中

5 Things to Check Before Your May Day Trip—I Skipped #3 Last Year and Regretted It

Money Saving, May Day Travel, Travel Tips, Holiday Prep —

Ladies, May Day holiday is just one week away!

I’ve already started packing, and let me walk you through the mistakes I made last year. Seriously, I skipped item #3 and ended up paying double at the airport. Still hurts thinking about it.

Item 1: Check cancellation policies for flights and hotels

Don’t just book the cheapest option! Read the cancellation policy first. Many platforms now offer super-low ‘non-refundable’ fares that look tempting, but if your plans change, that money’s gone.

My advice: prioritize ‘free cancellation within X hours’ options, even if they cost slightly more. Too many variables during holiday season—bad weather, sudden overtime, or just not feeling it anymore. Give yourself an exit strategy.

Also, screenshot your confirmation pages after booking. I had a hotel once claim they never received my reservation. Thank goodness for screenshots, or I’d have been sleeping on the street.

Item 2: Did you turn off all appliances?

Not just switches—unplug! Water heaters, AC units, TVs—best to unplug them completely or switch off the main breaker. Safety first, plus you’ll save on electricity.

My neighbor left for a week last year with the water heater constantly maintaining temperature. Their electric bill was 200 yuan higher. That’s a nice meal out right there.

Keep the fridge plugged in though, but eat or give away perishables beforehand. I once came home to a tripped breaker and a fridge full of rotten meat. Spent an entire afternoon cleaning. That smell—I still gag thinking about it.

Item 3: Mobile data and roaming (MOST IMPORTANT!)

This is where I got burned last year. Traveled to Yunnan, didn’t notice I’d hit my data cap, auto-roaming kicked in, and I got hit with an extra 300 yuan on my bill.

Check these NOW:

  • Did you buy enough data?
  • If going abroad, is roaming enabled? Do you know the rates?
  • Set up data limit alerts?

Call your carrier before departure to confirm, or buy a holiday-specific package in their app. Never assume ‘it should be enough.’ Between photos and videos, you’ll use triple your normal data.

Item 4: Medications and daily essentials

Cold medicine, stomach remedies, band-aids, sunscreen—these cost more away from home, and you might not find what you need. I also pack a thermometer and small bottle of disinfectant alcohol.

Some game-changers I recommend:

  • Disposable underwear (you know, so convenient)
  • Compressed towels (don’t trust hotel ones)
  • Power bank (available everywhere for rent, but having your own is peace of mind)

Item 5: Who gets your spare key?

Don’t laugh—friends have actually locked themselves out!

My system: leave a spare with a trusted neighbor or friend, plus photo your keys and save to cloud storage (loss prevention). And if you have plants or pets, arrange care beforehand.

One mental health tip: don’t overpack your itinerary. Everywhere’s crowded during May Day. Instead of checking off ten attractions, deeply experience two or three. Travel’s meaning isn’t ‘I went there’ but ‘I felt something.’

Where are you planning to go this May Day?

Related Posts