5 Travel Expenses You Should Splurge On

The following is a list of five travel expenses I really think are a necessity (and money well spent) rather than travel expenses you should “splurge on”.

1. TRAVEL INSURANCE

With the way the world is nowadays and the cost of travel, it really isn’t a splurge to buy travel insurance. It’s a necessity for most trips. From missed flights to medical emergencies, you need to be protected from major out-of-pocket expenses. InsureMyTrip will compare companies and generate a list of top choices for you. The average cost is 5% of your trip cost but some companies offer annual (unlimited) travel insurance for around $125.

Here’s the insurance I think is best!

2. REFUNDABLE AIRLINE TICKET

It is cheaper, no doubt, to buy a non-refundable airline ticket. And I used to do it all the time. Here’s why I don’t do it anymore. If you need to change a ticket, you will incur all penalties, fees, and increased fares from most airlines NO MATTER THE REASON. Some airlines will work with you if you have a death certificate from a family member and that is the reason for the change (This is not the same as a bereavement fare). However, a refundable airline ticket allows you to be refunded the full amount of the ticket in most cases. Just be sure you are aware of the airline’s time limit for cancellation to receive a full refund. It can be anywhere from two weeks to 48 hours prior to your flight.

I think this is one of the best online airline booking sites and you can cancel up to 24 hours later if you find a better deal or change your mind!

3. SMALL GROUP TRAVEL

There are times, especially with adventure travel and other specialty travel, that it is cheaper and more convenient to travel in small groups rather than independently. The logistics of coordinating all the various travel components when you are in developing countries can be challenging, to say the least. It is best to leave these things to local guides and drivers. There is also safety in numbers. This is important depending on where you are traveling to. You may not realize how close you are to war areas, terrorists, or high crime areas. I like Overseas Adventure Travel, Contiki, Intrepid, G Adventures, and Thomson Family Adventures.

4. EASY ENTRY

TSA PreCheck allows you to bypass long, airport security lines and use an “express” line if you have been pre-screened by TSA. And you don’t have to remove your shoes or other clothing. Or you can opt for Global Entry, which is a bit more of an application process. However, with the Global Entry program, TSA PreCheck is included. Furthermore, you don’t have to wait through long lines of people entering the U.S. from from international flights. You simply go up to a Global Entry kiosk, check-in, and you are on your way. You also quality for expedited entry to other countries. No processing times! No paperwork!

5. GET A GUIDEBOOK

Guidebooks are invaluable, even if you’re going on a tour. On most tours, there is usually “down time” when you can relax or explore on your own. You need to know the best use of your time and money for those times. Make a small investment and buy a book that you can take with you (You can go to the library but the selection is usually not as good as Amazon travel guidebooks and they may be a little bit outdated). Good guidebooks pay for themselves a thousand times over. You will learn tips and tricks that are invaluable. You will discover activities and attractions you weren’t aware of, even if you did online research. You will find out about important traditions and cultural do’s and don’ts, as well as holidays and operating hours so you don’t plan to go on the one day the place is closed and so forth. I’ve written many guidebooks and I know what travelers are looking for, so check out my books if you are going to any of the destinations I’ve written about. By the way, I’m not just saying this because I write guidebooks. I really do believe you will discover things to make your trip easier and better for less than $20.

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