From flight booking “hacks” to last minute deals, travellers are often told there are easy ways to slash holiday costs. But according to travel insurance experts, many of the most popular tips are outdated and don’t reflect how the travel industry now works.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, said rising travel costs are pushing holidaymakers to look for ways to cut expenses, but warned that not all advice is helpful.
Here are six common travel money myths that could be costing you more than you realise.
1. Using incognito mode gets you cheaper flights
Many travellers believe searching for flights in incognito mode stops airlines from tracking repeated searches and raising prices. In reality, flight prices are driven by factors such as demand, seat availability and timing, not your browsing history.
Prices can increase simply because cheaper fare classes sell out, automatically moving tickets into a higher priced bracket, which can make it look like prices are being manipulated.
2. Booking flights late at night means lower fares
The idea that flights are cheaper in the middle of the night dates back to when airlines updated prices manually. Today, pricing algorithms update fares around the clock, meaning the time you book rarely makes a meaningful difference.
Travellers are far more likely to save by monitoring prices over several weeks than by setting an alarm for the early hours.
3. Return flights are always cheaper than one way tickets
While return fares can offer better value on some long haul routes, this is not always true for short haul travel. With more competition and low cost carriers operating on shorter routes, booking two one way flights can sometimes be cheaper.
This approach also allows travellers to mix and match airlines to secure the lowest overall fare.
4. Airline compensation will cover all delays and disruptions
Relying on airline compensation instead of travel insurance can be risky. Airlines are only required to pay compensation under certain conditions, and if a disruption is outside their control, travellers may not be eligible.
This can leave holidaymakers facing unexpected costs if delays or cancellations affect accommodation, transfers or onward travel.
5. Last minute bookings always get the best deals
While some last minute bargains do exist, they are far from guaranteed. In many cases, prices rise as departure dates approach and seats become limited.
Planning ahead and tracking fares is often a more reliable way to save, especially during peak travel periods.
6. Budget airlines are always the cheapest option
Low cost airlines may advertise cheaper base fares, but additional charges for baggage, seat selection and other extras can quickly add up. Once these costs are included, full service airlines can sometimes offer better value.
Comparing the total cost of a flight, rather than the headline price, is essential before booking.
As travel demand continues to rise in 2026, experts say understanding how pricing really works could save travellers more money than following outdated booking myths.
