So many things can go wrong. I once made reservations 10 months ahead on British Air, and almost missed the flight because they changed flight numbers without telling me. When I got to Spain, we were denied a room because they misread a travel agent code. It took a call to the USA to straighten that out. Thank goodness the travel agent office was still open.

I always confirm everything (under the ruse of asking a question) - but then I'm the kind of person who checks for my airline tickets and passport about seventeen times in the airport before I check-in! I do it for my own peace of mind.

I always reconfirm by email now.

However, one time I did not as I was told by the booking agent NOT to reconfirm. I didn't want to bother them, so I didn't.... When we got to Prague our hotel was closed for business and being repaired due to a flood in the basement the week before!

To cut a long story short we were booked into another hotel by the agent (who hadn't told us) so all was well in the end. If I had reconfirmed I would have found out all this information before we left and saved us a bit of hassle.

I do re-confirm before I leave but never re-confirm my flight home while I'm on my trip. BUT...our friends, who re-confirmed everything before they left and had boarding passes,arrived at Perugia airport for their return trip home. When they arrived at the airport it was closed. Alitalia had never contact them or their emergency contact (and never notified them when they checked in for their flight to Italy) and told them they should have re-confirmed before their return trip. I totally disagree with that because Alitalia could have contacted their emergency contact. I feel it was their responsibility but of course they won't take the blame. The fact is at 6:00 am the taxi driver had to find a bus or train for them to get them to Rome....Alitalia did nothing.