Are you worth it?

I certainly understand how important it is to stick to a budget on vacation. However, did you know that there are several not-so-expensive upgrades you can purchase that will make a huge impact on the quality of your trip?
Here are a few to consider:

Private Airport Transfers
Somehow there is nothing more relieving than passing through customs after a long flight and seeing a driver standing there with a sign bearing your last name...and a smile! Your driver can help you to a nice, clean sedan and be on the road to your accommodations with a cold bottle of water in the time it takes to wait in the taxi line and try to communicate where you need to go. In the Caribbean & Mexico, private transfers can be the difference between a 30 minute direct ride to your resort and a 1 1⁄2 hour trip that stops at 4 other hotels along the way. Why not splurge a little and start your vacation off on the right foot?

Private Tours
Have you ever arrived at a site to see a mile-long line of people waiting to purchase tickets? Or a group of 30-40 being herded around with a tour guide holding an umbrella up in the air? If that looks like your worst nightmare, consider upgrading to a private tour guide. The cost can be quite reasonable and the value you receive can be huge! You can move faster, learn more, and focus on the sites and information you are really interested in.

Premium Economy Upgrade On Your Flight
If Business or First Class is a bit out of your financial comfort zone, why not consider upgrading to Premium Economy on your flights? The cost can be very reasonable and those few inches of extra room, and sometimes added amenities, can make the difference between a comfortable journey and a cramped nightmare.

Airport Lounges
Does your flight have a long layover? Consider purchasing a day-pass for your airline’s Airport Club Lounge. It can be a great way to spend a few hours and most lounges include complimentary wifi, snacks, beverages (sometimes alcoholic as well) and comfortable seats in a quieter location. Check to see if your frequent flier program or credit card company offers you any discounts or perks for admission.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance can be a lifesaver. Even if you think you are going on your vacation no matter what, you can’t predict weather, illness, injury, cancellations or any of those other nasty surprises that can come up when life happens. It should always be budgeted into the cost of every vacation. 

Upgrade Your View
You may not spend a lot of time in the room at a resort, or in your cabin on a cruise ship. But one of the most common complaints I get about a resort is the view. At least check to see how much the difference is to upgrade. You might find that it is a small price to pay for waking up to an ocean view instead of the parking lot.

Pre-Cruise Extensions
Cruises usually start boarding around noon on embarkation day, and require that you be on board at least 2 hours before the ship departs. That actually leaves a very short window of time to arrive and get checked in to your cabin. I always recommend that my clients arrive at the port city the night before departure just to eliminate stress from all of the “what ifs” of delayed or cancelled flights, major traffic jams on the interstate, etc. Most cruises leave from very interesting cities Why not arrive a day or two early and see what they have to offer?

Adding any or all of these small upgrades to your vacation is a HUGE part of why using a travel advisor is the way-to-go when travel planning. We know how much each one of these suggestions can enhance your experience....and isn’t that what you really want when you take that much-deserved vacation? Trip Quest Travel Services can help you choose the upgrades that bring the most bang-for-your-buck to your next travel experience. You are totally worth it!