The 24 common scams and traps travellers fall for (and how to avoid them)

Sydney Morning Herald

10 hours ago

The solution Don't forget to remove items with lithium batteries from your luggage, though AirTags and similar tracking devices are OK. Several airlines have started banning the use of power banks during flights. Read more on that here.
The airport duty-free booze bust
The lowdown If you buy duty-free alcohol at an airport in Europe or anywhere else with an intermediate stop before your final flight to Australia, you're going to part company with your booze before you re-board your aircraft. Australian government regulations require that all passengers on inbound flights submit to a final gate inspection before boarding the aircraft and any liquids, aerosols or gels in containers over 100 millilitres will be confiscated. Even if they're sealed in a tamper-evident plastic bag with purchase documentation attached, they're not flying.
The solution Buy your duty-free alcohol at the last stop before your final destination, on board the aircraft on the last leg or at the duty-free shop at your destination.
Falling for airport duty-free 'bargains'
The lowdown In most cases, buying duty-free electronics, bags or clothing at airports saves the Value Added Tax, or the GST in the case of Australia. Caution is required. Airport retail space is expensive, and those glittering objects might not be such a bargain.
The solution Before you shell out for that Apple product or the Prada sunglasses, make sure it really is cheaper than back home. The duty-free concession for goods imported to Australia is limited to $900, though if the goods have been used while you're away, an extra allowance might apply.
The overweight carry-on impost
The lowdown Most airlines restrict carry-ons to a maximum weight of seven to nine kilograms, and some enforce it rigorously. Turn up for a Jetstar flight with a bag weighing more than seven kilograms and you could be looking at a $75 fee. Beware of flying with carry-ons on European low-cost carriers, where the size limit for bags is often smaller than aboard other airlines.
The solution Nearly all carriers let you bring one extra small item aboard, if it fits under the seat in front, and this doesn't usually have a weight limit. A soft, squishable bag that can adapt to tight quarters is perfect.
Embarking on a long layover without checking lounge options
The lowdown If your layover stretches beyond a couple of hours, find a lounge. For those not flying at the pointy end of the aircraft, pay-per-use lounges are a blessing, an oasis of calm amid the hustle of airport life. Most major airports offer a decent selection, and while you can often walk in and pay, scout the options ahead of time. A decent lounge will offer showers (non-negotiable after a long-haul flight), plus a spread of snacks, drinks, decent coffee and quiet corners to rest or work.
Not realising you have an invalid expiry date on your passport
The lowdown Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure, but there are exceptions. New Zealand requires only three months, as do France, Austria, Switzerland and French Polynesia, but airline check-in staff don't always get the memo. If they think your passport isn't valid because it expires in less than six months, you're not getting on board.
The solution If you're travelling with a passport with fewer than six months' validity and the country you're visiting allows that, go to the official immigration website of your destination, download the entry requirements and bring a printout to the check-in desk.
Not arriving early enough for that simply-can't-miss-it event
The lowdown In a world where flight cancellations and delays are part of the travel landscape, flying in just hours before a big event is asking for trouble. This applies especially to weddings, cruise departures, group tours or anything else you absolutely can't miss.
The solution Arriving a day or two early gives you time to shake off the jet lag, find your feet and explore a little. If your bag is delayed you've time in hand to reunite.
Falling for the Booking.com email scam
The lowdown You've booked your hotel through Booking.com and a couple of days before check-in, an email lands in your inbox asking you to confirm your credit card details. Fail to confirm, and your reservation will be cancelled. It looks official – Booking.com logo, reservation details, the lot. You don't want to lose the room, so you click through and do as you're told, but you've just fallen for a phishing scam, a slick attempt to separate you from your money by handing over your card details.
The solution Never click on links in unsolicited emails asking you to verify a transaction. If in doubt, go straight to the source. Log into your Booking.com account directly or call the hotel. Read more about this scam here.
The petrol station surcharge
The lowdown Fuel stations across much of Europe are often unattended. It's just you, the pump and a central terminal that asks for your card before you touch the nozzle. Along with the fuel charge, the system may slap a temporary lock on a chunk of your funds, a pre-authorisation, and it can be as much as €100 ($175). If you've paid with a debit card, that money is effectively out-of-reach, and could stay that way for a week or two.
The solution Pay with cash or use a credit instead of a debit card.
To prepay or not to prepay
The lowdown Some hotels will give you a better rate if you prepay, but it's usually on a non-refundable basis, and that should inspire caution. Some also ask for a deposit, but make sure it's refundable. If the hotel won't accept a booking without a deposit, you might use an online travel agency such as Booking.com or Expedia that allows you to book with no deposit and cancel at short notice with no penalty, but check the conditions.
The solution Don't be seduced by a non-refundable rate.
Failing to select your airline seat
The lowdown Do you enjoy sitting in a middle seat in the aircraft, squished in between strangers? Probably not, and there's no reason to be there. Especially not for long-legged flyers. Seat selection takes a couple of minutes, you can usually do it when you book, and if you have to pay extra, don't be a cheapskate.
The solution If seat booking isn't available when you book, it will usually happen 24 or 48 hours pre-flight, and you should get an email notifying you when online check-in becomes available. If you're in doubt about where to sit, take a look at SeatMaps.
The lowdown Along with many other European cities, London has three major airports, and the fastest transfer between Gatwick and Heathrow by public transport takes an hour. On top of that, you have to collect your baggage and check in for your connecting flight. Getting caught is one of the pitfalls for the DIY traveller.
The solution If your trip is complicated, if it's somewhere you're not familiar with, let a travel agent handle your bookings.
FIVE MORE TRAPS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
You really want me to eat that?
Fermented soybeans in Japan, chicken feet in China, snails in France. Eating what the locals eat is one of the great joys of travel. If you want to understand a culture, there is no better place to start than the dinner table. Stick to KFC and McDonald's if it makes you feel safe, but it's not going to open the doors of experience.
That's the third time we've driven past our hotel
Want to sap every ounce of pleasure from your travels? Try driving in any large continental European city. Not only will you be driving on the right, chances are you will be caught up in traffic snarls and medieval laneways. Leave your car at your hotel or park on the edge of the city and use local transport.
My flight arrives early morning but my hotel check-in time is 3pm
Many flights from Australia to Europe arrive around dawn. You'll probably be in need of a shower and a lie down, but if your hotel room is booked for that night, check-in most likely won't be until mid-afternoon. Instead, book the room for the night before (an extra expense but worth it), or plan a stopover and take a connecting flight that arrives later in the day.
The not-so-fine fine print
Fall over on wet cobblestones and break a bone after a big night out in Bad Kissingen and your insurance claim might be denied on the grounds you were intoxicated. The product disclosure statement that comes with your travel insurance policy is dull as a wet Sunday afternoon, but it's an essential read. Pay special attention to the exclusions.
It's not even 5pm and it's pitch black
That's because you're in London and it's winter. On the shortest days around Christmas, twilight starts before 4pm. It's also cold and rains a lot. Therefore, you're going to be spending most of your time in museums, theatres and galleries, and is this the holiday you had in mind? Plan your itinerary with an eye on the weather or choose a warmer time.