Travel is my thing…and helping fellow travelers has always been my cup of tea. I’ve started working in the industry back in 2002. For a long while, I have focused on offering travel advice as part of my job. Nowadays, I offer advice on my blog – and to each of you who email me or contact me on social media.

We all want to enjoy our trips and, if possible, not to have to worry about anything but having fun. But, even if you do have a travel consultant or a travel agent, you still need to be aware of a lot of things before and during your trip.

Below is a list of Do and Don’t, which will help you plan and take a worry-free trip.

The Name

Do:

• The name on the plane tickets needs to match exactly the name on your official documents (Passport , ID card).
• Proofread what you entered before you hit purchase. Once the tickets are issued, it’s hard (or impossible) to change the name without paying more.
• Use the 24 hour rule if needed. Once a ticket is issued, you have 24 hours to cancel it free of charge. Exceptions exist and , you guessed it, it’s the low cost carriers.

Don’t:

• Use only one of the (many) names you have on your official documents. You may get away with using the “middle initial” but it is not recommended.
• Book for someone else if you don’t have their official document in your hands when you make the purchase.

The Hour

Do:

• Remember that, every single time, the hour on your plane, train, bus or ferry ticket is the local hour.
• Set multiple alarms on your smartphone to make sure you wake up on time to catch the transportation.
• Ask the hotel staff to make a “wake up call”.
• Allow for at least 2-3 hours at the airport, so that you make it from entrance, through security check and to the gate.

Don’t:

• Forget to learn to read both 24h formats and standard US am/pm formats.

The Airline

Do:

• Add your contact details on the airline’s website when you “manage” / “check” your reservation. Or at the time of booking, if you book directly with the airline.
• Check the flight details often and always 2-3 days before departure.
• Set alerts on the airline’s page to be notified if any changes are made to the schedule.
• Always trust the airline when a schedule change appears.
• Check the luggage limitations to avoid extra fees.

Don’t:

• Assume anything related to luggage , check in or hours. Check and ask questions.

Online Check-in

Do:

• Check in online as soon as it is made available by the airline (industry standard is 24h before departure).
• Ask the airline if airport check in is for free (if online check In is not available)

Don’t:

• Assume it is free to check in at the airport, especially if you fly low cost.
• Assume online check-in works on mobile devices. Some airlines have apps, but not all and many sites just don’t work well on mobile.

The Luggage

Do:

• Check the luggage inclusions and limitations before you book your ticket, as well as once you have your ticket. You want to know how big your luggage can be and how much it costs to add more luggage.

Don’t:

• Assume that checked luggage is included with your ticket. It usually is not, especially for internal US, Canada to US, internal Canada, internal Europe and internal Australia flights. Only trans-continental flights will have luggage included. It is never included for low-cost carriers.

Change Fees

Do:

• Check with the airline (or train operator) and ask how much the change fees are and whether you pay anything in addition (fare difference, new seat, processing fee).

Don’t:

• Assume it’s free to change your ticket. It rarely is. In some cases, when it comes to train tickets, you may get away with paying the seat only (in Europe).

My Transport Option Got Canceled

Do:

• Ask the airline/train/bus operator to help you. They need to get you to the destination, in one form or another.
• Keep all the receipts for the money spent while you waited for a new flight / train / bus. Use them to file a claim with your insurance agent.

Don’t:

• Assume anyone knows when it would be possible to travel again if the cancellation was due to a natural event, political unrest or terrorist act.

>>read more about what to do when your flight is delayed or canceled

I Went to the Wrong Airport / Train / Bus Station

Do:

• Check, before you go to the airport/train station, the exact place you are departing from.
• If you missed the flight / train / bus , ask the operator to help you get rebooked. It may not be for free.

Don’t:

• Assume travel insurance covers you for all instances. Make sure you know what you are covered for.

>>read more about what to do when you miss a flight

Where Is My Luggage?

Do:

• File a complaint with the airline the second you notice the luggage didn’t make it.
• File a claim with the insurance agent.
• Travel carry on only

Don’t:

• Pack anything valuable in the checked luggage.

Passport and Visas

Do:

• Make sure your passport is valid 6 months after the date you return from your trip.
• Make sure you know what visas/vaccinations you require before you travel to a destination.
• Check the rules for each country when you travel with a minor.

Don’t:

• Buy the tickets on your maiden name while you passport is on your married name (or vice-versa).
• Assume you are entitled to a full refund if your visa is refused or you are refused bording. Only a handful of airlines actually offer the many back and they do it if you have proof of being rejected.