With travel just a click away, more and more South Africans are ditching traditional bookings and going the DIY route – hunting for deals, choosing flights, and locking in hotels completely online. It feels empowering… until it isn’t.
We spoke to a group of seasoned South African travel advisors to uncover the most common booking blunders this can lead to, and the deceptively simple decisions that can trip you up. Before you hit “book now”, arm yourself with these expert tips to make your next trip smoother, safer, and far more memorable.
MISTAKE #1: Booking Through Third-Party Sites
Click, pay, done? Not quite. Many South African travellers use search engines to find airfare deals, not realising what happens next.
“Clients click on what seems to be the best price but get redirected to another company, which then books with the airline,” says Envoyage travel advisor Lilly Fourie. “You end up with multiple reference numbers and no idea who to contact if something goes wrong.”
This creates big problems when you need help, whether it’s a sudden change, cancellation, missed connection, or even just adding a bag. And the call centres? Often overseas or with long wait times.
So, how do you steer clear of this chaos? Book through a travel advisor. “We guide you through the booking, explain the rules, and handle any unexpected changes,” explains Fourie. “It’s always good to have someone to count on when plans go wrong.”
MISTAKE #2: Booking the Wrong Location and Blowing Your Budget
It’s easy to get caught up in star ratings and special offers, but if you don’t pay attention to your hotel’s location, that great deal could cost you more than you think.
Take this common mistake: a traveller books a hotel thinking it’s just a short walk from the train station they’ll depart from the next day but also plans to explore the city during their stopover. The result? They end up far from the sights, spend way more than budgeted on transport, and waste valuable time commuting back and forth.
“Location for most holidays is important, but it’s not just about being central – it also affects your overall cost and convenience,” says Envoyage travel advisor Karen McCrindle.
Her advice? Don’t look at price alone. Make sure your base makes sense for what you want to do and how you want to move. “A slightly more expensive hotel in the right place can end up being the better choice,” she says.
MISTAKE #3: Waiting for Last-Minute Flight Deals
It’s a pattern travel advisors know well. Stephanie Allan from Envoyage explains that she often receives enquiries for flight quotes, but the traveller decides to wait, hoping for a last-minute deal to pop up.
The idea is appealing: hang back, watch the fares, and grab a bargain when prices drop. But more often than not, that deal never comes. “By the time they return to book, the fare has gone up – sometimes substantially,” says Allan.
Flight prices are dynamic and tend to increase as the departure date approaches, especially on popular routes. While last-minute specials may occasionally appear, they’re unpredictable and rarely align with your ideal dates or itinerary.
Allan’s advice? Don’t play the waiting game. If a fare fits your budget and your plans are firm, booking earlier often gives you better value and a far less stressful lead-up to your trip.
MISTAKE #4: Overlooking Passport Validity and Entry Requirements
You’ve booked your flights, found your dream hotel, and set your sights on Europe, but one overlooked detail could stop your entire trip before it begins: your passport.
“Most travellers don’t realise that many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return to South Africa,” says Catharina Stewart, another travel advisor at Envoyage. “If your passport doesn’t meet this criteria, you could be denied boarding at the airport.”
Another common misconception? Thinking that “visa-free” means “no entry requirements.” While South Africans can enter various countries without a visa, that doesn’t mean you can just arrive at the border without documentation. “Even in visa-free countries, you may need to show proof of accommodation, a return ticket, travel insurance, sufficient funds, or an invitation letter,” explains Stewart.
Her advice is simple: always check entry rules thoroughly before committing to travel, as passport expiry dates and entry requirements vary between countries.
MISTAKE #5: Trusting Travel Influencers Without Doing Your Own Research
It’s easy to get swept up by travel inspiration on Instagram or TikTok – white-sand beaches, hidden towns, and “undiscovered” spots that look too perfect to be true. And often, they are.
“People forget how many shots it takes to get the perfect picture,” says Envoyage travel advisor Bernadette Terblanche. “Some influencers even edit people out of the background to make it look empty and peaceful.” The result? Travellers show up expecting serenity and find a beach packed with tourists.
Social media influencers aren’t always trained travel experts, and the content they share is designed to gain likes – not deliver practical advice. Important details like transport logistics, crowds, high season costs, and entry requirements are often completely left out.
Terblanche’s advice is to use social media for inspiration, not information. “Always do your own research or speak to a travel advisor who can give you the real picture instead of the filtered one.”
MISTAKE #6: Winging it and Hoping for the Best
Sometimes, the mistake isn’t what you book – it’s what you don’t.
Things like choosing a middle seat in the back row, thinking it’ll magically come with extra legroom. Or assuming the airline will figure out your special meal request without properly confirming it. Even something as important as letting your hotel know about food allergies in advance can be overlooked – with serious consequences.
And once you land? Trying to grab a last-minute airport transfer or figuring out your route through an unfamiliar city after a long-haul flight can leave you stressed and overwhelmed.
Another common one: assuming you’ll “sort it out when you get there” instead of pre-booking a few key tours or activities. “A lot of people don’t realise how much time they lose trying to plan things once they’ve arrived,” says Envoyage travel advisor Anneri Papenfus. “A good guide, airport transport arranged ahead of time, and just a little structure can completely change your experience.”
About Envoyage
Envoyage is a leader in the travel industry, dedicated to shaping the future of travel through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. With a commitment to empowering its members and partners, Envoyage offers cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled support to drive success in an ever-evolving landscape. Visit www.join.envoyage.com