If you’re seeing the error message “Please add trips to the cart first!” on the checkout page immediately after booking a trip, this indicates that your cart session is not being preserved correctly during the redirect from the trip page to checkout.
What causes this issue? #
This problem typically occurs due to one or both of the following reasons:
1. Page Caching #
When you use caching plugins or server-level caching, the checkout page may be served from cache instead of being generated dynamically. Cached pages cannot access real-time cart session data, which results in the checkout page appearing empty even though you just added a trip to your cart.
2. Cookie Restrictions #
Tripzzy uses cookies to maintain your cart session across different pages. If cookies are blocked or restricted at the server level, the cart data cannot be transferred from the trip page to the checkout page, causing the session to be lost during the redirect.
How to fix this issue #
Solution 1: Exclude the Checkout Page from Caching #
If you’re using a caching plugin (such as WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache, or similar), you need to add your checkout page to the cache exclusion list:
Step-by-step instructions:
- Navigate to your caching plugin’s settings in your WordPress dashboard
- Look for options like “Never Cache URLs,” “Page Cache Exclusions,” or “Cache Ignore List”
- Add your checkout page URL to the exclusion list. For example:
/tz-checkout/- Your full checkout page URL (e.g.,
https://yoursite.com/tz-checkout/)
- Clear your cache completely after making this change
- Test by adding a trip to the cart and proceeding to checkout
Note: The exact steps may vary depending on your caching plugin. Consult your specific plugin’s documentation if you’re unsure where to find these settings.
Solution 2: Check Server-Level Cookie Settings #
If the issue persists after excluding the checkout page from cache, your server may be blocking cookies:
- Contact your hosting provider and ask them to verify that cookies are not being blocked for your domain
- Request that they check if any security settings or firewall rules are preventing cookie creation or transmission
- Ensure that your SSL certificate is properly configured, as mixed content (HTTP/HTTPS) can sometimes interfere with cookie handling
- Verify that your site’s cookie policy settings aren’t inadvertently blocking necessary session cookies
Additional Troubleshooting Steps #
If you’ve tried both solutions above and still experience the issue:
- Clear browser cookies and cache on the user end and test again
- Disable other plugins temporarily to check for conflicts
- Check for JavaScript errors in your browser console that might prevent cart data from being saved
- Verify cart and checkout pages are published and accessible
Important Note #
The checkout page should always be excluded from any caching mechanism to ensure smooth booking functionality. Session-based pages like these require dynamic content generation and cannot work properly when served from cache.
If you continue to experience issues after trying these solutions, please contact Tripzzy support with details about your hosting environment, caching setup, and any error messages you’re seeing in your browser console.
