Who hasn’t dreamed of going on a luxury vacation at one point or another? Not only is it the opportunity to get some much needed rest and relaxation, but it can also provide you with a chance to see how the “other half lives” as you select five-star resorts, the finest of restaurants and places where you can be pampered throughout the entire trip.
Now when it comes to the planning stages, the smart thing to do is to make sure that even if you take a vacation like you’re a celebrity that you don’t incur debt that you can’t really afford once you return home. That’s what we’re here for: to provide you with five ways to take a luxury vacation for far less than many would believe that you paid for it:
Pick more than one destination (to research). This may seem like an obvious tip, but one thing that causes people to spend more money than they want or should is that they only have their heart set on one place. If you choose three “must-see” places, that broadens your research options so that you can find the best deals.
Go during “off season”. No matter what place you choose, there is going to be a peak time for tourism and then a time of the year when there simply aren’t a lot of people visiting that particular spot. You want to go during that second option because many all-inclusive deals and hotel rates are significantly lower when there isn’t so much “people traffic”.
Fly smart. Chances are, if it’s a luxury vacation, you’re going to be getting on a plane in order to get there. You definitely want to make sure to check all discount rate websites like Expedia, Orbitz and/or ones that are directly affiliated with where you are headed (such as South African Air for Johannesburg or Virgin Atlanta for Europe). There tends to be online deals especially if you book way in advance (at least eight weeks ahead). Also, make sure to pack smart. Most airlines charge when you carry more than one bag.
Don’t rush on the hotel reservation. Whether you’re going to Hawaii or on one of the more popular China tours, you want to make sure that you pick a high-end hotel room at a reasonable price. Thankfully, there are websites like Travelocity, Last Minute, Jetsetter All Luxury and Luxury Link that can help you to find the room of your dreams, but if you happen upon a hotel on your own that catches your eye, don’t hesitate to email or call them directly to see what kinds of special packages they have available too.
Shop smart. You may be living for a few days like you’re a millionaire, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be out shopping like you’re one. There are many people who end up blowing their budget (a couple of months’ worth) because they pull out their credit card more often when they’re away than when they’re at home. Therefore, make sure that you decide how much you have to spend on “luxury vacation shopping”. Remember, you want to be able to sit in the lap of luxury, but in a way that will keep you as financially stress-free as possible.