By Haylee Mickelson
Anyone can “travel like a millionaire.” You just have to have the right cards and know how to play them.
But, how in world are you going to accomplish such a feat when money is limited and you want to give your family the vacation of a lifetime? To travel like a millionaire, you have to play smart. It’s all about getting the best value for your vacation. In other words, get more from your trip than you pay for. Possible? YES!
Book through a travel agent. While travel agents may not wait on you hand and foot, they take care of everything from booking your vacation and answering questions to sending you travel documents. If there is a flight cancelation or you, by chance, miss a flight connection, a travel agent can get in contact with the right people who will get you to the right place. A travel agent also books through multiple cruise line and resort suppliers so you can count on unbiased, open travel-minded people to guide you in the right direction and to help your vacation fit your preferences.
Flying like a boss. These days, space between seats in an airplane seems to be getting smaller and smaller. To get that extra degree of comfort — or at least a little wiggle room — upgrade your seat to “comfort plus.” It’s cheaper than first class and will give you more leg room. Or, chance it all and try upgrading to an exit-row seat for free when you get to your departure gate. If you are planning on going this route, make sure you arrive at your departure gate extra early. As for enjoying the flight, bring your own earphones. Noise-cancelling headsets are lifesavers as they block the aircraft sound as well as any noisy neighbors. This also protects your eardrums by helping you not turn up the volume too loud and allows you to sleep without getting awakened by people walking up and about around you.
Battle of the germs. While traveling on an aircraft, be aware that germs are everywhere. Who sat in your seat previously? Were they sick? Do they wash their hands on a regular basis? How can you battle the germs when you are surrounded in an aircraft? Bring wipes and hand sanitizer. That’s right, these are your battle tools. Wipes come in handy for you to wipe down your seat, tray table and arm rests. Hand sanitizer is a blessing to use after a pitstop to the restroom. These tools are not only helpful in an aircraft, but in all other public areas you may encounter.
All-inclusive resorts — hitting the jackpot. When you stay at an all-inclusive resort, all of your meals, drinks, tips, gratuities, flights and accommodations are included. Thus, the jackpot of all vacations. Enjoy the liberty of seeing shows, going out for dinner and basking under the sweet sun, all for one price. Often, exercise classes and entertainment for adults as well as programs specifically designed for kids are also included at many resorts. Call your travel agency or the resort you want to stay at to see what is included. No tricks, gimmicks or catches. You pay extra for shore excursions or fancy onsite restaurants. Vacation packages like these are hard to skip out on.
Your cruise stay. On a cruise, get a balcony. End. Of. Story. These cabin rooms allow natural sunlight to enter and give more space to move around. Again, with that space! Enjoy the outside air without worrying about other people around you. Plus, watch the sunrise or sunset in privacy. This is your vacation and sharing it with a whole bunch of people may not be ideal for every moment of the day. Take advantage of the kids’ programs, recreation equipment, poolside relaxation and entertainment that are all included in your cruise fare. For those extra activities that pull a bit more cash out of your wallet, make sure you book early and look for discounts or cruise promotions that already include them in your cruise package (Need help with this? A travel agent can help).
Eat like a king onboard ship. A millionaire doesn’t need to worry about food and neither should you. Food is a major part of any travel experience, so if you want something that is not on the menu or would like more than one entrée, just ask. Regularly, cruise lines will provide multiple entrées at no extra cost. If you don’t want to leave your stateroom and face the hungry cruise crowd, consider ordering room service. Be sure to watch out for after-hour fees and keep in mind that some cruise lines charge additional for room service or premium restaurants onboard.
Communication is key. Whether you are traveling with one person or a large group, it is nice to be able to communicate without racking up a large phone bill. Many cruise lines now have apps you can use which may have a small fee that is likely far less than roaming charges. Not your thing? Other options could be to purchase a phone card, use walkie-talkies, wait until you’re in port or plan a meeting point. Also, remember to turn your phone on airplane mode while on board the ship to avoid roaming charges. If traveling outside of the country, check with your phone company to see the data rates for international travel. Doing so ahead of time will help you stay within your budget and be able to communicate with your travel companions almost anywhere you go.
Traveling like a millionaire doesn’t mean you actually have to be a millionaire. It just means you are traveling smart and getting the best value for the money you spend. If you feel like you are going to get lost in the thick of things, then grab a travel agent and hold on tight. Whether you are going on vacation to explore the world or to relax and let the worries slip away for a while, every vacation should feel like a million bucks on a budget.
Haylee Mickelson is an agent at Columbus Travel in Bountiful.