19 Money Hacks for a Luxury Vacation

While road trips and budget getaways can still be a boatload of fun, there are situations where only a luxury vacation will do. However, luxury travel is far from cheap, so you'll need to be strategic if you want to make your money stretch. These 19 tips can help you get more bang for your buck when it comes to your travel budget.

Google Flights is a free service that lets you compare pricing on airfare across all major airlines. Not only that, but if you're flexible on where you travel, you can even search by region (i.e. "Europe" or "the Caribbean"). Be as flexible as you can on where you travel and which airline you fly with, and you're bound to save big.

If you want a place to escape within the crowded airport, airport lounges are the place to be. Fortunately, an array of travel credit cards offer free entry into airport lounges that serve food and drink (and even alcohol) while you wait for your flight to depart.

You might be surprised at how affordable all-inclusive resorts can be for the level of luxury you can receive. In some destinations (think Mexico), for example, you can book a fixe-star luxury all-inclusive resort for less than $300 per night. Since food, drink and entertainment are included, you'll save even more.

Try to avoid getting your heart set on traveling to a specific destination since that's the worst way to get a good deal. For the biggest savings, consider booking travel outside of major tourist areas and cities. For example, you could book a trip to Bologna, Italy instead of Rome, or to the Greek island of Crete instead of Santorini.

TheFlightDeal.com is a valuable tool if you're looking for inexpensive flight deals all around the globe. The deals don't last for long (usually just a few days), but you can often find international flight deals for a few hundred bucks, or even premium cabin flights for a fraction of the normal price.

If you have a stash of airline miles you haven't been able to use, consider using them to splurge for Business or First class flights. Doing so will ensure your miles get put to use, and you'll only be on the hook for airline taxes and fees.

Also look for ways to stretch your airline miles further, which you can do with nearly any frequent flyer program. For example, the American AAdvantage program has web special deals that let you book flights with fewer miles, and Delta Air Lines normally has their own SkyMiles deals.

For a luxury trip on a budget, also look into whether you can pay for an economy flight with cash and upgrade with unused airline miles later on. Most major frequent flyer programs offer this option, yet availability may be limited and cannot be guaranteed.

You can use the website TrustedHousesitters.com to connect with homeowners who offer free lodging in exchange for home care and pet care. Being a housesitter means you will have to care for a furry friend during your trip, but many luxury homes and destinations have been up for grabs on this site over the years.

Hotel credit cards often let you earn an initial signup bonus worth at least a few free hotel nights. While the rewards you will earn will vary, you may earn enough points for a few stays at a luxury hotel. Some cards even give you a free hotel night on your cardmember anniversary each year.

If you are hoping to make your travel budget stretch as far as it can go, steer clear of peak travel dates and holiday breaks. You'll save more on luxury travel if you're able to book your trip during shoulder season in your chosen destination. At the very least, try not to search for travel during school breaks.

Try searching the web for last-minute travel deals on websites like Expedia and Priceline. You may find you can save big if you're willing to travel to a new destination within a few weeks of booking, although you'll have the best shot at low pricing if you're also flexible on where you go.

Cruises can be more luxurious than people realize, and they can be on the affordable side since your lodging, transportation and food are all included in the price. The website VacationstoGo.com is a good resource for finding cheap cruise deals around the globe, and it even features offers from the world's most luxurious cruise lines.

If you know of a brand new hotel or resort, check out its new deals for dates you can travel. New properties often offer sweeping discounts when they're first getting started, and that's especially true if you travel during a "soft opening," or a trial run for the hotel.

Vacation bundles can be a good deal since they combine your airfare, hotel and sometimes a rental car for one low price. You can search for vacation bundles using any discount travel site like Expedia.com, CheapCaribbean.com or Travelocity.com.

Want to travel well off the beaten path? Consider an emerging or trending destination that has luxury accommodations. Examples of emerging destinations include Panama, the Philippines, Uruguay and Montenegro, to name a few.

If you're hoping to book luxury travel for a honeymoon, a wedding, an anniversary or a birthday, see if you can get an upgrade. Try emailing or calling the hotel or resort ahead of time, and make sure you speak with the hotel manager or concierge. The worst they can say is "no."

Glamping is nothing more than upgraded camping with a luxury vibe. Fortunately, there are a ton of glamping spots around the country, which feature upgraded cabins, lush and comfortable bedding and plenty of creature comforts while letting you enjoy nature.

Finally, consider doing a home exchange if you live in a destination other people might want to visit. Websites like HomeExchange.com connect homeowners who want to swap properties and enjoy a "free" getaway, so make sure to check for destinations and properties that suit your style.