20 Mistakes Travelers Need to Stop Making

Travelers looking for a smooth vacation should avoid making these mistakes before, during and after hitting the road.

Key pitfalls to watch for are under-budgeting and running up debt, not having a travel agent to advocate for you and clogging security lanes with oversize baggage and prohibited items.

Bring the right size liquids, take your shoes off and get that laptop out of your bag, you're holding up the line.

If you don't want to do that, get TSA Pre-Check.

If you fly frequently, it's worth the money to be able to breeze through security without taking out your laptop and taking off your shoes.

Take it one step further and get Clear, which speeds up security screening even more or clear customs in a breeze with Global Entry.

If you want to avoid sitting in the middle seat, make sure you have a confirmed spot on the airplane.

Flyers who pay the base price for a ticket are going to wind up with the worst spots on the aircraft and no one is going to switch.

Want the best deals, flights and perks when you travel? Get a travel agent. They will sift through all the deals, specials and amenities and figure out which ones are just right for you.

They will also help out when something goes wrong and are an advocate for you with airlines, hotels and more.

Buy travel insurance. It's cheap and can really help if something happens on your trip. There are more options than ever now so you don't have to pay for things that you don't need.

You don't have to keep complicated spreadsheets to get the most rewards. Choose a credit card, an airline and a hotel company that are closely aligned with your travels and use them whenever convenient. You will be surprised how fast your points accumulate and you can use them for upgrades and extra perks in the future.

If you have specific days that you need to travel, booking sooner rather than later is the way to go. Don't wait to see if there's a better deal later on.

Don't come home with thousands in credit card debt because you didn't consider how much you have to pay for extras such as activities, meals and more. Give yourself a budget and try to stick to it. Even if you want to be spontaneous, look up some activities you are thinking of trying just to have an idea of the cost.

Make a list, check it twice. Do you have your prescriptions, your credit cards, passports and wallets? There are a few essentials that you must have when you travel and a credit card for everything else.

Don't be that tourist who always makes a faux pas. Find out about local customs, such as how much people tip, drinking laws, etc.

There are a number of supplements that you can take to avoid jet lag or take the edge off jet lag, but just being prepared and planning around your circadian rhythms will make your trip more enjoyable.

Check with your mobile carrier so that you are aware of fees and if you will be able to use your phone in your destination. Remember, most hotels and public spaces offer Wi-Fi so you don't need to splash out so much cash for high cellular fees.

If you are traveling out of the country, most places will require you to have the local plug. Bring an adapter so that you can use your devices. Many hotels offer them, but it's rarely a guarantee they will have the one you need.

If you can, get a multi-country adapter that also has USB ports.

Even the savviest travelers can fall victim to pickpockets and scammers, especially in places like airports and train stations where tired travelers are easy victims. Book transportation ahead of time and have a plan when you arrive to avoid making a bad decision.

Watch out for your belongings in touristy places and don't leave valuables exposed or unsupervised.

Plan ahead by weighing your luggage, paying bag fees in advance and bringing the right size carry-ons. You can buy a portable scale to bring with you to ensure bags are still underweight on the way home.

Double-check that the things you bought or were given can go in your carry on luggage if you plan to take it on the plane. Visit customs and border protection's website to find out what you can and cannot pack.

There are constantly stories about passengers behaving badly. Some drink too much and create flight delays and some give flight attendants a hard time. Whatever happens, try your best to handle the troubles of travel with as much grace as possible.

Don't forget to find someone to watch your pets or somewhere for them to stay while you are gone. It's especially hard to find a place for them at the last minute when you are traveling for the holidays.

Bringing them with? Make sure you have booked their space on the plane and have the proper travel gear for them before you set out for your trip.

Eliminate the worry of what's going on at your home with a security system. These days it's easy and inexpensive to install doorbell cameras and program lights.

Remember, this is your vacation. Don't beat yourself up if you forget something or where you are staying isn't exactly as you hoped. Make the best of the experience so you can have fun and relax.