Much of the extra money people pay for a flight doesn't come from bad luck — it comes from small mistakes in the search and booking process that can be avoided with a bit of care.
We rounded up the most common slip-ups that come up every day for people searching for flights, and what to do differently in each case. None of these fixes require a complicated tool — just a bit more care before completing your purchase.
Heads up
The 7 most common mistakes that make flights more expensive
- 01
Waiting until the last minute to buy
Waiting too long reduces your chances of getting the cheapest fare tiers, especially on busy routes or high-demand dates.
- 02
Searching only one airline
Checking only LATAM's site, only GOL's, or only Azul's increases the chance you'll pay more than you needed to. Comparing all three in the same search fixes that.
- 03
Ignoring dates close to the one you picked
Shifting your departure or return by a day or two often lowers the final price quite a bit, and that difference goes unnoticed when you lock in a date from the start.
- 04
Not considering alternative airports
In cities with more than one airport, ignoring the alternatives can cost you. It's worth comparing while factoring in the trip to get there.
- 05
Forgetting to factor in baggage
A cheaper fare without checked baggage can end up costing more overall than a slightly higher fare that already includes what you need to bring.
- 06
Not tracking price changes
Buying on your first search without checking the route's trend can mean missing a price drop that would have happened days later.
- 07
Unknowingly paying an agency fee
Some sales channels bake middleman fees into the final price. Comparing and buying directly with the airline avoids that extra cost.
Context
Why these mistakes are so common
In most cases, the reason isn't a genuine lack of attention, but a lack of time. It's faster to open a single site, accept the first date that shows up, and complete the purchase than to compare airlines, test nearby dates, and track the price trend for a few days. The problem is that this rush usually costs money, especially on busy routes and high-demand dates, where the difference between the best and worst option can be quite significant.
Checklist
How to fix these mistakes in practice
- 01
Search with the right amount of lead time for your trip type
Use the recommended window for domestic routes, international routes, or high-demand dates as a starting point.
- 02
Compare LATAM, GOL, and Azul in the same search
Do this right in the comparison tool, looking at price and conditions side by side, with no agency fee.
- 03
Open the month's price calendar
See the cheapest days for departure and return before locking in an exact date.
- 04
Turn on a price alert
Let the system track the route for you, instead of relying only on your first search.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What's the most common mistake when buying a flight?
Searching only one airline and not comparing the options available for the same route and date. This is usually what costs travelers the most without them realizing it.
Does shifting your departure date by one day really make a price difference?
Yes, in many cases. Demand varies from one day to the next, and the month's price calendar helps you spot these differences before locking in a date.
Is it worth considering alternative airports to save money?
Yes, as long as you factor in the cost and time of getting to that airport when comparing. Sometimes the savings on the ticket are worth it; sometimes they're not.
How do I avoid unknowingly paying an agency fee?
Compare and complete your purchase using a tool that doesn't charge a middleman fee, like Viajante Promo, where you buy directly from the airline you choose.
Does not tracking a route's price really make that much of a difference?
Yes. Without tracking the trend, you might buy during a price spike without knowing it, or miss a drop that would have happened a few days later. A price alert takes care of this automatically.
Who wrote this
Who wrote this
Bruno Neri
Investigates price patterns and buying behavior to help readers avoid the most common mistakes when buying flights.