The Travel Hacks That Simply Don’t Work (and the Ones That Actually Do)

Yes, I am always asked about hacks...so here we go.

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Photo by Caroline Selfors

I never look at TikTok. But inevitably — you know that friend (you know who you are) — the one who starts every sentence with “I saw this thing on TikTok…” and then shoves their phone in your face while some influencer with suspiciously perfect teeth demonstrates how freezing your hotel key will magically reset it, or some person three inches from the camera, nose hairs waving in the breeze, shouting that flights are cheaper if you book at midnight on a Tuesday.

And it’s not just The Social Media. The travel magazines are guilty too. Every other month, they run the same recycled nonsense as if the world’s survival depends on it: roll your clothes, tie a ribbon on your suitcase, put a dryer sheet in your bag. You try it and suddenly your clothes look like they went through a tornado, your bag smells like grandma’s dryer, and the ribbon is somehow lost under a pile of other black suitcases. Mess.

It’s a cottage industry of shortcuts — most of which don’t actually save you time, money, or dignity. Half of these so-called hacks exist only to generate clicks. The other half are old tricks dressed up as “life-changing advice.” And somehow, magazines, blogs, and influencers manage to make it look like you’re failing at life if you don’t implement every single one.

Yet, buried in this circus, there are a few hacks that actually work.

So, Let’s Go - Here Are The Travel Hacks That Don’t Work

Starting with the pillow flies for free hack, I hope never to encounter this myself.

“Book your flight on a Tuesday at midnight.”
Airlines do not convene a secret council at 11:59 p.m. every Monday to slash fares. Prices fluctuate like mood swings in a toddler. If you save money, congratulations: you won the lottery. But somewhere, a magazine will print this as “Expert Advice” with a photo of a yawning millennial clutching a latte.

“Freeze your hotel key to make it work again.”
No. Just… no. The magnetic strip isn’t temperature-sensitive; it just hates you. Meanwhile, the influencer demonstrating this hack will stare into your soul like they’ve unlocked the secrets of the universe.

“Roll, don’t fold.”
Travel magazines swear this is space-saving sorcery. Reality: you now own clothes that look like they survived a washing machine apocalypse.

“Wear a suit to get upgraded.”
I’ve never heard of this actually working for anyone - also suit, seriously? Airlines upgrade based on loyalty status, not your cosplay of a corporate spy… unless, of course, you’ve amassed 3 million points, in which case congratulations, you are the travel elite and possibly immortal. But you can bet the next “Top 25 Hacks Every Traveler Must Know” listicle will feature it, complete with a man in a stiff suit standing in a hotel lobby, looking like he just solved world hunger.

“Put cling film on your toiletries.”
Because wrestling with plastic wrap is everyone’s idea of fun. Meanwhile, the demo video will show someone peeling it off with the concentration of a bomb technician. Your shampoo? Still leaking. Your sanity? Gone. Although my mother wraps her clothes in plastic and insists that it makes it not wrinkle, I am ignoring her advice…

“Tie a ribbon on your suitcase.”
Congratulations: you now have a black bag that looks identical to 47 others circling the carousel, except yours has a red ribbon spinning like it’s in some sad luggage ballet.

“Always use the hotel safe.”
Sure. Tiny, barely-locking box. Full of false security and a stock photo of someone holding it like it’s Fort Knox. Also you will never remember your code, I promise.

“Sleep at the airport to save money.”
Fluorescent lights! Vacuuming at 3 a.m.! Announcements about abandoned luggage! Your back will hate you, your dignity will hate you, and the next magazine will still print “17 Hacks to Save $40 on Lodging!” like it’s Nobel-worthy.

“Put a dryer sheet in your suitcase.”
Fresh-smelling clothes? Only if you consider toxic plastic cheap perfume masquerading as laundry scent “fresh.” Otherwise, congratulations: your bag now smells like a department-store Yankee candle on a bad day.

“Drink lots of water to fight jet lag.”
Congratulations, you now have the bladder of a toddler.

“Pretend it’s your honeymoon to get upgrades.”
Desperate. Sad. And yes, some listicles will still call this a “romance hack.”

“Always carry traveler’s cheques.”
If a magazine tells you to do this, check if it was printed in 1997.

“Collect loyalty points like your life depends on it.”
Because nothing says freedom like obsessively tracking every airline and hotel program, only to discover you need 187,000 points for a flight that costs $423. You’ll spend months gaming points, comparing tiers, and calculating bonus multipliers, and then — plot twist — the “free” upgrade is gone because some corporate algorithm changed the rules. But magazines and influencers will still preach this like it’s the secret to eternal travel bliss.

“Use straws to organize your necklaces.”
Sure, if you’re Prue Leith from Bake Off and own enough colorful necklaces to open your own jewelry store. Otherwise, contorting straws to keep a few chains untangled is just sad, ridiculous, and yet somehow a staple on every “Top 20 Travel Hacks” listicle.

“Tie your bag to a chair in a café to stop theft.”
You will either trip over it yourself or terrify everyone around you. Also: not effective.

“Only pack neutral colors to mix-and-match.”
Yeah, because a week of muted taupes and beige will make you feel so stylish while you silently mourn your wardrobe choices.

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