Which? We put 8 viral holiday hacks to the test - here are the results
Nov 28, 2025
Join travel journalist Lauren Bell as she debunks popular holiday hacks that flood social media. She reveals that gifting chocolates for upgrades is futile and that checking in late can surprisingly net better seats on Ryanair. Discover why booking flights on Tuesdays doesn’t actually save money, and learn that midweek isn’t always the cheapest time to fly. Plus, find out how haggling with Airbnb hosts can yield discounts, while hotel upgrade emails mostly flop. Tune in for money-saving insights!
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Late Check-In Sometimes Wins Better Seats
- Lauren Bell tested checking in late on Ryanair and Wizz Air and often got emergency-exit or aisle seats close to departure.
- She warns there’s a risk of being bumped if you leave check-in too late because airlines overbook flights.
Don’t Book By Day—Use Price Alerts
- Do not rely on booking on a Tuesday to get cheaper flights; modern pricing no longer follows that pattern.
- Instead, set up price alerts on comparison sites and use Google Flights’ price indicator to spot good deals.
Cheapest Day Depends On Route And Date
- There’s no universally cheapest day to fly; prices vary by route and date and can even spike midweek in summer.
- Use month-view tools on Google Flights, Kayak or Skyscanner to identify the cheapest specific days for your trip.