Is Cheaper Travel Always Better?

Look, I totally get it! You want the best price and are willing to search and search and search to get that.  I truly understand, I am quite the frugal person too.  I'll drive 5-10 minutes further on the highway to find gas that's 20 cents cheaper. But...when it comes to travel, perhaps we should think about it a little bit further.

If one was to google "cheap travel" you'd find that there's roughly 5.7 million hits.  Yikes! This will give you tons of options...and if you research it long enough, you may discover that price difference that made it worth your while, but I doubt so.  How much is your own time worth?

We know that price almost always equals quality.  And most times those items that are the cheapest made...are usually the most poorly manufactured and don't tend to last very long.  Have you ever flown one of those "super cheap" airlines...Well, I did last year and ask me how that went (I'll give you a hint...NOT Well)!  The airlines didn't wow me one bit and we had the worst service I'd seen in a long time.  We won't be flying with them again, trust me!

Do you call your doctor, dentist, surgeon, or financial advisor for the cheapest rates?  I am guessing you did not, because you were probably thinking that you get what you pay for!  Travel is no different.
Your next vacation will not be inexpensive.  You'll likely spend more than you did last year.  Your doctor deals with the most difficult times of your life (and he/she's worth it).  Your travel professional (me) would be dealing with the most memorable and best moments of your life (and I'm worth it).  Don't you want these vacation memories to be special?

Did you know that those "rock bottom" cheaper travel sites we all see on TV are controlled by about 3 major companies?  This means the cheapest price is universal. We all have the same prices, the same cheap deals and the same products to sell.  The difference is a professional who is able to steer you clear of those "cheap hotels" that wouldn't be suitable for their own worst enemy.  One who isn't motivated by commissions to get the sale, at any cost necessary.  It's a numbers game for these internet sites.

If we were to focus strictly on hotel rooms alone for our example, perhaps this will make sense, so bear with me. Let's say you booked your best "deal" at a Hotel in Asheville, NC.  Did you know that most hotels actually overbook (like the airlines do)?  Whose reservation do you think they would fail to honor first, a travel professional (who has loyal, consistent clientele) or a website?  They know your loyalty would be with the next cheap hotel night stay on the internet, instead of coming back again. 

Did you know we let our hotels know when our clients are arriving and ask that our clients be treated extra special?  We had a client a couple weeks ago get a free upgrade to a Luxury Suite, just because we called the hotel management staff in advance, just to let them know our valued client was coming and we also asked for any special perks or VIP benefits for our clients.

In closing, lets consider these facts about 'cheap hotels':

• Did you know that most cheap or even moderately priced hotels, have bedspreads that are rarely changed.  The standard in these places seems to be every 6 months!
• Does that cheap hotel come with the best in night-time security? Or have any security for that matter? Is it in a decent neighborhood, or is that cheap price due to the fact it's atmosphere is seedy.
• Rude guests can ruin any hotel nights stay.  Who would your fellow guests be in that cheapest accommodation that you were able to afford, or wanted to spend?
• Did you know that is most cheap or even moderately priced hotels (like major brands) tell their maids to "eyeball" the sheets and are encouraged to not change them unless it appears absolutely necessary? It's true!

We wish you safe travels, when you're looking for quality and best pricing, consider a travel professional, like Escape Destinations Travel.

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