Three booking habits that cost me thousands until I learned better

I used to think I was being clever by booking the cheapest options, but I was actually hemorrhaging money in hidden ways.

• First mistake: non-refundable everything. I'd save £20 by booking non-refundable hotels, then lose £200 when plans changed. Now I pay slightly more for flexible bookings, and I've actually saved money overall because life happens and plans shift.

• Second mistake: booking accommodation far from city centers to save money. Sounds smart until you're spending £15 daily on transport, wasting an hour each way, and missing out on evening wandering because you're stuck in the suburbs. A central location costs more upfront but saves money and time overall.

• Third mistake: separate bookings for flights and hotels, thinking I'm getting better deals. Then my flight gets cancelled, and I'm stuck with a non-refundable hotel I can't use. Now I book packages when possible because you get way better protection if something goes wrong. The slight extra cost is basically insurance.

Sometimes the cheaper option is just more expensive in disguise