A new survey by YouGov, commissioned by Flight Centre Canada, shows that consumers are packing their digital itineraries with mistakes that could derail their travel.
One in three Canadians (33%) admit to making critical errors while booking travel online. From selecting the wrong dates to mistaking Sydney, Nova Scotia, for Sydney, Australia, these missteps highlight the risks of the "click-and-go" approach to travel planning.
The Most Common Booking Blunders
- Booking flights too close together: 13%
- Incorrect travel dates: 10%
- Missed visa or entry requirements: 9%
- Wrong passenger details: 8%
- Mistaken accommodations: 7%
- Booking the wrong destination: 2%
The consequences include missed flights, denied boarding, or even thousands of dollars in non-refundable costs.
Who’s Booking?
Gen Z and Millennials are leading the pack with 42% reporting errors compared to 24% of Baby Boomers. Men are also more likely to make mistakes, at 37% versus 27% of women.
“Online booking can feel like a quick and convenient solution, but our data shows it’s also leading to big travel fails,” said Chadd Andre, Executive Vice President at Flight Centre Canada.
Despite the rise in digital booking platforms, nearly half (49%) of Canadians believe their travel experience is best with professional assistance, compared to 30% who trust online platforms alone.
"Anecdotally, we’re seeing an emerging trend where many travellers research destinations online but confirm their findings with our travel experts in stores," says Andre. "This method marries the convenience of technology with the reliability of human expertise."
