Given a choice, we would all travel in the lap of luxury, catching a private jet to a tropical island resort. Sadly, unless your name is Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian, private jets are well out of reach and a luxury vacation is the stuff of daydreams; or at least that is the assumption. The good news is that anyone can plan a luxury vacation and you don’t need deep pockets – you just need to be a smart traveler.

Pick a Destination

The destination is very important, as some spots are more expensive than others are. Luxury invokes resort hotels and 5* villas in Cancun, but there are plenty of more affordable vacation destinations where you can wake up to sun-kissed beaches, swaying palms, and the sound of birdsong. Take Thailand, for instance. There are some amazing resorts in Thailand where you can enjoy a luxury vacation for a fraction of the price you would pay to stay in a similar hotel on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Alternatively, what about the British Virgin Islands?  There are plenty of luxury activities to enjoy there.  Sample a BVI sailing itinerary or go on a private diving excursion.  Luxury holidays don’t have to mean expensive costs.

Cheap Luxury Airfares

Frequent flyer schemes are the easiest way to enjoy premium class travel. It’s perfect if you are a frequent business flyer, as you have plenty of opportunities to accrue air miles. You can use your air miles to upgrade your flights from Economy to Business Class or even First-Class, so start saving, and when you have enough, splash out on seats in a Premium Class.

Luxury Accommodation

Use price aggregator websites to chase great deals on luxury accommodation. Hoteliers often sell off empty rooms cheaply close to the travel date rather than make a loss. If you are the type of person who doesn’t mind waiting for a last-minute deal, this is a great opportunity to snap up a room in a luxury hotel at a discount price. It’s also worth asking for an upgrade when you arrive. Be polite, smartly dressed, and tell the receptionist you or your other half are celebrating an anniversary/honeymoon. You never know, it might work!

If hotel accommodation doesn’t appeal, look for a luxury villa somewhere scenic. It’s incredibly easy to look for luxury self-catering accommodation online. Owners often advertise their homes on sites like Airbnb. Making a booking through a reputable website like Airbnb is safer, but you can make an independent booking direct with the owner. However, be aware that there are scammers out there who create bogus listings, so have your wits about you and use a credit card so you are protected if the payment goes wrong.

Hire a Luxury Rental Auto

Nothing feels more luxurious than driving around in a sports car. Book your rental automobile in advance and splash out on something flashy, even if it’s only for a few days.

With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a luxury vacation at economy prices, so dig out your designer shades and start packing today!