According to a CNBC report, there is a new “sense of urgency” in travel after the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey of 12,000 travelers from 12 countries found that 65% of the respondents are planning to “go big” on their next trip.
Extravagant or luxury travel is the biggest trend of the year. Luxury travel can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are plenty of ways to find great deals on luxury holidays, from finding the best times to book your flight, hotel, and activities to learning when to splurge on things like business-class flights and hotels.
If you’re looking for some tips on how to save money while still enjoying your next holiday abroad or even in your country, read on.
How to Enjoy the Best Luxury Holiday on a Budget
Think About When You Travel
The first thing to do is think about when you travel. As a general rule, shoulder seasons are the best time to book your trip. For example, if you are going to Greece in July, it will be much cheaper than traveling in August or September (which is peak season).
The same goes for other popular destinations such as France and Italy. Travel during shoulder season and save money on accommodations. If you want even more savings on your luxury holiday, avoid holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter Sunday, and so on.
Prioritize Your Travel Goals
To get the best value for your money, it’s important to know what you want from your holiday. Do you want to see all of the sights or do you prefer relaxing on a beach? Are you traveling with friends or by yourself? Will you be staying in a luxury hotel or opting for a budget one? And will you eat in restaurants every night or cook most of your meals at home?
These are just some of the questions that need answering when prioritizing which aspects of travel deserve more spending power than others.
Save on Business Class Flights
If you want to treat yourself to a luxury trip and are on a budget, the best way is to book in advance. Most airlines offer discounts for booking flights a few months ahead of time. If you book in advance, you can even get tickets for business class on British Airways at a 30 to 70% discounted rate.
British Airways offer many classes for different destinations. You can travel within the USA or take your luxury holiday in Europe. To get the best deal, we recommend booking your tickets at least four months in advance. But if that seems too far away, don’t worry. It is possible to get great deals about two weeks before departure.
You can also consider using points and miles earned from credit cards or other travel rewards programs. These programs let members redeem miles for free flights and hotel stays worldwide when they reach certain thresholds.
The Bankrate 2022 Holiday Travel Survey revealed that 22% of travelers plan on using accumulated rewards points like miles and loyalty programs to fund holiday travel.
Save On Hotels
One of the best ways to save money on your luxury holiday is by staying in a hotel that’s both cheaper and more luxurious than you would normally choose. This means booking a stay in the off-season or late at night when rates are lower.
It also means using a site like Hotels Combined or Booking.com to find deals and discounts on hotels that have all the bells and whistles of your usual brand of choice but at half the price.
You can also consider Airbnb. Airbnb isn’t just for budget travelers anymore. It’s increasingly becoming known as an option for luxury travelers who want something more personal than what they get from traditional hotels (and who don’t mind sharing their space with strangers).
If you want to live like a local while traveling abroad or even just explore new neighborhoods while visiting home, this might be the way to go.
Save on Food and Entertainment
Via stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/luxury-holidays/104485660/atlantis-dubai-a-myth-that-has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed
Food and entertainment are the biggest budget-busters on any holiday. This doesn’t mean you have to eat bland, boring food at all times, though. There are plenty of ways to get by cheaply.
Here’s how:
- Eat at local restaurants. The best way to save money on your dining preferences is by eating at restaurants that serve local cuisine. For example, if you’re in Vietnam or Morocco, don’t go for a steak dinner. Instead, try some delicious pho or tagine (Moroccan stew).
- Eat street food. Street food is incredibly affordable compared with sit-down restaurants because they don’t have the same overhead costs. Vendors don’t need fancy tables or chairs or waiters, so they pass their savings on to consumers like us. All we have to do is keep our ears open and follow our noses until we find ourselves standing over someone selling delicious Vietnamese soup bowls (or whatever else might be available).
Learn When to Splurge and When to Cut Back on Spending
To get the most bang for your buck, you need to know when to splurge and when to cut back. For example, it’s better to spend more on experiences than things. Instead of buying a new pair of socks or pants every time you go on holiday, invest in an experience that will last longer and give you more memories.
You might also find that when you’re traveling with friends or family members, they can share some costs with you. That way, everybody benefits from the money saved.
Conclusion
According to a Deloitte report published on PR Newswire, 6 out of 10 Americans planned to travel this summer, and the overall travel spending was expected to increase by 6% from 2021.
We hope you find our tips useful for planning your next amazing holiday. The most important thing is to not get too hung up on finding the perfect hotel or resort, but instead, have fun and make the most of the experience.
