When to Splurge (and When to Save) While Traveling
- Devyn
- Jan 10, 2019
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 1, 2019
I tend to stress that traveling can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. It’s a balancing act to plan out a trip that covers all the dreamy things you want to do while still taking your budget into consideration. Most lessons on travel purchases are learned in hindsight – either kicking yourself for buying something you shouldn’t have or regretting not forking out the cash for something that could have been fantastic. As someone who has experienced both situations, it seemed my duty to roundup my list of things you should definitely avoid buying and things that get my seal of approval for purchasing. Hopefully this helps you navigate those scenarios when you aren’t sure whether to buy or not!
Don't Pay For: Baggage Fees
95% of your travels will not require you to pack more than a carry on. Unless you're heading somewhere that calls for special clothing/equipment (like needing boots and a winter coat for cold weather destinations), you can make do with your allotted carry on. If your plane ticket includes the cost of a checked bag, by all means take advantage of it, but don't waste $50+ bucks to be an overpacker. Check out my favorite HERE on how I learned to stop being an overpacker.
Do Splurge On: Seat Assignments
Some airfare deals come with the trade off that you can't pick a seat ahead of time. Rather, you'll be assigned a seat the day you fly. Unless you are totally okay being stuck in a long haul middle seat or being separated from your travel companions, opt to pick your seats ahead of time. I personally get very anxious flying (even after being on planes more times than I can count) so being able to grab a window seat is a big help in calming my nerves and always worth the spend.
Don't Pay For: Overpriced Meals
Restaurants near popular landmarks or touristy zones are usually overpriced since they can get away with it. Don't pay for a mediocre meal that costs more than it should. Take the time to scout out joints favored by locals or venture away from sightseeing areas. Ask your hotel front desk or locals you encounter for their top picks.
Do Splurge On: One Amazing Meal
Treat yourself to one meal - the best meal - that's bound to be memorable. This doesn't necessarily mean it has to be a fancy, expensive restaurant. Ask around or do your research to find a restaurant that might be out of the way or require a reservation and make an effort to dine there. Splurge - get appetizers, order the whole fish, go with a bottle for the table. Some of my best travel memories have been over incredible meals, from seafood shacks along the shore to Michelin starred restaurants in the heart of Paris.
Don't Pay For: Upgraded Transportation
Unless you're traveling for a while, there's no need to upgrade to a higher cabin class on trains or seaside transportation (think ferries). You can tough it out in economy for a few hours. It's not worth paying sometimes double the fare to get a slightly cozier seat and dedicated snack cabin. That's money better spent elsewhere (like that amazing meal we just talked about).
Do Splurge On: Upgraded Sightseeing
Some landmarks or attractions offer VIP/upgraded experiences or line-hopper tickets at a premium. If you have the few bucks to spend, go for it. You'll either bypass a line that can take hours to get through (think Eiffel Tower) or you'll end up with a remarkable experience that's extra special. When we decided to go on the London Eye, we discovered a VIP Champagne Experience wasn't that much more. We ended up getting to skip the line, have fewer people in our pod, and got champagne and cocktails to boot! The upgrade was well worth the extra pounds we paid.
Don't Pay For: Room Service
When the midnight munchies hit, it's tempting to grab the hotel menu and order up a feast (or a bottle of some adult beverage). Room service will almost always include some spendy service/delivery charge plus an automatic tip. The markups on the food and drink are also crazy. Resist the temptation and either hit up a nearby market or head to the hotel bar.
Do Splurge On: A View
Waking up every morning to an incredible view is something that will stick with you. It'll make your trip feel extra luxurious and special, too. If you have the capacity or are on the fence, go with the upgraded room. You won't regret it. Pro Tip: If you're celebrating a special occasion (honeymoon, proposal, birthday) call the hotel to confirm your reservation a week or two in advance and mention it. You might end up with a free upgrade upon check-in, especially if you are visiting at an off-time.
Don't Pay For: Laundry Service
Once, out of desperation and laziness, we decided to have housekeeping launder a few dirty clothes. We expected it to be overpriced, but were still shocked when we ended up with a hefty ($100+) charge on our bill for the convenience. Make do with sink washing or hit up a local laundromat if you need to clean up your clothing.
Do Splurge On: Hotel Pickups
If you take a tour, excursion, or daytrip, you sometimes have the option of getting picked up right from your hotel. Unless you know exactly where the meet-up spot is, pay the extra dollars for this option. It takes out the risk that you'll miss the tour because of unforeseen circumstances (like getting lost or the subway being full). It's also a relief knowing that you won't have to find your way back to the hotel after a tiring day of exploring and adventuring.
Don't Pay For: Massive Tours
Tours that cater to the masses are available in most destinations. These are usually coach buses with a guide that drives around from landmark to landmark. I have left every one of these tours disappointed. You feel like cattle being herded from photo op to photo op. You'll spend more time driving around than getting to see the sights. Pass on the crowded, hot bus filled with people desperate to take sub-par photos from a bus window. Grab a map and do your own walking tour instead.
Do Splurge On: Experiences
It's cool to see the sights and landmarks that cities have to offer. But it's all sort of...passive. Make time for experiences, since those will usually be the memories you come back to the most. Sign up for a cooking class or wine tasting. Go see a performance at a local theater. Book a chef's table at a restaurant. Get a massage on the shore.
Don’t Pay For: Trip Interruptions
I encourage all travelers (including soon-to-be-travelers) to have a travel-friendly credit card. You can benefit from a surge of points when you initially signup, avoid foreign transaction fees, and get the safety a credit card offers if it’s ever stolen. But the benefit many overlook is the travel insurance that comes with it. Participating card companies will step in and cover costs related to certain travel mishaps. Luggage missing for the third day? You usually can pick up clothing and essentials and be reimbursed. Suddenly sidelined with severe illness or weather the day of your departure? You can get your prepaid, nonrefundable costs (think hotels and tours) back. Sideline story: one time we had a flight delay caused by the airport itself (not the airline) that caused us to miss our connecting flight home. It was the last flight of the day so we were stuck in Atlanta overnight. The airline wouldn’t cover the cost of a hotel or meals because technically it wasn’t their fault. We were able to submit a claim on the unexpected hotel stay, plus the cost of dinner and breakfast, and have it totally refunded. Literally $200+ back in our wallets!
Do Splurge On: Insurance
Maybe, for whatever reason, you don’t have a credit card that offers travel insurance. I would strongly consider you pay for insurance opportunities. You can either pay for a blanket policy over your whole trip or purchase it on specific components (ex. most airlines will over insurance over your fares for an extra fee). Insurance is something you hope you never need to use. However, things happen and it’s nice to have that peace of mind in case anything goes wrong. Insurance can cover things from missing luggage to emergency medical situations and even total trip reimbursement. I’ve seen some plans as low as $20 – a small price to pay for something that can payout big time.
Don't Pay For: Pointless Souvenirs
It's nice to take a trinket home to remember your travels, but it's more likely to end up forgotten on a shelf collecting dust. Your photos and memories will be more valuable in the long run. If you really want to bring a memento home, make it meaningful and inexpensive. I'm obsessed with Christmas, so we started picking up an ornament from each country we visit. It's small, cheap, and always makes us reminisce when it comes time to decorate the tree.
Do Splurge On: That Bottle
Seeing the cost of a bottle of wine can immediately make you say "no thanks". But if you plan on having a drink or two and you're not alone, it's probably worth it to pick up a modestly priced bottle for the table. If my husband and I have two glasses of wine each, we usually end up paying more than if we had split a bottle from the get-go. "Splurge" on that up-front cost and feel fancy.
Don't Pay For: Scams
Seems obvious, but I've been secretly scammed enough times to warrant calling it out. Street vendors or performers are masters since it's their job. In Prague, we were approached by a woman dressed like a waitress who asked if she could take our photo for the restaurant website. Caught off guard, we posed for the photo, only to have her return a half hour later with a photo magnet, demanding money for her services. In Athens, a man on the street handed me a flower and said it was a gift for me, only to approach my husband and ask that he pay for the flower. It's easy to get swept up in these harmless scams, either because they happen so quickly or the vendors are persistent. Stay firm, hand the trinkets back, don't pose for photos, and politely tell them no. You don't need to pay for an overpriced photo with a snake in the street, like I did.....
Do Splurge On: A Quality Suitcase
I’ve been deterred by many stellar suitcase reviews once I saw the price tag. It long seemed absurd to spend so much on something that would only be used a handful of times each year. But I’ve purchased one too many “economical” suitcases in the past few years to appreciate how worthwhile it is to make an investment in something sturdy. I’ve dealt with easily torn seams, broken wheels in the middle of the airport, and busted zippers that rendered pockets useless. Get over your gut instinct to go with the cheapest suitcase possible and go for something that will be durable while still lightweight. I’m not saying you need to spend a fortune – my go-to, favorite carry on came in at around $90 on Amazon. Check out your local TJ Maxx, too, if you are a “try before you buy” type of shopper.
Do you have any travel purchase regrets or successes? I have to say, as much as I regret being lured into the street vendor with the snake for a photograph, I do love the picture I have. What do you plan to splurge on next?
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