Tech expert reveals 5 travel mistakes that set you up for a vacation disaster

Quick travel checklist: Pack an extra phone charger, put your boarding pass on your phone and bring more snacks than you think you'll need.

I wish tech advice were that simple. But the implications are a lot worse, too. 

From booking to setting off, here are five mistakes that'll tank your vacation—and smart advice for smooth sailing.

A tech expert has revealed five common mistakes people make when traveling - and one of them is using no-name sites to find killer deals on flights

1. Buying flights on a no-name site with a KILLER deal

You search for airline tickets online or reply to an email. Overwhelmed by all the sites and apps, you pick the cheapest option.

The site promises a great rate, so you pay for the ticket. You book what appeared to be a confirmed seat and get receive an email that you're all set. 

You visit the airline's main site, enter your information and boom — there's your reserved seat.

The reserved hold runs out two weeks later, and your seat evaporates. You find this out and try to get help from the airline. Usually, they can do nothing for you since only a reservation was actually booked.

Crooks are great at creating fake apps and sites to rip you off. Fortunately, there are signs to watch for that can help to avoid them.

● Check official resources: The Better Business Bureau can be a great aid in determining whether a business is legit. The agency lists real companies; if you can't find the one you're working with, it's best to run away.

● Online reviews and ratings: Read online reviews and ratings on sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp or Google. Extremely positive and negative reviews could be bogus. Watch for a balance of reviews and consistent themes.

● Accreditation and licensing: Many legitimate travel agencies are members of recognized industry organizations like the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or have IATA (International Air Transport Association) accreditation. Check for credentials on their site.

● Transparent pricing: Legitimate sites are clear and upfront about all costs. Beware of sites that have hidden fees or don't clearly explain costs.

● Secure payment options: Reputable travel sites offer secure, well-known payment options. Be wary of sites that only allow bank transfers or money orders.

2. Charging at a public charger in the airport

A public charging station feels like a godsend when your battery is dying, and you don't have anywhere to plug in, but they are shockingly easy to tamper with. 

With just a USB cord, a cybercriminal can install malware or suck data from every device that plugs in to charge.

If you're desperate for juice, you can use a USB connection safely … with the right cable. Pack a charge-only cable for your trip. They're cheap, compact and don't allow for data transfer.

Don't keep your AirDrop on public when traveling

And if your phone is a few years old or newer, it'll ask if you want to 'trust this device' or 'share data' when you plug in. Always say no when traveling! 

These options allow data communication between your phone and the charging hardware, which could be infected malware.

Choose the 'charge only option.' If that option's not available, keep walking.

3. Leaving AirDrop set to public

Keyloggers keep track of every single thing you type, and criminals love to pass them along using Apple's AirDrop feature. 

Don't accept drops from strangers in flight.

On your iPhone:

● Go to Settings > General > AirDrop.

You can set your phone to reject all AirDrop requests, only allow them from contacts or allow from everyone. (That last one is not the best idea for travel.)

On a Mac:

● Click Control Center in the menu bar (it's the icon with two toggles).

● Click AirDrop. From here, you can turn it on or off and choose who can send items.

4. Handing your phone to a stranger to snap a pic

My friend Mary was on vacation in Rome with her 14-year-old daughter. 

They stopped to take selfies and a seemingly kind stranger — a man in his 30s — offered to take their picture.

Mary punched in her PIN, handed the phone over and the supposed Good Samaritan snatched it and ran away.

One of the major mistakes is handing your smartphone to a stranger while on vacation. The Good Samaritan may just end up running off with your phone

 Your phone is way more valuable than just the amount someone could sell it for. (Though that's a pretty enticing amount if you have a newer phone.) 

Think about all the accounts connected to it: your bank and other financial apps, email inbox and private text messages containing who knows what.

There are a few simple ways you can protect yourself:

● When you're out in public, shield your PIN. If you need to open your phone in front of people, use Face ID or your fingerprint.

● Don't use an easy PIN, either. No four digits! Make it as long as you can remember.

● If you don't want to use Face ID, use a passcode with numbers and letters if your phone allows it.

5. Forgetting to check roaming rates/service

Ouch, your aching wallet. Before you hit the road, sea or skies, log onto your mobile provider's website or call them up to find out exactly what you're entitled to when you travel. You may only get service in certain countries, at certain times or up to a specific limit.

Know that in advance, not once you get hit with the bill. Depending on what you find, you may be better off getting a travel SIM or eSIM card.