Pass or Pay – Vacation Upgrades & Expenses That Are Worth the Splurge
When planning a vacation, you’ll see options to spend money come at you from every angle. So which upgrades are worth the spend, and which should you skip? And while it’s always important to be mindful of your budget, sometimes it pays to splurge a little bit.
These handy tips will have you vacationing in style without breaking the bank.
Pass or Pay – Vacation Upgrades & Expenses That Are Worth the Splurge
When planning a vacation, you’ll see options to spend money come at you from every angle. So which upgrades are worth the spend, and which should you skip? And while it’s always important to be mindful of your budget, sometimes it pays to splurge a little bit.
These handy tips will have you vacationing in style without breaking the bank.
Airplane Seats – Pay
We’ve all been there. You’re stuck in the middle seat, squished between two strangers, strategically maneuvering your elbows to gain control of the armrest. You’re trying to find any piece of comfort that will allow you to rest. If it means arriving at your destination relaxed and without cricks in your neck, upgraded seats are a worthwhile expense.
Airplane Seats – Pay
We’ve all been there. You’re stuck in the middle seat, squished between two strangers, strategically maneuvering your elbows to gain control of the armrest. You’re trying to find any piece of comfort that will allow you to rest. If it means arriving at your destination relaxed and without cricks in your neck, upgraded seats are a worthwhile expense.
Priority Pass Membership –Pay
When you’re traveling long distances, the wait at the airport can seem tedious as you are crowded by tired and grumpy strangers all on their own chaotic journey. Instead of being stuck in a zone where you’ll wish you’d stayed at home, you can enjoy your downtime in the private airport lounge. The Priority Pass Membership is a membership that operates worldwide. No matter where you travel with this pass, you get access to a spot for rest and snacks galore!
An Upgraded Room – Pay
There’s nothing worse than being on vacation and not being able to relax because your hotel room is cramped and noisy. Even worse, being in absolute paradise and looking out your window to see a wall or view of the parking lot. You’re essentially paying for a better vacation experience when you upgrade your room.
Instead, imagine having breakfast on your balcony while looking directly at the calming ocean waves ahead. Sounds much better right?
Priority Pass Membership –Pay
When you’re traveling long distances, the wait at the airport can seem tedious as you are crowded by tired and grumpy strangers all on their own chaotic journey. Instead of being stuck in a zone where you’ll wish you’d stayed at home, you can enjoy your downtime in the private airport lounge. The Priority Pass Membership is a membership that operates worldwide. No matter where you travel with this pass, you get access to a spot for rest and snacks galore!
An Upgraded Room – Pay
There’s nothing worse than being on vacation and not being able to relax because your hotel room is cramped and noisy. Even worse, being in absolute paradise and looking out your window to see a wall or view of the parking lot. You’re essentially paying for a better vacation experience when you upgrade your room.
Instead, imagine having breakfast on your balcony while looking directly at the calming ocean waves ahead. Sounds much better right?
Travel Insurance – Pay
You may be thinking, why would I pay for something I hope I never have to use? But travel insurance is one of those things that’s worth the splurge, just in case something goes wrong. Travel insurance will help you recoup some of your losses if you have to cancel your trip last minute or if your luggage gets lost. In this case, paying for the peace of mind is well worth the spend.
Travel Insurance – Pay
You may be thinking, why would I pay for something I hope I never have to use? But travel insurance is one of those things that’s worth the splurge, just in case something goes wrong. Travel insurance will help you recoup some of your losses if you have to cancel your trip last minute or if your luggage gets lost. In this case, paying for the peace of mind is well worth the spend.
Souvenirs – Pass
This is a personal preference, but we say pass on buying souvenirs. They’re often overpriced and not really worth the money. And many souvenir stores are full of mass-produced items you can find anywhere. If you’re looking to save money on your vacation, souvenirs are an easy place to cut back.
Rental car upgrades – Pass
Unless you’re upgrading for extra space for a large group, there’s really no need to spend extra money on upgrading your rental. A standard sedan will get you from point A to point B just fine. Besides, with GPS, music apps, and Bluetooth on our phones these days, who even needs a map or the extra cost of XM radio?
Private Transportation – Pay
There’s nothing worse than being herded on and off a shuttle bus with a bunch of other tourists. When you’re paying for a vacation, the last thing you want is to feel like cattle. If your budget allows, consider private transportation and head straight to your destination.
Souvenirs – Pass
This is a personal preference, but we say pass on buying souvenirs. They’re often overpriced and not really worth the money. And many souvenir stores are full of mass-produced items you can find anywhere. If you’re looking to save money on your vacation, souvenirs are an easy place to cut back.
Rental car upgrades – Pass
Unless you’re upgrading for extra space for a large group, there’s really no need to spend extra money on upgrading your rental. A standard sedan will get you from point A to point B just fine. Besides, with GPS, music apps, and Bluetooth on our phones these days, who even needs a map or the extra cost of XM radio?
Private Transportation – Pay
There’s nothing worse than being herded on and off a shuttle bus with a bunch of other tourists. When you’re paying for a vacation, the last thing you want is to feel like cattle. If your budget allows, consider private transportation and head straight to your destination.
TSA PreCheck & Global Entry – Pay
If you despise long security and customs lines and taking all electronics out of your bag, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are worth the money. With these memberships, you can easily breeze through security and customs. And for membership that amounts to about $15 or $20 per year, respectively, we think this one is a no-brainer.
TSA PreCheck & Global Entry – Pay
If you despise long security and customs lines and taking all electronics out of your bag, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are worth the money. With these memberships, you can easily breeze through security and customs. And for membership that amounts to about $15 or $20 per year, respectively, we think this one is a no-brainer.
CLEAR – Pass
CLEAR is a membership program that lets you move through airport security faster by using your fingerprints, iris scans, and boarding passes. While we agree this is an excellent service, CLEAR is not yet available in all airports. And at $179 per year, unless you’re sure that the service is available where you travel most often, we have to pass on this one… For now.
What are your thoughts? Are there any splurges you think are worth the money when traveling? Let us know in the comments below!
CLEAR – Pass
CLEAR is a membership program that lets you move through airport security faster by using your fingerprints, iris scans, and boarding passes. While we agree this is an excellent service, CLEAR is not yet available in all airports. And at $179 per year, unless you’re sure that the service is available where you travel most often, we have to pass on this one… For now.
What are your thoughts? Are there any splurges you think are worth the money when traveling? Let us know in the comments below!
