So you’ve always dreamed of staying at luxurious hotels and eating amazing food and be treated like royalty when you travel? We completely understand. It’s the best way to travel, of course. But we also know that while you may have the budget to splurge on fabulous trips, you may not WANT to spend your splurges carelessly. Here are 4 ways to save on luxury travel experiences to help you put your money where it really matters.
1. Save on flights if you’re not traveling too far. If you’re flying from one part of the Continental U.S. to another, choose cheaper flights. We prefer Southwest Airlines for many reasons – fair prices, 2 free checked bags, seldom delayed, etc.
2. Save on meals. Don’t get us wrong. We encourage you to go to the fine dining restaurants, always. But there are ways to dine on amazing food without paying full price. Share meals when you can (especially if there’s a free bread basket – ha!), or eat at fancier places for lunch, when you often have very similar menu options at a lower price, instead of dinner when everything is full-sized and full price.
3. Save on alcohol. You should always check with your hotel’s policy first. But if it’s allowed, go to the local liquor store and grab some drinks to enjoy in your hotel room. Sure, you might buy one drink at dinner with your meal. But after dinner, you can head back to your room and relax with a bottle of wine that doesn’t cost you $19 per glass.
4. Get organized. Yes, it may sound weird. But being super organized with your trip planning can most definitely help you save money. The better you have your trip planned, the less unexpected costs that will arise. Like spontaneity? Laugh, if you will, but PLAN your spontaneous moments. Get most of your trip planned out and organized. Then keep one afternoon free so that you can decide on something last minute.
