Why “Cheaping Out” on Your Vacation Could Cost You the Vacation You Deserve

Let’s talk about the real cost of a “cheap” trip.

Everyone loves a good deal. I get it. But when you start cutting corners on something that’s supposed to be unforgettable, you can end up paying in ways that hurt a lot more than your wallet. Think stress, disappointment, missed experiences, and hours you’ll never get back.

As a luxury travel advisor, I’ve seen this play out more times than I can count. People try to DIY a once-in-a-lifetime trip or go for the lowest price, only to find out it doesn’t come close to the kind of vacation they were actually hoping for.

Here’s why trying to save a few bucks might cost you the exact experience you were chasing — and how having the right expert in your corner can change the entire game.

1. You lose hours (sometimes days) trying to plan it all yourself.

Sure, the internet makes it easy to book a flight or a hotel. But building a seamless, elevated travel experience? That’s a whole different thing. Between researching destinations, comparing hotels, sorting through reviews, figuring out time zones and transfers, it’s a full-time job.

What takes most people 20 hours or more, I can often do in a fraction of the time ( and with way better results).

And that’s not even counting the time you’ll spend fixing things if something goes wrong.

2. You don’t know what you don’t know.

Travel blogs and booking sites only scratch the surface. They don’t tell you which "5-star" hotels are actually a little tired, or which neighborhoods are loud at night. They don’t tell you which excursions are genuinely worth it or what’s likely to be overcrowded during your dates. They definitely don’t show you where to find those once-in-a-lifetime moments, like a chef’s table in Tuscany or a private sunrise safari in Kenya.

That’s the stuff a good advisor knows. And not just from research , but from lived experience and trusted, behind-the-scenes networks.

3. You miss out on perks you didn’t even know existed.

Book on your own and you get what you see. Book with a well-connected advisor and you might get room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late check-out, welcome gifts, and access to experiences that aren’t even advertised to the public.

These extras often outweigh the cost of the service itself.

4. You’re on your own when something goes wrong.

Flights get canceled. Hotels overbook. Transit strikes happen. If you’ve booked everything yourself, guess who’s staying up until 2 a.m. in a different time zone trying to fix it?

Now imagine having someone who already knows your itinerary, has the right contacts, and can start solving the issue while you’re still processing what just happened.

That’s what peace of mind looks like.

5. What looks like a “deal” might not be a deal at all.

Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s valuable. I’ve seen travelers rack up extra costs from change fees, bad exchange rates, tourist traps, and last-minute changes that could have been avoided. What looked like a bargain ends up being more expensive — and less enjoyable — than just doing it right from the beginning.

Luxury travel isn’t always about price. It’s about value. It’s about comfort, ease, thoughtfulness, and the ability to actually enjoy your time away.

Here’s what that value can look like:

• Staying up through the night to help a client whose delayed flight caused them to miss their connection to Fiji. I made the calls, got her rebooked, secured compensation for the overnight, and even handled her meal credits. Why was this worth it? Because she was traveling alone with two small children and needed someone to manage the logistics while she focused on her family.

• Coordinating an emergency replacement car for a family traveling in rural Mexico. Their rental’s back window shattered unexpectedly. I stepped in, got them a safe replacement, and helped them navigate their insurance claim, all while they stayed focused on enjoying their trip.

• Saving a family of six from a total trip disaster. They had an idea of where they wanted to stay, and what they wanted to do, but after a full consultation and sharing my own experience with the hotel they picked, we uncovered a major problem. The beds wouldn’t have worked, and their plan was wildly unrealistic. Without the right guidance, they would have ended up frustrated and disappointed. Instead, they got a trip that actually matched their vision.

These kinds of moments are why I do what I do.

I work with incredibly capable people — professionals, parents, leaders — who could absolutely plan their own travel. But they recognize the value in having someone who’s done it before, who knows what to ask, and who can make sure their time away is actually restful, exciting, and worth every second.

So if you're ready to stop cutting corners and start traveling with intention, I’d love to help you plan something that truly feels like a reward.

Let’s make sure your next trip is one to remember — for all the right reasons.