The Cheapest Price Isn't Always the Cheapest Vacation

One thing I see all the time in travel is people comparing prices.

And I get it.

If one option says $179 and another says $249, which one looks cheaper?

Obviously, $179.

But hold on.

What does the $179 include?

And more importantly...

What doesn't it include?

Because one of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning a vacation is assuming that the lowest price means the lowest overall cost.

It doesn't always.

Stop Comparing Prices. Start Comparing What's Included.

Let's use a pre-cruise hotel as an example.

You find a hotel room for $179.

Then you find a Park & Cruise package for $249.

At first glance, you might say:

“Why would I pay another $70 for the same hotel?”

Good question.

But let's keep going.

Does the $179 rate include parking while you're on the cruise?

If not, how much will parking cost?

Does it include transportation to the cruise terminal?

How are you getting back to the hotel after the cruise?

Does either rate include breakfast?

Once you start adding those expenses, that $179 room might end up costing more than the $249 package.

The first number wasn't necessarily cheaper. It was just lower.

There's a difference.

Cruises Work the Same Way

This happens with cruises all the time.

You see Cruise A for $1,800.

Cruise B is $2,200.

Easy decision, right?

Not necessarily.

Before deciding, I want to know what we're actually comparing.

Does one fare include drinks?

What about Wi-Fi?

Gratuities?

Specialty dining?

Onboard credit?

What cabin category are we comparing?

Are both balconies actually comparable?

Is one cabin obstructed?

Where are the cabins located?

Does one fare allow you to choose your cabin while the other assigns one later?

Those things matter.

I'm not saying the more expensive cruise is automatically better.

I'm saying we need to know what we're buying before we decide which one is the better value.

The $400 Flight Might Cost More Than the $500 Flight

Airfare is another perfect example.

You search for flights and see:

Flight A: $399

Flight B: $499

That's a $100 difference.

But then we start digging.

Does Flight A include a checked bag?

Can you select your seat?

Is there a carry-on allowance?

Is it nonstop?

Does it have one connection?

Two?

What time does it arrive?

For a cruise, does that schedule require another hotel night?

What happens if you want to change the ticket?

Suddenly that $399 flight isn't automatically the winner.

Sometimes paying a little more gives you an itinerary that makes significantly more sense for your vacation.

And sometimes the cheaper flight really IS the better choice.

That's why we compare.

All-Inclusive Vacations Can Be Tricky Too

Here's another one.

You find two resorts.

One is $3,500.

The other is $4,000.

Before we celebrate saving $500, let's look at the whole vacation.

Does the package include airfare?

Airport transfers?

Checked luggage?

Meals?

Alcoholic beverages?

Activities?

Travel protection?

And are we even comparing similar resorts and room categories?

A lower number doesn't tell me enough.

I want to know:

What am I getting for my money?

Sometimes the Better Value Costs More

This is probably the most important part of this entire blog.

Cheapest and best value are not the same thing.

I am not always trying to find my clients the absolute cheapest vacation available.

I want to help them find the vacation that makes sense for their budget, priorities and expectations.

For one person, that might absolutely be the least expensive option.

For someone else, paying $300 more could eliminate several additional expenses and make the entire trip easier.

And another traveler may look at those extras and say:

“Eric, I don't care about any of that. Give me the cheaper one.”

😂

That's fine too!

At least now you're making an informed decision.

This Is Where a Travel Advisor Comes In

Anybody can look at two numbers and tell you which one is smaller.

You don't need me for that.

Where I can help is looking behind the number.

What does it include?

What's missing?

What are you likely to pay later?

Is there a better room category?

Is the transportation included?

Is there another fare that gives you something you were planning to purchase anyway?

Does spending a little more now potentially save you money somewhere else?

And most importantly:

Does this option actually fit the vacation you're trying to have?

That's the homework I don't mind doing.

I Still Want to Respect Your Budget

Now don't misunderstand me.

This is NOT travel-agent language for:

“Eric is about to make me spend more money.” 😂

No.

If you give me a budget, that's important.

My job isn't to convince you to spend money just because something costs more.

My job is to help you understand your options.

Sometimes I'll look at two choices and tell you:

“Take the cheaper one. I don't see enough value in paying the difference.”

Other times, I might say:

“Before you choose that one, let me show you what the other price includes.”

Then you decide.

It's your vacation.

It's your money.

Look at the Whole Vacation

So the next time you're comparing two vacations, cruises, flights, hotels or resorts, don't stop at the big number on the screen.

Ask:

What does this price actually include?

Because that $179 hotel might not really cost $179.

That $399 flight might not really cost $399.

And that cruise that's a few hundred dollars more might include things you were going to purchase anyway.

Sometimes the cheapest option really is the best deal.

And sometimes it's just the lowest number on the page.

There's a difference.

That's why we compare the vacation, not just the price.

Turning travel wishes into reality.

— Eric Miles
Poet's Year-Round Travel