Debunking 6 Common Travel Myths

We all love a good travel hack—those insider tips that promise to save us money and make our travel dreams come true. 

Some of the most commonly shared travel secrets are actually outdated myths that could end up costing you money or leading your trip astray. 

In this newsletter, I’m setting the record straight on six persistent travel myths that keep circulating on social media and in travel forums. From flight booking strategies to insurance coverage, I’ll show you what really works – and what doesn’t – so you can plan your next trip with confidence and save money in the process.

#1 Tuesday is the best day to buy flights

Remember when everyone swore that booking flights on Tuesdays guaranteed the best deals? 

While this myth originated from the days when airlines would load their fares once a week, today’s airline pricing is far more dynamic, using sophisticated algorithms that adjust prices multiple times per day. In fact, a recent study by Google Flights analyzed billions of airfare prices and found no consistent pattern showing Tuesday – or any other day – as the magical money-saving moment.

Instead of focusing on a specific day, focus on booking within the ‘Goldilocks’ booking window for your destination—typically 3-6 months ahead for international flights and 1-3 months for domestic travel. 

Set up price alerts on Google Flights and be ready to book when you see a fare that fits your budget.

Pro tip: Keep a sticky note at your desk so you can remember what the lowest price was, especially when planning multiple trips. 

Botttom line, the best time to book is when you find a price you’re comfortable paying, regardless of what day of the week it is.

#2 Clear cookies and use incognito when searching

You’ve probably heard the advice: “Always clear your cookies and use incognito mode when searching for flights, or airlines will raise their prices on you!” 

While this widespread belief made sense, consumer advocacy groups and travel experts have found no evidence that airlines or booking sites raise prices based on your search history. Modern airline pricing systems are far too complex to be influenced by your browsing history.

What actually works is being strategic about how you search and flexible with your travel dates—these practices will have a more significant impact on finding better fares than worrying about your browser’s cookies or incognito mode.

#3 Last-minute deals are the cheapest

Despite what you might have heard about airlines and hotels desperately trying to fill empty seats or rooms at the last minute, waiting until the final days before your trip usually leads to higher prices, not deals. 

Airlines have mastered the art of revenue management. They know that last-minute travelers (especially business travelers) are often willing to pay premium prices. In fact, most flights are oversold rather than undersold, which means airlines rarely have any incentive to drop prices close to departure.

If you absolutely must book last-minute travel, try looking at alternate airports, consider budget airlines, or check if airlines offer bereavement fares for family emergencies. You can also sign up for services like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) or set alerts on Google Flights (these are free) to catch any rare last-minute deals that pop up.

#4 Overselling flights is a waste

Speaking of oversold flights – these can be a savvy traveler’s moment to shine if you know how to navigate the situation.

While it may seem counterintuitive or even unfair, airlines’ practice of overselling flights helps keep ticket prices lower and makes air travel more efficient. Statistics show that about 5-15% of passengers don’t show up for their flights due to missed connections, changed plans, or other circumstances. If airlines didn’t overbook to compensate for these no-shows, they would need to charge higher fares to cover the cost of flying with empty seats.

When overselling does mean the risk of more passengers than seats (it happens less often than you might think), airlines have well-established protocols to handle the situation. 

They first ask for volunteers willing to take a later flight in exchange for compensation, including cash vouchers, hotel stays, and guaranteed seats. In fact, savvy travelers sometimes deliberately book flights likely to be oversold, hoping to volunteer for compensation that can exceed their original ticket price. If you’re concerned about being involuntarily bumped, you can reduce your risk by checking in early, having seat assignments, and achieving status in airline loyalty programs.

See our pro guide to how to handle an oversold flight.

#5 Advertised travel sales are the best deals

This is a persistent travel myth that applies to flights, hotels, cruises, tours – almost any travel opportunity.

Many advertised travel “deals” use inflated original prices as a reference point or promote base rates that don’t include taxes, fees, and essential add-ons. For example, that amazing $499 cruise deal might end up costing over $1,000 once you add port fees, taxes, and gratuities, while that half-off hotel rate might only apply to the least desirable rooms during mid-week.

Savvy travelers know that the best deals often come through less obvious channels. 

1. Sign up for loyalty programs and their newsletters to receive targeted offers before they go public. 
2. Use price comparison tools to compare the ‘deal’ with historical prices and check the airline, cruise, or hotel website for current pricing.
3. Consider booking directly with travel providers, especially hotels, as they often offer price matching and additional perks not available through third-party sites.

And remember – a true deal isn’t just about the lowest price but about getting value for the experience at a fair price.

#6 You don’t need travel insurance if you have coverage with your credit card

While premium travel cards may include some travel benefits, relying solely on credit card coverage could leave you with serious gaps in protection. 

Credit card travel insurance typically offers limited coverage with strict eligibility requirements – like having to purchase the entire trip with that specific card. Many travelers don’t realize that credit card coverage often excludes crucial benefits like primary medical coverage abroad, emergency evacuation, or pre-existing condition coverage.

Comprehensive travel insurance becomes even more critical for travelers over 50 or any traveler with a chronic health condition. A dedicated travel insurance policy can offer benefits that credit cards don’t, such as:

• Primary medical coverage that doesn’t require you to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later
• Higher coverage limits for emergency medical evacuation (which can cost $100,000 or more)
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions when purchased within a specified timeframe
• Trip interruption coverage that includes family and work emergency situations
• More flexible cancellation policies
• 24/7 travel assistance services with dedicated medical teams

The bottom line? While credit card travel benefits can provide valuable supplementary coverage, they shouldn’t be your only safety net.

Related topics

• Google Flights Secrets for Savvy Travelers
• Pain-free flights: how to avoid aches and pains