14 Big Mistakes People Make When Flying, According to Travel Pros

Traveling with family and friends is a great way to make memories, but it can also be stressful. One common mistake that people make is not discussing their travel logistics and expectations ahead of time. Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, says you should ask questions of your travel companions including: Do you want to stay in the city center, or a little out of town? Is all-inclusive your vibe or would you rather go out to dine and drink? Do you prefer getting up early to maximize your sightseeing time or having a slow, relaxed morning?

She also recommends having everyone download the same budgeting app to keep track of who is paying for what. Splitwise is an easy-to-use one that allows everyone to enter their expenses and have each person's total share calculated automatically.

"Shared costs are at the heart of most fallouts and arguments during group trips," she says. "Forgotten pledges to pay you back later can quickly descend into resentment."

As of May 7, 2025, you must have a REAL ID-compliant license or other identification in order to board domestic flights in the U.S. The REAL ID Act is a law that established higher security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. If your driver's license or state ID has a star in the upper right hand corner, it's REAL ID-compliant. If you don't have one, you can make an appointment at a DMV in your state. Be sure to read up on the documents you'll need to obtain the REAL ID-compliant identification.

If you don't have a REAL ID-compliant license, you can still travel domestically, but you'll need to bring a passport, permanent resident card, or other form of acceptable identification.

Airlines have restrictions on how large your carry-on bag can be. Before heading to the airport, read up on your airline's restrictions and ensure your bag won't be too big to fit in the overhead compartment. If your bag has an expandable option, be sure it meets the size requirements even when it's fully expanded (if that's how you plan to travel with it). Additionally, you'll want to be sure that the bag isn't too heavy for you to lift into the overhead compartment on the plane.

If your bag is too big, you may be asked to check it in at the gate. It's not the end of the world, but for people who really hate waiting at baggage claim, it's worth being thoughtful about the size of your carry-on.

Very occasionally, luggage ends up in the wrong place. Since it may be several hours or days before the airline reunites you with your suitcase, you want to make sure you have the most essential items in your carry-on or personal item, not in your checked bag. For instance, you want to have your car keys, daily medications, and passports on you rather than in a checked bag. Should your bag get lost, not having access to these items could pose some serious difficulty.

You may also want to ensure that any sentimental items (like your child's favorite stuffed animal or heirloom jewelry that can't be replaced) are packed in a carry-on rather than checked baggage, just in case.

One thing that seasoned travelers do is ensure that laptops, phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones, and travel batteries are all charged up before travel. It's a pain to settle into your seat with a Kindle or movie loaded on your iPad only to have it die five minutes later. While outlets are often available, it's not a guarantee on all planes, so charge everything up beforehand.

Few things are more stressful than waiting in a long check-in or security line at the airport and worrying that you might miss your flight. To avoid this, the TSA recommends arriving two hours before a domestic flight's departure and three hours before an international one — yes, even if you have TSA PreCheck or Clear.

"I have TSA PreCheck and Clear, but that does not mean I can always go through the expedited line," says Lindsay Myers, a travel expert and founder of Get Lost With Lindsay. "Some smaller airports do not have that capability. So I am always prepared to go through the general line as well."

Many credit cards offer access to airport lounges, where you can have complimentary food and drinks, comfortable seating, fast WiFi, and other perks. Double-check and see if any of your credit cards gives you lounge access. Instead of waiting in a crowded terminal and paying $40 for a burger and fries, you can wait for your flight somewhere comfortable and clean while enjoying a complimentary meal and glass of wine.

If you don't have lounge access through a credit card, you might still be able to get into airport lounges by purchasing Priority Pass. Memberships start at $100 a year, and you'll pay $35 per person per visit (which is probably about the cost of a snack or meal at the airport).

Many people have made the mistake of tossing a full-sized body lotion or can of shaving cream into a carry-on bag. However, the TSA rules limit you to only carrying travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. Any liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes are subject to this rule. Additionally, all of your small containers must fit in one quart-sized bag.

Even as someone who flies frequently, I often forget to grab snacks before heading to the airport. But I know there's no good reason to spend $20 on a bag of cheese crackers and some candy when I could get my favorites from the grocery store the night before for far less. (And if you're traveling with multiple kids, this tip can help you avoid a truly eye-watering total at the register).

"Keep your laptop close by," suggests Myers. "I have a Samsonite carry on that has a laptop sleeve on the outside. I love it because I do not need to stop the security line and open up my luggage."

It can be annoying to have yet another app on your phone. But as a frequent traveler, I've found that having the airline's app makes it easy to check in, make any changes to my reservation, get my boarding pass, and learn of any gate changes or flight updates. While all of these tasks can be accomplished without the app, I find it simpler to have everything I need in one place.

When you're waiting at the gate, it can be easy to get absorbed in a good book or consumed with keeping the kids entertained. But gate agents will often relay important information about flight delays, travel documents, and boarding processes over the loudspeaker. Do your best to keep one ear open for the info you'll need for a smooth experience.

While you can use your credit or debit card abroad in many situations, it's still good to have some cash on you. "A lot of countries do not take American Express," says Myers. "I also always have with me some of the local currency. I just order it about a week in advance with my bank and it gets delivered to me. This is a free service through most banks."

Doing this before you fly can also help you avoid foreign ATM fees when you land. Additionally, if you're taking a taxi or car service when you land, it's a good idea to have cash in case the cab isn't equipped to take cards.

If you're flying internationally, you need to find out beforehand whether you need a visa to enter the country you're flying to. "I just went to the U.K., which I have been to dozens of times," says Myers. "But now, you have to have a visa to enter the country no matter where you are coming from. I also went to Indonesia this year and did not do my research in advance. You could obtain a visa at the airport, but that led me to long lines and double the costs."