Six in ten Australians admit to making costly mistakes when booking their own trips, according to new research. From paying too much to booking unsafe accommodation, losing refunds or missing connections, the data underscores the financial and personal risks of going it alone.
This makes the role of travel agents more important than ever, offering expertise and oversight that can prevent these mistakes and provide Aussies with the security of professional support.
Costly mistakes stack up
Of the more than 1,000 surveyed by Insure&Go, 58 per cent reported serious booking errors. The most common problem, cited by 26 per cent, was missing discounts by booking at the wrong time. Other issues included choosing accommodation in unsafe or inconvenient areas (13 per cent), taking out insurance with inadequate coverage (11 per cent), and paying for non-refundable products they later couldn’t use (14 per cent).
Younger Aussies were the most exposed. Almost 8 in 10 (78 per cent) of under-30s admitted to mistakes. More than a third missed discounts, one in five booked unsafe accommodation, and almost a quarter chose unsuitable insurance. One in five also lost money on non-refundable fares or hotels after cancelling.
Insure&Go Commercial & Marketing Director David Mayo says these errors can have lasting consequences.
“It’s easy to overlook what seem like minor details in your planning, but these can make or break your trip,” he said.
“You need to know, for instance, whether your travel insurance covers the activities you have planned or what’s buried in your travel provider’s cancellation policy fine print.”
The risks behind the clicks
While many Australians feel confident navigating booking platforms, the survey shows that confidence does not equal success.
Common oversights included underestimating travel time between destinations, failing to check baggage allowances, and overlooking cancellation policies.
Younger Aussies were far more likely to use AI tools or itinerary generators, but this group also reported the highest rate of errors.
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Opportunity for expert support
The findings point to a clear opportunity for travel professionals. Travellers may be attracted to the flexibility and control of planning their own trips, but the data reveals how costly those decisions can be. Missed deals, poor insurance choices and unsafe bookings are all areas where expert oversight makes a measurable difference.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Six in ten Australians say they’ve made expensive mistakes booking their own trips. For travel agents, that’s a powerful reminder that while online platforms promise freedom, professional guidance is still the safeguard that saves clients money, protects their safety and ensures peace of mind.
