Avoid These Common Travel Mistakes and Watch Out for New Regulations

Travel is rife with room for error: Keeping track of every rule and regulation is so tiring that by the time you've gotten your boarding pass you've earned another vacation.

I've been crisscrossing the world full-time for over six years, and I've had and seen my fair share of tearful breakdowns and raucous fights while waiting in line at the check-in counter. From forgotten visas to passport blunders to luggage mishaps, countless issues can arise once you arrive at the airport for your long-awaited vacation. So, to prevent heartbreak, avoid these common travel mistakes, plus get up to speed on new visa and entry regulations for the world's biggest travel destinations to avoid making new ones.

Pay Attention to Your Passport Expiration Date

Recently, an acquaintance on social media tearfully posted about how she was turned away at the airport when trying to check in for her babymoon to Norway. She had no idea that most countries require your passport to have at least six months of validity before it expires. Once you realize this mistake, it's typically too late to rectify it before you miss your travel window, as it can take weeks for a new passport to process.

Be Mindful of the Pages in Your Passport

United States passports have either 32 or 52 pages, depending on which you choose (FYI, the 52-pager comes at no extra cost). For most travelers, filling every page is a pipe dream, but that doesn't mean you should turn a blind eye to your blank pages. The majority of countries require two blank pages in your passport before you can enter the country, and some African countries like Zambia and Botswana require three. If you see your passport pages filling up, start the process of getting a new passport; otherwise, you may be denied boarding.

Don't Fall Victim to the Luggage Trap

A few years ago, while leaving Japan, I didn't bother purchasing an extra weight allowance on my luggage when booking my ticket. Many airlines in Asia, particularly budget ones, allow for 20 kilograms (44 lbs) of checked luggage and 7 kilograms (15 lbs) of carry-on luggage (including suitcases, backpacks, and purses combined). I didn't expect the airline check-in attendant to weigh both my checked bags and my various carry-ons. I was wrong, and the extra kilograms would have cost me $650 — hundreds more than the price of my ticket. I had no other choice but to throw away my entire carry-on and all its contents. Since then, I always buy 10 extra kilograms (22 lbs) of weight allowance when I purchase my ticket to avoid the sky-high prices at the check-in counter (for most airlines, purchasing extra weight in advance is more cost-efficient than buying it at the check-in counter, where you'll have to cough up extra fees).