10 Planning Mistakes That Could Stop Your Vacation

Did you forget how to travel? Same. After this past year, we’re all a little rusty when it comes to traveling. And while sometimes vacations can be cancelled due to events that are out of our control (pandemic cough cough), there are many other situations that can be prevented by avoiding common blunders. And since we’re all a little rusty, we thought a reminder on crucial things to check before you travel might come in hand.

Don’t forget your passport

Turning up to the airport for a vacation abroad and realizing that you haven’t brought your passport is a nightmare situation. In most cases, you won’t have enough time to go back and get it. 

It goes without saying that checking that you’ve got your passport on you before you leave the house is crucial. But packing it in your hand luggage the day before is also useful, especially in the chaos of getting out the door. If you’re traveling with kids, definitely hold onto theirs as well, and keep them all in the same place.

Checking the passport expiry date

It’s been a minute, so check that expiry date - both for entrance and for exiting countries. Also side note - some countries won’t even let you enter if you’ve got less than six months left on your passport. 

Because it can take up to six weeks to renew a passport, check your passport well in advance (a great time to do it is when you book your vacation, unless it’s last minute) and plan to get it renewed then if necessary. This also gives you enough time to get it back. There are fast-track services available, but be wary that you’ll have to pay extra for these. 

Don’t forget to apply for a visa

Some countries also require you to apply for a visa in order to enter. Fail to obtain a visa and you won’t be able to enter. You can research online as to whether you need a visa to enter a certain country. It could also be worth researching into unique circumstances such as multiple citizenship - some countries may not require you to have a visa if you’re a dual citizen, while others may still expect it.

You can apply for visas online. They can take up to 72 hours to process and can vary in cost depending on the country and the type of visa you need - which leads to the next potential slip...

Don’t apply for the wrong visa

Yup, it’s happened before - more often than you might think! Because there are different types of visa that you can apply for, make sure to choose the right one or you could be denied entry.

If you’re going on a simple two week vacation, you’ll generally just need a standard tourist visa. However, if you’re traveling for several months, you might need a different visa. If you also plan to work abroad, you may also need to apply for a separate working visa. 

Don’t wait too too last minute to book

Booking a vacation last minute can be a great way to cut costs. Many hotels and airlines slash their prices 6 weeks prior in order to fill up empty rooms/seats. However, be wary of waiting too too last minute. Not only will you have less time to prepare documentation, but you could also find that there isn’t any availability for your dates. This is particularly important if you're considering hiring a private jet from blackjet.com, for example, as private aviation often requires advanced booking to ensure aircraft availability and preferred scheduling There’s also the risk that the prices could do the opposite and increase dramatically in the last week, making the whole thing unaffordable.Pro tip: the 6-2 week time period is a sweet spot for getting deals. Just be careful as this might not give you enough time to get documentation regarding visas or passport renewals and there may be limited spaces in hotels and on flights (so finding multiple seats together for a family could be difficult).

Keep up with payment installments

When booking a vacation six months to a year in advance, you may be given the option to pay in installments. If you choose this route, make sure to keep up those payments! Otherwise, you run the risk of losing your deposit and your vacation to boot if you end up missing multiple payments. 

It’s usually a good idea to start budgeting yourself if you are opting for a vacation installment plan. By setting aside enough money every month you can avoid being unable to pay off your vacation. Looking for autopay options are also a great idea as well.

Keep up with the news

Is it really safe to travel where you are going? What’s the current cultural climate? Are there new rules or restrictions that might affect your stay or what you want to do while there? While dramatic sounding, natural disaster, war, or civil unrest are all aspects to consider. Make sure that you do your research ahead.

Don’t miss your flight

If you miss a flight, it’s possible to get on the next one - but you might have to pay for another ticket while you’re at it. And if it’s the entire family, that’s a whole lot of tickets to repurchase.

Some airlines will refund you if you miss a flight due to problems at the airport. However, if you miss a flight due to bad traffic or simply sleeping through your alarm, you won’t be refunded. To avoid missing a flight, plan to set off and arrive early. If you have a bad habit of sleeping through alarms, designate someone more responsible be on alarm duty. Avoid a late night beforehand. 

Service your car before a road trip

If you’re going on a road trip vacation or simply driving a long way to a hotel/campsite, it’s important to make sure that your car is in good condition. If your car breaks down on the way there, it could be the end of your vacation.

Plan to get your car serviced a week before. This should give you enough time to get any parts fixed which may be worn or on their way out. If you’ve got old tires, consider splashing out on a new set (tire blowouts are a big cause of road trip breakdowns). 

Don’t forgo travel insurance

Travel insurance won’t prevent your vacation being cancelled, however it could help to pay your compensation if your flight is cancelled. It can also help to pay for lost baggage or medical treatment abroad if you get sick.

If you’re traveling somewhere low-risk, travel insurance will usually be very cheap and you can also shop around to get the best rates. 

Happy travels!