If you’re traveling over the holidays, chances are close to 100 percent that you’ve already made all the big arrangements. So my recommendations at this late date deal with some of the details that can’t make or break a trip but can make a difference. Specifically, they fall into the general category of “don’t throw money at every challenge, but throw some when it really helps.” Here are a few cases where a small extra cost will make a big difference.
Airline
Schlepping a suitcase through those long check-in and security lines and interminable corridors to/from a gate, and fighting for space in an overhead bin, are no picnic for anyone. So, yes, as a senior, I pay a stiff fee to check a bag whenever it isn’t included in my ticket. A few big airports make it even easier: curb-checking for a $3 tip. And Southwest has obviously found that its two-bag-free policy has traction among travelers.Normally, upgrading from the “main” cabin is expensive. But some airlines auction upgrades on international flights at departure time, and you don’t lose anything by putting in a fairly low bid even if it has a fairly low chance.
Hotel
Often, all you want in a hotel is function—a well-equipped bathroom, a comfortable bed, and quiet. But destination hotels are different—you’re likely to spend a lot of time in your room, and having a nice one can make your stay a lot better. Here, the main consideration is likely the view, where a good place to view the mountains or the lake makes a room much more inviting. If you booked a cheap room, you can often upgrade for a reasonable premium. I’m glad I paid for a river view in Boppard.Cruise
As with hotel rooms, cabin location can be crucial. You already know your assigned cabin, but if it isn’t a balcony, check to see if your cruise line is selling last-minute upgrades for a reasonable price—a balcony is really nice, especially on Alaska cruises where there’s always scenery.Rental Car
The cheap-out more travelers regret than any other is renting a car that is too small to accommodate their entire travel party comfortably. Below “midsize” and even “standard,” the rear seat in a typical sedan is not really comfortable for even one or two adults or large children, let alone the three that rental companies include to call these cars five-passenger. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is at hand: SUV models have become so popular to used-car buyers that rental car companies have loaded their fleets with SUVs. And fitting four adults into an SUV is a lot easier than fitting them into a conventional sedan. Paying hundreds of dollars for a few hours of extra comfort on an airline can be a tough sell, but paying a few tens of dollars for a full day of adequate rear-seat room in a car often seems like a no-brainer.The rental car companies still haven’t yet solved electric cars. The U.S. automobile market is going electric, but as far as I can tell, the rental companies still haven’t decided how to react. The last time I looked, electric cars still aren’t available at many airports, and they’re expensive where they are available. And even if you can easily and affordably rent one, keeping it charged can be a problem as many hotels are slow to install charging stations, and when you’re on vacation you don’t want to sit around for hours at a public charging station.
Overall
Almost everyone in the business bugs you about how much you “save” if you buy their product or follow their tip, but to me, that’s not the point. You can easily “save” 100 percent on travel by staying home. That’s not what you want to do; you want an enjoyable experience that you can buy as a good value. You can’t go “better” on everything and still stay frugal. But pick your spots where a small extra brings a big dividend.Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to [email protected].
