an itinerary on two separate carriers unless you have to,” she urged. “Always book connecting flights on the same carrier.”
They don’t book tight connections.
“I make sure to avoid any flights with tight layovers, especially when it comes to certain airports where I know there can be a lot of walking ― or running ― from one terminal to another,” Panchal noted. “These days flight delays are far too common, and I would rather spend a few extra hours in an airport lounge than be stuck at an airport trying to figure out how to get on the next available flight out.”
The same goes for connections between planes and other modes of transportation, like your flight to the departure city for a special cruise or long-distance train journey. Building in some buffer time can make the travel experience more relaxing.
“I never book a layover for less than 90 minutes at a minimum on an international flight both into or out of the United States,” said Fora travel adviser Caroline Weilert. “Rather than assume everything will be on time, travel assuming everything will be one hour late. In doing so, [you] minimize stress and that internal conversation that inevitably happens ― ‘What am I going to do if I miss my flight?’”
They don’t travel with loved ones without linking reservations.
“Although I love using my earned miles to redeem flights, it’s often the case that I have to purchase at least one for others traveling with me,” Weilert said. “When I do this, I always call the airline and ask them to link the reservations.”
So when you book one party on a miles redemption ticket and then another with a full fare ticket, you’ll need to take steps to ensure the reservations are joined together. If you and your travel companion book your flights separately, you can also link them.
“Without linkage and in the event of a canceled or delayed flight, the airline has no visibility into who your travel companions are and this can result in parties split during the rebooking process,” Weilert explained.
Kareem George, founder of Culture Traveler, emphasized the importance of choosing seats next to each other ahead of time when possible. You can’t always assume a friendly fellow passenger will be willing to swap with you so that you can sit together.
“As a travel expert, I never forgo the opportunity to make advanced seat reservations, especially if I am traveling with someone,” he said.
They don’t choose seats before fully analyzing their options.
“I never choose seats without consulting a resource like SeatGuru,” Weilert said. “Exclusively relying on the seat maps provided by airlines is a rookie mistake. It’s vital to have another level of protection against non-reclining seats, reduced under seat space, and the nasty smells from the lavatories.”
In addition to drawbacks like lavatory smells and long lines, the back of the plane is not ideal when you have a connection that’s less than a couple of hours. Consider your individual needs for the flight to ensure you choose the right seat.
“If you’re thinking about booking that exit row seat for the extra legroom on your overnight flight, think again,” said Michael DeLucca, a travel agent and founder of Otsy. “Many exit row seats don’t recline, which can make it difficult to sleep and leave you more uncomfortable than a standard seat.”
They don’t repeatedly search for flights while logged into their browser.
“I never search for flight prices while logged into my browser or check them repeatedly in the same session,” DeLucca said.
He instead uses a virtual private network (VPN) or incognito browsing mode.
“A VPN masks your location and anonymizes your browsing activity,” DeLucca said. “This prevents airlines from tracking your search behavior, which they use to increase prices based on your activity. The additional benefit of a VPN is that it allows you to set your IP address to different regions, giving you access to market-specific promotional rates that can be significantly lower.”
They don’t book the cheapest fare class without checking the restrictions.
“Basic economy fares can be tempting, but they often come with significant restrictions ― like no carry-on luggage, no seat selection, and no flexibility to change plan,” said Brianna Glenn, CEO and travel adviser at Milk + Honey Travels. “I always check the fare class details, and avoid basic economy. You want to ensure you won’t face surprises at the airport that could disrupt the trip, or make for an inconvenient experience.”
Indeed, you might find that you hardly save any money at all by booking the lowest fare after having to pay extra fees for checked or carry-on bags or losing out on the cash you spent on your ticket when plans change.
“I never book basic economy,” Lancer said. “There are too many things that could go wrong. As soon as I [were] to purchase a nonrefundable and/or noncancelable ticket, that’s when I would need to cancel or change!”
They don’t overlook time zones and jet lag when choosing their outbound flight.
“Flight arrival times can significantly affect your overall experience in a new destination,” Glenn said. “I like to avoid flights that arrive late at night if the first day is important or if I’m prone to jet lag, and really early if I know that I won’t even be able to check in or freshen up at the hotel after a long flight.”
She recommended planning transit around the goal of minimizing fatigue and maximizing enjoyment at the destination from the start. That means considering time zones and jet lag.
“I avoid booking red-eye flights when traveling to a destination where I’ll need a hotel check-in,” DeLucca said. “Most hotels don’t have rooms ready until 2 p.m. or later, which means arriving on an early flight can leave you stranded and exhausted, especially after a sleepless night.”
Of course, overnight flights are often the only option, especially for international trips. But there are circumstances when you can avoid it.
“However, I do book red-eye flights for the return leg if I’m traveling home on a Friday night, as it allows me to have my full Saturday and Sunday with family,” DeLucca added. “I’m willing to take that risk because I’m heading home and can take an early nap if needed.”
They don’t forget to check nearby airport options.
“I would never limit myself to one airport but rather search nearby airports,” said Fora travel adviser Angela Marini. “Searching for nearby airports can give you access to better flight deals, more flexible travel options, and sometimes even shorter travel times. Many nearby airports may offer lower fares, different airlines or more convenient schedules, especially if you’re flying to a major city with multiple airports.”
So next time you’re traveling to Miami, consider checking the Fort Lauderdale options too. If you live in New Jersey, you might find better deals out of the Philadelphia airport for certain trips.
They don’t use online third party bookers.
“I would absolutely 100% never book a flight on an online travel agency like Expedia,” Marini said. “Should you have to make changes, cancel or speak to someone, it is nearly impossible. If the flight is canceled or delayed, you have no one to help you.”
Using a third party booker often means less flexibility. If something goes wrong with your flight, the airline’s customer service might not be able to help you and will likely direct you to the company you booked with and its potentially limited resources.
“The best way to book airfare is directly on the airline’s website or via a professional travel agency air desk that has a dedicated team who can provide air support,” Panchal added.