Oh my, how airline ticket purchasing has changed!  Today, travellers are lucky enough to be able to make decisions on a whole gamut of things – where they sit, what they eat, what privileges they enjoy, how much luggage they get to check in and what insurance coverage they need. Some booking sites also offer hotel and car rental bookings as add-ons.

The reality is, travellers today are empowered like never before.

But navigating these menus of purchase options can be sometimes traumatic for travellers, especially for those new to this system of air travel. So, keep in mind these 3 rules when purchasing additional options:

Rule #1 – It’s YOUR choice   

You don’t have to take everything on offer – you get to choose what fits your travel style, your travel budget, and that particular trip.  The secret is to keep track of what you’re adding as you go – most airline websites will show the running totals, so read what’s on offer carefully, and then decide.

Rule #2 – If unsure, buy later

Most airline booking sites allow you to go back later to add on extras, so when in doubt, buy the basic ticket first, then review the extras on offer and make an additional purchase using your booking reference number. Don’t be forced into making a decision under pressure; it won’t be easy to retract the purchase later.

Rule #3 – Visualise your journey

Think carefully about extras like priority seating, extra baggage allowances and food choices.  If you’re planning a shopping trip, you’re probably travelling light on your outbound flight, so reserve additional baggage options for the return journey.  If you’re on a night flight, you may not need a meal. And if you’re flying to a destination where immigration queues are long, getting a priority seat for quick disembarkation may not make a difference – you’ll be caught in a queue anyway.  

Visualise your journey, and limit yourself to those extras that really make a difference to the travel experience. And remember, if any additional services have been added onto your purchase without your consent, contact your airline before you fly.