I’m still a frugal traveler. That probably won't ever change. Mostly because I see money saved as the possibility of more trips. But I like finding a deal. I love a good travel hack, especially when it also saves me time and money, and I will absolutely always compare prices, look for free options, use points and miles when it makes sense, and think twice before spending money on something that doesn't add much value to my trip.
But I've also learned something after years of traveling...the cheapest option isn't always the best option.
There was a time when I would automatically choose the least expensive flight, the hotel that was a little farther out, or the itinerary with the longest layover if it saved me $50.
These days, I'm a little more willing to spend money to make a trip easier, more comfortable, and less exhausting.
Maybe that's part of getting older. Or maybe it's simply having enough travel experience to know exactly what I don't want to deal with anymore.
I've had the 3 a.m. wake-up calls. I've carried a backpack that felt like it was filled with bricks. I've stayed far enough outside a city that I spent a small fortune getting back and forth. I've heard the stories of what happens when a trip goes sideways and you suddenly realize just how expensive international medical care and transportation can be.
So now I have a list of things I'm willing to spend money on when I travel.
I'm still not throwing money around. I'm just spending it where it actually makes a difference.
The Things I’m Willing to Spend Money on When I Travel Now
Better Flight Options
I am not a business class traveler. I get the appeal {those lay flat seats are calling to me!}, and I'm jealous when I hear others who do it, I just know that once I go there, I could never go back.
But I've also reached the point where I don't automatically book the absolute cheapest flight. I'll pay more for a better flight option.
That might mean a better departure time, a shorter connection, a better route, or a flight that doesn't require me to spend an entire day getting somewhere when another option would get me there much more efficiently.
For me, there's a point where the extra money is worth it.
If I can pay a little more and avoid a terrible layover, a long overnight connection, or an itinerary that has me arriving exhausted, I'll seriously consider it.
And this is especially true for international travel.
When you're already spending a significant amount of money on a trip, saving $75 on airfare isn't always a savings if it means you lose an entire day of your vacation recovering from the journey.
I'm still going to look for the best deal.
I'm just not looking for the cheapest possible deal at any cost.
Don't miss this: 10 of my Favorite Travel Purchases That Save Me Money
Direct Flights
This is one of my biggest travel splurges. If there's a reasonably priced direct flight, I'm probably taking it. I've flown enough to know that every connection is another opportunity for something to go wrong.
A delayed first flight can mean a missed connection. A tight connection can mean sprinting through an airport. A checked bag can get left behind. And even when everything goes perfectly, connecting means you're spending more time getting somewhere instead of actually being there.
Sometimes the price difference between a nonstop and a connecting flight is significant enough that I'll take the connection.
But if we're talking about a reasonable difference?
I'll pay it.
Especially when I'm traveling somewhere for a short amount of time.
If I only have five days in a destination, I don't want to spend six hours of that trip sitting in an airport because I was trying to save $100 on airfare.
My vacation time has value, too.
Normal Departure Times
I've officially decided that 3 a.m. wake-up calls are unnecessary.
There was a time when I'd look at a 6 a.m. flight and think, "Sure! That's fine!"
Now I'm calculating what time I have to get up, how early I need to leave the house, whether I need to book an airport hotel, and how much coffee I'm going to require to function.
If there is a flight leaving at a reasonable hour for $50 more, I'm probably taking it. I don't need to save $50 if the price is three hours of sleep and feeling terrible for the first half of my trip.
And let's be honest... I'm not traveling to relax by waking up at 2:30 a.m. and dragging myself to the airport. I'm perfectly happy to pay a little more for a flight that leaves at a civilized hour. Vacation Rachel always thanks me later.
Luggage Transfer
This one is probably the most obvious sign that I've changed as a traveler. I love to hike. I hate to carry a heavy pack. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
There are some incredible long-distance hikes and walking trips where luggage transfer services will move your larger bag from one hotel to the next while you walk with a small daypack. We are planning the Tour du Mont Blanc next summer and we already have our luggage transport paid for.
I am here for it.
I'm perfectly happy to pay someone else to transport my luggage. Especially when I'm walking 10, 15, or 20 miles.
There is something wonderful about finishing a long day of hiking, arriving at your hotel, and knowing your suitcase is already there waiting for you.
Instead of spending my energy worrying about my luggage, I can spend it looking at the scenery, stopping for lunch, taking photos, talking to people, and actually enjoying the experience.
And I don't consider that an unnecessary luxury.
I consider it buying back my energy.
Centrally Located Hotels
This is another place where I've learned to look beyond the nightly room rate. Sometimes the cheapest hotel isn't actually the cheapest hotel.
If I'm staying somewhere for several nights, I would much rather pay a little more to be centrally located if it means I can walk to restaurants, attractions, shops, public transportation, and other things I want to see.
A $50 cheaper hotel sounds great until you realize you're spending $25 each way on transportation every time you leave.
Suddenly that "deal" isn't such a deal.
And there is another benefit to staying centrally...flexibility. I can go back to my hotel for a break. I can drop off shopping bags. I can change clothes. I can grab something I forgot.
I can walk out for dinner without having to plan an entire transportation strategy.
When I'm traveling, I want to spend my time experiencing a destination not commuting to it.
So yes, I'll pay more for location.
Travel Insurance
This is one expense I don't question anymore. We buy travel insurance. I know some people look at the price of travel insurance and think it's an unnecessary expense.
I understand why.
When everything goes right, you don't need it. But travel doesn't always go right. And the more I've traveled, the more I understand how expensive things can become when they go wrong. Maybe it's because I'm the mom and wife of a pilot, but I know that air transportation alone can be incredibly expensive.
If you suddenly need to be transported home because of a serious emergency, you're not talking about a few hundred dollars. You're potentially talking about an enormous bill.
I've seen enough about the cost of medical transportation to know that paying for travel insurance is worth the peace of mind for us.
I know how much air transport costs now, and it could bankrupt us.
That's not a risk I'm willing to take.
Travel insurance can cover different things depending on the policy, so I always recommend reading the details rather than assuming you're covered for everything.
But for us, having coverage for major medical emergencies, evacuation, trip interruption, and other unexpected situations is money well spent. I'd much rather spend a few hundred dollars protecting a several thousand dollar trip than spend nothing and hope nothing goes wrong.
As my husband always says, missing a trip or losing the money on a trip you've paid for would suck. But getting stuck with a bill for a medical evacuation could bankrupt us. That's not a risk we want to take anymore.
We've been buying travel insurance through World Nomads. They offer the coverage we need, and the limits we feel comfortable with at an affordable price.
TSA Precheck and Global Entry
There are some travel expenses that I don't even think twice about anymore. Having TSA precheck and Global Entry is one of them. We actually have ours through NEXUS {the Canadian program I've written about before}.
Start here: Should I get TSA Precheck or Global Entry?
We use NEXUS and I will never let it lapse.
Ever.
For us, the convenience is worth it.
The ability to move through airport security more efficiently and have access to expedited processing when crossing borders makes travel so much easier.
I've reached the point where I don't want to stand in a security line longer than necessary. And if you're someone who travels even a handful of times a year, these programs can be worth looking into.
For me, this isn't about luxury, it's about time. And time is one of the things I'm increasingly willing to pay for.
Check out this post: How to Travel the World While Still Being a Cheapskate {In the Best Possible Way!}
Laundry Service
This might sound like a strange travel splurge, but hear me out. Sometimes I will absolutely pay someone else to do my laundry.
In fact, paying for laundry can sometimes be cheaper than packing more clothes.
I've become a big fan of traveling with a carry on whenever I can. We have also started taking longer trips. But if I'm traveling for two weeks, I'm not necessarily bringing 14 days of clothing.
Check this out: How to Pack Everything You Need in a Carry On
I'll pack less, wash things midway through the trip, and keep going.
If I have access to a washing machine at an Airbnb or vacation rental, fantastic. But if I don't? I'll look at the cost of laundry service.
Sometimes it's surprisingly reasonable.
Pro tip: we took a cruise once and this was a service that was included when we booked, but there was little mention about it after booking, so make sure you are reading the fine print if you book a vacation, you might just get your laundry washed for free!
And when I compare the price of doing laundry to the hassle of hauling around a larger suitcase, paying baggage fees, and dealing with more luggage, the laundry service wins.
There is something incredibly satisfying about handing over a small bag of dirty clothes and getting back a bag of clean, folded clothes.
It feels like vacation magic.
And yes, I'm willing to pay for that magic.
Paying for Experiences
Perhaps the biggest thing I'm willing to spend money on now is something that doesn't come home with me at all.
Experiences.
A food tour. A cooking class. A guided hike. A great meal. A unique excursion. A local guide. A special activity that I know I'll remember long after I get home.
I've become much less interested in spending money on souvenirs and much more interested in spending it on experiences.
I'm not saying I don't buy anything when I travel. Of course I do. Well, I rarely do. But I've noticed that the things I remember most aren't the things I purchased.
They're the moments. The meal. The conversation. The view. The hike. The unexpected experience that wasn't on the original itinerary.
Those are the things that stay with me.
A Better Hotel When it Matters
I'm still not automatically choosing the most expensive hotel. But sometimes the hotel is part of the experience.
If I'm visiting a destination where I'll spend a lot of time at the property, I'll spend more on a place that I actually want to be.
Maybe there's a great pool. Maybe there's a spa. Maybe there's an incredible view. Maybe it's a historic property that adds something to the trip. Maybe it's simply a beautiful, comfortable place to come back to after a long day of exploring.
I've learned to ask myself what role the hotel is playing in the trip.
If I'm going to be out from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day, I'm probably not spending a fortune on a hotel room.
But if the hotel itself is part of the experience?
I'm willing to pay for it.
Paying for Convenience When it Saves Time
This is probably the common thread running through all of these decisions.
I'm willing to pay for things that make travel easier. Not because I'm suddenly extravagant but because I've realized that time is valuable.
I'll pay to avoid a terrible flight connection. I'll pay for luggage transport so I can enjoy a hike. I'll pay more for a centrally located hotel so I can walk instead of taking transportation everywhere. I'll pay for laundry so I can pack lighter. I'll pay for travel insurance so one unexpected event doesn't financially devastate us. I'll pay for precheck and global entry so I can spend less time in lines. And I'll pay for a great experience because that's the reason I'm traveling in the first place.
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Frugal Doesn't Mean Cheap
I've spent a lot of years figuring out how to save money. I still love a bargain. I still compare prices. I still look for ways to stretch my travel budget, because more money in the budget means more travel!
But I've learned that being frugal doesn't mean choosing the cheapest option every single time.
Sometimes the most frugal choice is the one that gives you the most value. And value isn't always measured in dollars.
Sometimes it's measured in time, energy, comfort, convenience, or peace of mind.
I'm much more willing to spend money on those things now.
Because I've also learned something else...I don't want to spend my travel days exhausted, uncomfortable, stressed, or worried about what might go wrong just because I was determined to save $100.
I've worked hard to create a life where travel is possible. I'm going to enjoy it. That doesn't mean I need business class. It doesn't mean I need a five-star hotel everywhere I go. It doesn't mean I need to spend thousands of dollars on every trip.
It simply means I've gotten better at recognizing the things that are worth paying for to me.
And after years of traveling, I know this much for sure...I'll save money on plenty of things. But I'm not going to save money at the expense of enjoying the trip.
Because the whole point of saving for travel is to actually enjoy being there.
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