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Here are some of the newest and most expensive mistakes travelers are making in 2026.

4 easily avoidable travel mistakes that ruin trips and cost thousands

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Chief Fiasco Fixer / Consumer reporter

Every week, travelers come to me after losing thousands of dollars on trips that should have been simple. They’re all hoping to find out how to get their money back and who is responsible for their losses. But for some, the answers to those questions are not what they expected. These are the biggest travel mistakes I’m seeing in 2026 — and how to avoid them.

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Norse Atlantic Airways Facebook groups hosted by scammers are stealing from members.

She went to Facebook for a Norse Atlantic refund. Instead, scammers stole $5,100 from her

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A United Airlines passenger arrived in Mexico as a no-show after a gate agent failed to scan his passport.

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A rental car crash in California, even with LDW, causes big problems for a Hertz customer.

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Scam call center pretending to be Costco Travel ticks cruise ship passengers

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A $1000 unauthorized PayPal transaction, scammers convinced PayPal the charge was authorized

Help! A scammer drained $1,010 from my PayPal account

Travel agent arrested, Tavia Thomas gave her clients fake cruise documents, no reservation on Symphony of the Seas

Travel agent arrested, charged with stealing $35,000 from cruise ship passengers

Cruise passenger mistakes to avoid in 2026, mild to extreme cruiser mistakes

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Amazon gift cards, no value on these gift cards, stolen Amazon gift cards

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Zelle scams often start with a phone call, This is an iphone on a tablet.

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Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship: Prima, a cruise ship on the ocean, Prima, NCL, cruising, sailing.

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If American Airlines changes your flight schedule, here's how to get a refund. This article explains the flight schedule change policy of American Airlines.

If American Airlines changes your schedule, here’s how to get a refund

The name on your passport must match the name on your ticket. This is why.

What happens if the name on your passport doesn’t match your ticket?

If you don't want to tip on your cruise, you need to let the cruise line know before you leave the ship. This cruise ship passenger thinks auto-tips are unfair.

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Could a hotel charge you a smoking fee even if you don't smoke? This hotel seems to think so.

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If you find mice in your next vacation rental, should you get a refund? This Airbnb guest believes so.

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7 Simple ways to get excellent customer service and fix your consumer problem.

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