When people talk about saving money on travel, the conversation usually goes straight to finding the cheapest option. The cheapest flight, the cheapest hotel, the cheapest rental car, or the cheapest vacation package. I like saving money just as much as anyone, but over the years I have learned that the cheapest option isn't always the best deal. Sometimes spending a little more can make a trip easier, more comfortable, and much more enjoyable.
For me, the goal isn't to spend as little as possible. It's to get the most out of the money I am spending. There is a big difference between finding the lowest price and finding good value.
I Don't Look for the Cheapest Hotel
When I book a hotel, I have certain things I am looking for. Location matters, safety matters, cleanliness matters, and comfort matters. If I can get those things without paying a premium, that's usually what I am looking for.
I am not wealthy enough to make luxury hotels the centerpiece of my vacations, and honestly, I don't travel just to sit in a hotel room. I'd rather put more of my money toward the actual experience. At the same time, I won't go extremely cheap if it means staying in a bad area, dealing with excessive noise, or putting up with a place that makes the trip less enjoyable.
Saving $40 a night isn't much of a savings if you spend the entire vacation wishing you had stayed somewhere else. That's where I think the difference between cheap and good value really shows up.
Sometimes Paying More Makes Sense
The same thing can happen with airfare. I usually fly economy, and I haven't felt the need to fly first class. But depending on the flight and the price difference, I may choose something one step above basic economy because of the added flexibility or because it includes things I would otherwise have to pay for.
Sometimes the cheapest fare looks great until you start adding everything back in. A lower-priced ticket might have restrictions that don't work well with your plans, while another fare may cost a little more but give you better cancellation or change options, or save you money on luggage.
The cheapest price is only part of the calculation. What you are actually getting for that price matters just as much.
Figure Out What Matters to You
Everyone travels differently, so there is no single formula for getting the best value. Maybe you care about having a great hotel because you plan to spend a lot of time there. Maybe you don't care about the hotel very much because you will be out exploring from morning until night.
The same thing applies to transportation. Maybe you want a nonstop flight because you don't like connections. Someone else may gladly take a longer itinerary if it saves $150. Maybe having a rental car makes the trip much easier for you, while another traveler is perfectly happy using public transportation, walking, or rideshare.
I think the important thing is figuring out what matters to you before you start shopping. Once you know that, you can save money on the things that don't matter as much and spend a little more on the things that actually improve your trip.
This Is Where Travel Shopping Pays Off
I have gotten pretty good at shopping around before I book a trip. I check different hotel options, compare flights, look for AARP discounts and coupon codes, use travel points when they make sense, and look for special offers and other legitimate ways to reduce the price. I also check different dates and, when practical, different airports.
You might find that one option is $100 cheaper, but another gives you much better flexibility. Or you might discover that changing your travel dates by a day saves enough money to make a better hotel affordable. Sometimes a small change in one part of the trip opens up an opportunity somewhere else.
That's why I don't think of travel as simply finding a price and clicking "book." There are usually several pieces to the puzzle, and taking a little time to compare them can make a big difference in what you ultimately get for your money.
You Can Still Travel on a Budget
Being careful with money doesn't mean you have to make every decision based on the lowest number. In fact, I think the opposite can sometimes be true.
If you save money on airfare by being flexible with your dates, maybe you can afford a better hotel. If you find a good hotel deal, maybe you can spend a little more on an activity you really want to do. If you save money on transportation, perhaps that gives you room in the budget for a nice dinner.
You're still budgeting. You're just moving the money around so it has more impact. That's something I have tried to get better at over the years. I don't necessarily want the cheapest vacation. I want to make my travel dollar go as far as possible.
Don't Save Money at the Expense of the Experience
There is a point where saving money stops being helpful. If a hotel is so far away that you spend an hour getting to everything you want to see, was it really a bargain? If the cheapest flight has a terrible schedule and leaves you exhausted before your vacation even starts, did you really save?
The same applies to the experiences you choose once you arrive. If you pick an attraction, restaurant, or activity solely because it is the cheapest option, even though it's something you don't really want to do, what did you gain? Travel is supposed to be enjoyable. Saving money is important, but not if the savings consistently come at the expense of the experience.
Look for Value, Not Just a Low Price
I think this is one of the most useful ways to approach travel. Instead of asking, "What's the cheapest option?" ask, "What's the best value for what I want?"
Those are two very different questions.
The cheapest hotel may not be the best value. The cheapest flight may not be the best value. The cheapest vacation package may not be the best value. Sometimes the answer will still be the cheapest option, and that's great. If it meets your needs and gives you the experience you want, then you found a real bargain.
But sometimes spending a little more gets you something significantly better. That's when the extra money can be worth it.
Make Your Money Work for Your Vacation
I don't think you need to spend a fortune to have a great vacation. I also don't think you need to squeeze every possible dollar out of every decision.
What works for me is finding the balance. I save where I can and spend where it matters. I look for discounts, compare options, use points when they make sense, and take advantage of memberships and legitimate offers. At the same time, I'm not afraid to spend a little more when the difference actually improves the trip.
That's how I try to travel. The goal isn't to come home saying, "We had the cheapest vacation." The goal is to come home saying, "We got a lot out of what we spent."
