After eight years working the aisles at 30,000 feet, flight attendant Sarah M. has seen it all. But if there’s one thing that still surprises her, it’s how often passengers make the same costly travel mistakes.
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“I watch travelers throw away money on things that could’ve been easily avoided with just the teensiest bit of planning,” Sarah said. “Airlines want you to be a little confused, but there are a handful of things you can game if you understand what’s going on.”
As someone who interacts with hundreds of travelers every week, Sarah has identified clear patterns in the financial missteps that hit passengers hardest.
The Baggage Fee Blind Spot
The most frequent and expensive mistake? Paying checked baggage fees at the airport instead of online.
“This one drives me crazy because it’s so easily avoided,” Sarah said. “Passengers get surprised at check-in, and the frustration on their faces never gets easier to see.”
Most major airlines charge $35to $40 for the first checked bag. However, prepaying online at least 24 hours before departure often saves $5to $15 per bag. For a family of four, skipping prepayment can mean paying $20 to $60 more for the same service.
“I always tell passengers to check their airline’s website right after booking,” she said. “It’ll show you exactly what your bags will cost (and give you a discount if you pay early!).”
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The Weight Limit Wake-Up Call
Another all-too-common error? Overweight luggage.
“Just last week, I watched a traveler repack their suitcase at the counter, throwing away toiletries and clothes because their bag was too heavy for carry-on,” Sarah said. “it’s just so common and honestly, kind of painful to watch!”
Most major airlines cap checked bags at 50 pounds, while budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier set stricter limits, often at 40 pounds. Going over the limit can trigger overweight fees of $100 to $200, depending on the airline.
“I’ve seen passengers pay more in overweight baggage fees than they paid for the flight itself,” she said. “A $10 luggage scale — I got mine at Five Below! — could prevent a $150 surprise.”
The Search Strategy Slip-Up
Many travelers unknowingly drive up their own ticket prices during the search process.
“I’ve had passengers tell me that prices rose while they were trying to decide whether to book,” Sarah said.
While it’s a common belief that websites raise prices based on repeated searches, it’s more likely due to session-based pricing or actual shifts in availability, not browser cookies.
“To avoid price jumps, try searching in incognito mode or clearing your browser cookies, just to rule out those factors,” Sarah shared. “But know that airlines use dynamic pricing, so fluctuations happen no matter what. Sometimes you just get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
Carry-On Confusion
The daily struggle for overhead bin space reveals another widespread mistake: misunderstanding carry-on policies.
“Every day, I play what my fellow flight attendants call ‘overhead bin Tetris’,” she said. “People bring oversized bags or assume their Basic Economy fare includes carry-ons and it doesn’t always.”
Some airlines charge an additional $25 gate handling fee if Basic Economy passengers bring oversized bags to the gate. Others may deny boarding until the bag is checked with standard fees applied.
“Always double-check your fare’s baggage rules,” Sarah shared. “Just because the ticket was cheap doesn’t mean it includes a carry-on.”
Credit Card Misses
Sarah frequently hears of frequent flyers missing major savings by not using airline credit cards.
“The most expensive mistake I see is frequent travelers who don’t have the right credit card,” she said.
Most airline-branded credit cards offer one free checked bag per passenger. It’s a perk that quickly offsets the $95 to $150 annual fee. Checking a single bag on three round-trip flights per year often covers the card’s cost. Some also offer free services such as Clear, which makes getting through security much faster.
“If you’re traveling regularly, that card can easily save you hundreds over time,” she said.
Premium Cabin Opportunities
Sarah said travelers sometimes pay more for less by assuming economy is always cheaper.
“When demand is high, economy fares surge, and airlines occasionally discount first or premium economy just to fill those seats,” she said. “I always tell my friends this hack.”
Premium cabin pricing drops closer to departure if unsold, and in some cases, passengers find first class or premium economy for just slightly more (or even less) than economy.
Add-On Fee Overload
From seat selection to Wi-Fi, travelers are constantly presented with upsells during booking.
“I see travelers get nickel-and-dimed to death,” Sarah said. “They click on every add-on thinking it’s necessary, but it’s not.”
One example: seat selection fees. While airlines encourage paying for seats, many flights allow free seat assignments at check-in.
“Sure, you might not get the aisle or window, but it’s still a seat,” Sarah said. “If you’re trying to save money, skip the extras you don’t really need.”
Booking Platform Confusion
Sarah said many passengers are misled by third-party booking sites, not realizing they’ll still face airline-set fees at check-in.
“Some people think booking on a different website means different fees, but baggage and service fees are always set by the airline.”
However, third-party platforms often fail to show full cost breakdowns upfront, leading to sticker shock at the airport.
The Loyalty Program Miss
Lastly, Sarah is surprised by how many regular flyers don’t sign up for frequent flyer programs.
“Even if you only fly a few times a year, loyalty programs can offer perks like free bags, upgrades or early boarding,” she said.
Many programs also allow travelers to earn miles on both flights and purchases, offering long-term value without requiring elite status.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: A Flight Attendant Reveals: These Are the Travel Money Mistakes Passengers Make Every Day
