Most of us are familiar with the terms budget travel and luxury travel.  We can probably even define them, although our definitions will probably differ. Which of these is value travel?

Budget travel can certainly be value travel but luxury travel can be as well.  Value travel is getting a good return on the travel dollars in your pocket whether that is $100 or $1000.

For some, a good value means the ability to take a vacation they otherwise afford.  At the other end of the spectrum, some don’t care what travel costs.

Let’s look at a couple travel scenarios and see if we can define value or not.  

A value package?

I found a 7 day trip to Amsterdam from the East coast of the U.S. for $755 per person, including airfare and lodging.  While it is hard to argue this is a great value is it worth it?  Is it a good value for you?  Maybe the lodging isn’t luxurious for you.  The airfare doesn’t include checked bags so depending on your needs that could add to the cost.  I could certainly take advantage of this value as I can pack easily for a week with carryon only.  I don’t care about hotel amenities on a trip to Amsterdam as I would spend almost all my waking time out and about the city.

True airfare value …

Another example would be an airfare from New York to Manila.  I would certainly prefer to fly business class.  My wallet would prefer not to pay $3500 for a round trip ticket.  The $900 economy fare makes my wallet much happier but doesn’t do much for my comfort.  The premium economy price is $400 more than economy, a 45% increase in price.  But that premium economy product is so nice, think old domestic business class.  Once I take a closer look the additional cost is about $10 per hour for my 40 hour round trip flights.  I bet after a few hours in economy that $10 per hour will sound like a pretty good value.  I’m going for the premium economy ticket.

Good value hotel? Depends on your trip…

Looking at a lodging deal I find a $500 per night hotel room in Paris for only $300 per night.  There’s no denying this looks like a great value.  That is until I remember previous trips to Paris where I tend to spend minimal time in the room.  I would find this deal a much better value at an island resort in Hawaii.

What is your idea of value travel?  I am confident be a reader my insights will uncover some great values for you and might even give you some new ways to analyze travel deals.