Every trip starts with a plan, but almost no trip follows it exactly. A flight delay, a bag that never shows up, and suddenly the vacation you planned for is off schedule and costs much more than expected.
To see how often trips go sideways and what it costs, the Travel Bulletin team surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults about the mishaps they've experienced, what those mishaps cost, whether they were covered, how their travel habits have changed because of past travel issues, and more.
In this article
The Shortcut
81% of people have experienced at least one major travel mishap, from flight delays to lost luggage.
Flight delays of 3+ hours are the most commonly cited mishap (57%), followed by cancellations (38%) and luggage problems (32%).
The average mishap costs travelers $448 out of pocket.
More than half of people who had a mishap (55%) had no travel insurance or protection to cover the cost. Just 10% were fully covered.
Over a quarter of respondents (27%) have missed all or part of a wedding, funeral, or other milestone event because of a travel mishap.
Flight Delays, Weather Headaches, and Other Common Travel Mishaps
We’ve all had something go wrong during vacation, and while no two travel nightmares are the same, some are more common than others.
If you've ever spent an evening camped out at an airport boarding gate, you're in good company. 57% of people have sat through a flight delay of 3 hours or more, making it the most common mishap travelers experience. Flight cancellations (38%) and lost, damaged, or delayed luggage (32%) round out the top three, followed by missed connecting flights (23%).
While flying is the primary cause for issues, not every problem happens at the airport. 18% have had a reservation change without notice, and 16% have checked into lodging that was different from what they thought they had booked.
If one of these situations has happened to you, it’s not just you... 81% of respondents said they’ve personally experienced at least one of these issues before.
What Travel Mishaps Actually Cost
The cost of a bad travel day is more than just wasted time and frustration. These mishaps have real costs and headaches, like rebooking new flights and rescheduling reservations.
Fixing travel mishaps costs $448 on average, with most of those costs coming straight out of travelers' pockets. 55% of travelers said they had no travel insurance or airline or hotel protection covering any part of the cost, leaving them to foot the bill entirely on their own.
A lucky 10% said their problem didn’t require any money to fix, while an unlucky 11% had travel insurance, but their specific issue wasn’t covered. 12% said insurance covered part of the costs needed to fix the travel problem, while 10% were fully covered.
How a Bad Experience Changes the Way You Travel
Experiencing a major travel issue changes how you pack, how early you show up, and which airlines you'll never book again.
After having a flight issue, the most common (35%) change travelers make is booking refundable or flexible fares. 28% say they now arrive at the airport earlier than they used to, and a quarter have sworn off certain airlines and vendors entirely after a bad experience. Only 22% of respondents said they haven't changed their travel behaviors after a mishap, meaning the majority have been impacted enough to make a lasting change.
The Most Common Mistakes Travelers Make
Not every mishap is the airline or hotel’s fault. Plenty of travelers have no one to blame but themselves for something going wrong during their trip.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) said they did something wrong that negatively affected their journey. The most common mistake is packing incorrectly or forgetting an important item.
While forgetting to pack something can usually be solved with a trip to a nearby store, missing your transportation can have a much larger impact on a trip. Among those who have missed a flight, train, or bus while traveling, 43% blame traffic or a transportation delay, 19% underestimated how long check-in and security take, 17% simply lost track of time, and 13% said they overslept.
Missed Weddings, Funerals, and Family Moments
Some trips can't be rescheduled. A mishap that causes someone to miss an important event such as a wedding, funeral, or family gathering has unfortunate consequences.
More than a quarter of respondents, 27%, say they have missed all or part of an important trip or milestone event because of a travel mishap. Of that group, most say missing the event wasn't their fault. Nearly two-thirds (64%) say that something completely out of their control, such as bad weather or a canceled flight, kept them from experiencing their trip as planned. More than a quarter (26%) said they were entirely to blame for missing an important event, while 10% said both external and internal issues played a part.
Protect Your Next Trip
A few minutes of trip prep can save you money, and maybe a missed moment.
Know what you’re covered for before you fly: Travel insurance can be confusing, so make sure you know what’s in the fine print of your policy before departure.
Know what you’re owed if a major delay happens: If your flight experiences a major delay, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline. Make sure you know what you’re owed and when in case your trip hits this kind of a snag.
Track your luggage for peace of mind: Lost luggage can derail a trip, but using a top-rated luggage tracker can put your mind at ease and give you a major resource for fixing the problem if your bag is misplaced.
Methodology
The Travel Bulletin team surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in September 2026.
