Travel companies are really good at convincing you that every upgrade is essential. Priority boarding. Better views. Drink packages. Faster lines. Bigger rooms. Premium experiences.
Before you know it, your $3,000 vacation has turned into a $5,000 vacation.
The truth is that some upgrades genuinely make your trip better. Others simply make your wallet lighter.
After years of traveling solo, as a couple, and now with two little kids, I’ve figured out where I happily spend extra money and where I usually save it for the next trip.
Upgrades I’ll Happily Pay For
A Balcony Cabin on a Cruise
This is my number one vacation upgrade.
When my husband and I took our honeymoon cruise, he had never cruised before. We watched the sunset from our balcony as we sailed away, and I think he was sold before dinner. By lobster night, he was fully converted to cruise life.
Now that we travel with little kids, a balcony is even more valuable. We’ve cruised with toddlers in both balcony cabins and interior cabins. The balcony wins every single time.
Why?
- Extra space for diaper changes
- Room for cribs and toys
- A private outdoor space while kids nap
- Fresh air whenever you want it
- A quiet place for coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night
We thought we’d spend very little time in our cabin. Reality said otherwise. Naps, diaper changes, early bedtimes, and occasional meltdowns meant we spent much more time there than expected.
For our family, a balcony isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s a sanity saver.
A Better Hotel Location
I will often pay more for location.
Could I save money staying farther away? Absolutely.
But I’ve learned that the cheapest hotel isn’t always the cheapest option once you add transportation, parking fees, and wasted vacation time.
Some examples where location matters:
- Walking distance to attractions in Europe
- On property Disney resorts
- Beachfront resorts
- Hotels near cruise ports
- Hotels near airport terminals for early flights
Time is one of the most valuable things you have on vacation.
Sometimes paying a little more saves a lot of stress.
Travel Insurance
Nobody gets excited about buying travel insurance. But I have seen enough cancellations, illnesses, weather delays, and unexpected emergencies to know it can be worth every penny.
Travel insurance is one of those purchases you hope you never need. If something does happen, you’ll be thankful you have it.
Special Dining Experiences
Not every meal. Just one or two memorable ones.
For our family, travel is about experiences.
A character breakfast.
A specialty restaurant on a cruise.
A romantic dinner overlooking the ocean.
A unique local restaurant you can’t experience anywhere else.
Years later, people rarely remember what they ate on Day 3 for lunch. They remember the special meals.
Professional Photos
As moms, we’re usually the photographers. Which means we’re missing from half the family pictures.
Whether it’s Disney PhotoPass, a beach photographer, or a family photo session while traveling, I love having a few pictures where everyone is actually included. Those photos become more valuable every year.
Airport Transfers
Especially when traveling internationally. After a long flight, the last thing I want to do is figure out transportation in an unfamiliar city.
Having a driver waiting or transportation prearranged removes so much stress from arrival day. It’s one of those upgrades I never regret.
Upgrades I Usually Skip
First Class Flights
I know.
Some people are going to disagree with me here. If I get upgraded or find an incredible deal, absolutely.
But if the choice is:
- First Class
- Or another future vacation
I’m usually choosing the future vacation. I’d rather create more memories than sit in a larger seat for a few hours.
Hotel Rooms With a View
This depends on the trip.
If I’m spending most of my time exploring a destination, I don’t need an expensive room view. I’m not sitting in my room all day staring out the window.
Now if we’re talking about a cruise balcony or an overwater bungalow, that’s a different conversation. But for many hotel stays, a standard room works just fine.
Rental Car Upgrades
Unless I truly need the extra space.
The rental counter always offers luxury vehicles, larger SUVs, and premium upgrades. Most of the time, I just need something reliable that gets my family from Point A to Point B.
I’d rather spend that money on experiences.
Drink Packages (Including Soda Packages)
This one surprises people.
And I’m not just talking about alcohol packages.
Even the basic soda packages can be surprisingly expensive when you actually do the math.
Let’s say a soda package costs around $90 for an 8 night cruise. If you’re primarily drinking water and only grabbing one soda each day, that works out to more than $11 per drink. That’s an expensive Coke.
The same thing applies to alcohol packages.
Many travelers buy them because they feel like they’re getting a deal, but they never calculate how much they would realistically drink.
Before purchasing any drink package, ask yourself:
- How many drinks will I actually have each day?
- Would I normally buy that many individually?
- Am I purchasing this because it saves money or because I don’t want to think about the bill later?
For some travelers, the package absolutely makes sense.
If you’re ordering specialty coffees, bottled water, soda, mocktails, cocktails, and other beverages throughout the day, you may come out ahead. For others, paying as you go can save hundreds of dollars.
One of my favorite travel budgeting rules is simple:
Don’t buy the package because it’s offered. Buy it because the math works.
Skip the Line Passes Every Day
This one is controversial too. We recently completed a multi generational Disney and Universal vacation. At Disney, we didn’t purchase Lightning Lanes.
Would they have been nice? Sure.
Did we still have a fantastic vacation? Absolutely.
For some families, they’re worth every penny.
For others, strategic planning can accomplish much of the same thing.
Booking an Excursion in Every Port
Vacation FOMO is real. Especially on cruises.
Many travelers feel like they have to schedule something in every single port.
Some of our favorite travel memories came from:
- Exploring on our own
- Finding a local café
- Walking through town
- Spending time at a beach
- Following recommendations from locals
Sometimes leaving room for spontaneity creates the best memories.
My Biggest Vacation Upgrade Rule
Whenever I’m considering an upgrade, I ask myself one question:
Will this make my vacation significantly better or simply slightly nicer?
If it significantly improves the experience, I’ll seriously consider it. If it’s only slightly nicer, I usually save the money.
I’d rather put those dollars toward the next vacation.
Because my goal isn’t to have one perfect trip. My goal is to create as many memories as possible without coming home to credit card payments six months later.
Leave a Reply