Schweden

We all have different priorities when spending our money during travel. What are you willing to pay more for when travelling? Is it for a business/first class ticket? Stays at five-star hotels? Meals at Michelin-starred restaurants? Luxury car rentals? Or maybe you have enough money that you spend a lot on everything?

Given the large price difference between international economy/business/first fares, I've never paid for an international business class seat in my life. To get into business class, I've either used points or been upgraded by having purchased a nearly full-fare economy class ticket (Y or V). That said, I do splurge my Aeroplan points on business class seats rather than redeeming cheaper economy class ones.

I am particularly cheap when it comes to accommodation. I nearly always never stay at anything nicer than a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express and I've even stayed at Red Roof Inns or gone camping when possible. I've only once or twice willingly paid for higher-end hotels such as Conrad or Sofitel.

Since I usually travel alone, I dislike going to high-end formal restaurants and I usually just have fast food for most trips.

The thing I place the most importance on when travelling is the car rental. I almost always try to get luxury (not sport) cars such as the BMW 7 series or the Porsche Cayenne. I am usually even willing to spend 2-3 times more than a full-size rate for a slightly nicer car such as a BMW 320i vs. Toyota Camry in New Zealand or a Mazda CX-9 vs. a Nissan Altima in Canada. All told, I probably spend more on a car rental plus gas than on hotels during most trips.

CMK10

A decent hotel for one. I used to be "all I need is a bed" kind of guy but I'm not anymore. I want a chain hotel, preferably a Hilton. I also want a decent rental car...no Compacts and I want to eat well. I brown bag my lunch at home and then cook cheap dinners but when I'm on the road, I want good food and good drink.

OskiBear

Primarily lodging. However, it just has to hit an acceptability standard that isn't always defined by how many stars. I'm perfectly happy with a Hampton Inn and have been offended by cleanliness at 5-star hotels around the world. That said, I will occasionally splurge, within reason, when it's a good deal.

I'm a total tightwad when it comes to food when traveling. In fact, I'll eat at a McDonald's if that's quick and easy.

Don't generally buy premium cabin - work on my mileage accrual for upgrades and redemption awards in premium cabins.

Tchiowa

I hire a limo to take me from home to the airport ($150, not all that much) and again on my return. I always fly business class and I stay in 5* hotels.

I'm happy to eat at food courts or chain restaurants. Sizzler and Pizza Hut are fine with me. So I don't splurge on food.

danielonn

I like to splurge on a good restaurant with locals. I also enjoy trying the local mircrobrews(and going during happy hour leads me to great prices on appetizers and beers as well as meeting locals).

If I see a good bottle of wine or good chocolates then of course I won't turn them down.

I personally would not splurge on a Mc Donalds in another country. Just a waste of money in my opinion. I could get a better meal for less in my opinion.

BuildingMyBento

When I'm in East Asia, I'll typically browse for electronics, and eat copious amounts of whatever looks good.

rbwpi

I don't splurge. The money I save by not splurging can be used for additional travel, as all my travel is leisure.

CitizenWorld

Everything. Money is for spending and I don't get much vacation time.

mikew99

It's quite interesting how we travel so differently: I recently stayed at a Comfort Inn, and I felt that it was the bottom of the barrel for me in terms of accommodations -- I wouldn't want to stay at any place cheaper than that. If I can't stay at a 4- or 5-star luxury hotel when I travel [for vacation], I'd rather just stay home.

On the other hand, when it comes to car rentals, I try to avoid those as much as possible. When I must rent a car, I just get the cheapest (and preferably the smallest) car available. My target is US$25/day, including all taxes and fees. I very rarely am willing to pay more than that.

The place I am particularly cheap is when it comes to ground transportation. I loathe taxis and will take public transportation (luggage in tow) whenever possible. It's not unusual for me to hop off the metro or city bus and check into a Park Hyatt.

Doc Savage

Not even ones that serve beer?

Schweden

Not cheap enough! I was checking in once and the guy beside me had walked with his luggage from Berlin Tegel Airport to the Wyndham Grand Potsdamer Platz (~6 miles)!

indianwells

Agreed! Money only has one use and as you say it is for spending. Who wants to be the richest man in the graveyard?

helosc

I always buy cheap airline tickets well ahead of my travel time ( on respectable airlines though ).

When at my destination, I always use public transport, very rarely taxis ( I travel where public transport is good to excellent ).

I like to stay in nice hotels and am willing to pay for this ( often I buy well beforehand at a sale and therefore get a good deal on high end hotels ).

I like my food so there I am also willing to spend extra money - it depends on the destination though. Most places I visit are cheaper than at home so there I'll splash on food happily. But when in more expensive places, not so much. When going to Norway for example, I don't eat in fancy/expensive restaurants.
So some of my trips are what I call gourmet trips and some are not.
I am going to Prague in a few days time and Prague is definitely a gourmet trip for me and I am happy to spend a lot of money on food as I feel I get my money's worth.

China Clipper

Interesting discussion. For my part, I use money and miles for business or first-class esp on overseas flights. For one thing, it's worth it to me to get sleep on the way east so I don't lose a day recovering. For another, I'm 6'-4" and simply can't fit in coach seats anymore.

The other thing I really throw money away on is premium cruise lines. I've never even been on a mass-market cruise and should probably try it sometime!

On the other hand, I don't stay in top hotels, even though I like looking at their websites. The prices just shock me. It would be different if they floated to a new city overnight

RonaldRoss

Good choice of thread indeed. For me I will splurge on whatever is necessary to make the trip something memorable. I will often go to great lengths and costs to go somewhere simply because it is a destination I have yet to visit, and if I do then that is enough to get me excited about the trip.
If its yet another trip to the US then a cool hotel, exotic rental car or an out of the way routing all help to make the trip something a little more special.
Higher end food always seems to come further down the priority list.