Add inflated airfares and you’re likely booking accommodation or flights on the go, whipping out your trusty smartphone and credit card on the bus on your way to work.

And you’re not alone. According to a Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in Australia in 2022, 62 per cent made purchases on their smartphones.

If it’s not too late, here’s why you shouldn’t book a flight on your phone.

1. You’re not giving the booking your full attention

Smartphones are great and I feel instantly naked if I leave mine somewhere. It’s my wallet, transport (with Uber), calendar, camera, holds years of photo albums, my eclectic music collection and saves me from hours of boredom.

I usually feel a bit uneasy about making big or serious purchases on my phone unless I have to, and if I have to, I’m usually in a rush. Either pouncing on a deal when I’m out or buying something in a hurry because it slipped my mind (like that last minute Halloween costume, thanks Amazon).

Between multiple tabs, switching tabs, comparing prices and trying to complete the purchase before it’s time to hop off the train, it’s all too easy for errors to occur.

Of course my smartphone is more than capable of processing a flight or big purchase, but a smaller screen also means smaller font, smaller terms and conditions, meaning I miss details I’d otherwise see on my laptop or desktop.

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2. You could be paying more

One minute you’re scrolling through Instagram and next minute, you’re paying for an overpriced fare after clicking off an Instagram ad. Brands use a clever strategy called drip pricing where they suck you in with an initial price, like ‘Tokyo, from $599’. The actual fare is only $599 one-way and if you only fly with the shirt on your back, forgo an iPad loaded with movies, you’re happy to BYO snacks and water, and sit anywhere that’s vacant.

There’s a reason why drip pricing is used. The U.S Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates that airlines raked in $8.2 billion in 2021 in baggage fees alone. A 2021 study in the journal Marketing Science found that shoppers tend to make suboptimal decisions under drip pricing situations. Why? Firstly, because humans are inherently lazy and after we’ve carefully selected our seat, chosen our luggage allowance, planned our holiday, given our friend our flight time to come pick us up at the airport, we’re reluctant to see all that effort go to waste. Usually, we go through with the purchase because it’s too much hassle to start again.

Besides – we assume – the price is surely still lower than a competitor’s.

In reality, we’re still captivated with the initial price without the extra fees, but the price is usually lower with another airline.

3. Your connection isn’t secure

If you’re on-the-go, chances are you’re tapped into some free Wi-Fi. What comes with free Wi-Fi other than free data? Scammers. And they are just waiting for someone to enter their credit card details. It’s always best to make financial transactions from a secure connection, such as your workplace or home.

4. You’re probably not logged into your frequent flyer account

There are two problems with this. Number one, you’re not making use of your points which ultimately could save you money. Secondly, you’re not accumulating points for your booking. Sure, you can always claim them afterwards, but between the last minute shopping, ham-induced coma and Christmas hangover, it’s not going to be at the top of your list.

This article originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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