A killer vacation doesn't have anything to do with your cash flow: It’s a state of mind. Living the ultra-luxe travel life is possible, even when your budget is modest.
We spoke to industry veteran Bob Diener, the co-founder of Getaroom.com and Hotels.com, about how to get the most bang out of your vacation buck. Diener's 25 years of travel expertise yields plenty of insight. Here are his tips for traveling like a boss.
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Time is your most valuable commodity.
Don't skimp on the rental car.
Act as if.
Look at vacation rentals, not hotels.
Ask for upgrades, but be nice about it.
Save on the upfront costs of the trip.
Travel where your dollar works hardest.
"Travel where your dollar goes farther. Look globally to fun cities such as Barcelona that are hurting in a bad economy. You can score great rates and have fun in one of the most energetic cities in the world. Use a site such as Getaroom.com to scour rates and find boutique hotels that offer five-star amenities at the four-star price."
Dress sharp
Be a generous tipper.
"Be a generous tipper. You don’t have to make it rain over the wait staff at a fine restaurant, but it shows real class to tip the concierge, housekeeping, valet attendants, and any other service employees you come in contact with. Vacations are supposed to be fun, and you will be surprised how good it feels to have someone give you a real “thank you” after receiving a bigger tip."