When planning a trip on a budget, we often rely on so-called universal hacks: “book flights on Tuesdays,” “travel during the shoulder season,” “do everything yourself to save money,” and so on. But many of these ideas are outdated—or were never truly effective. The Wall Street Journal has investigated which travel tips you can confidently toss in the trash.
Myth #1: The Cheapest Flights Are Always on Tuesdays
This tip was once valid… about twenty years ago. According to Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, airline managers used to review route performance every Monday. If certain routes underperformed, they’d upload discounted fares into the system on Tuesday mornings. Observant travelers caught on.
Today, it no longer works that way. Pricing is driven by complex algorithms that adjust fares in real time based on demand. Berg says the best way to catch a deal now is to use tracking services like Hopper or Google Flights.
But there’s one rule that still holds: don’t wait too long to book. For international travel, aim to buy tickets 3 to 5 months in advance. For domestic trips, 6 to 8 weeks is optimal.
Myth #2: Shoulder Season Is Always Cheaper Than Peak Season
Once upon a time, spring and fall were ideal for budget travel. Not anymore. Tourists now deliberately avoid the summer crowds and flock to popular destinations in September, October, and even in January and February. In Europe especially, cities like Rome and Barcelona no longer feel like “low season” even in autumn.
Airfare might be lower, but hotels often maintain high prices year-round in popular locations. Even in the Caribbean, traditionally considered “dead” in the summer, tourism is picking up—bringing prices up with it.
Myth #3: Booking Through a Travel Agent Costs More Than Doing It Yourself
At first glance, it seems logical: if you hire an agent, you pay extra. But the reality is quite the opposite. As Diana Hechler, president of D. Tours Travel in New York, explains, good agents have direct relationships with hotels, cruises, and tour companies worldwide, giving them access to exclusive deals and perks not available to the public.
You may pay a service fee, but you’ll likely save both money and time—especially for complex itineraries. Agencies that are part of large consortiums like Virtuoso, Travel Leaders, or Ensemble benefit from collective buying power and can pass on significant savings.
And if something goes wrong? An agent becomes your personal advocate, negotiating with providers on your behalf to get compensation or fixes.
Myth #4: You Don’t Need Trip Insurance If You Have a Credit Card
It’s true that many premium cards offer some level of travel protection. But as Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, notes, these benefits are usually less comprehensive than policies from specialized insurers.
Credit card insurance typically only applies if you paid for the entire trip with that card—and may not include international medical coverage. A smart move? Supplement your card’s coverage with a standalone medical plan, especially when traveling to countries with costly healthcare systems.
Myth #5: Now That the Pandemic Is Over, Advance Bookings Are Unnecessary
Timed-entry tickets became the norm for many museums and attractions during the COVID-19 era—and this practice has largely stuck around. Today, timed access is used not just for health reasons but also as a tool for crowd control.
The Wall Street Journal warns that many popular tourist sites now require advance reservations and can sell out. If you don’t plan ahead, you could end up having to book a private tour at a steep price just to get into places like the Louvre or the Sistine Chapel.
In an age of dynamic pricing, smart algorithms, and global crowds, no single travel hack will guarantee you savings. Instead of following outdated “rules,” rely on smart tools, common sense, and professional advice. And most importantly—plan early and don’t fall for the Tuesday myth.
This article was prepared based on materials published by The Wall Street Journal. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: The Wall Street Journal.
All rights to the original text belong to The Wall Street Journal.
