Cheap Deals v Value for Money
When it comes to travel, the hunt for a cheap deal is almost a sport. There's loads of groups and profiles on facebook giving people hints and tips on how to find the cheapest deals and of course Tik Tok 'experts' telling us all how to nail the bottom dollar deal or get freebies and I'm sure we’ve all felt that little rush when we spot a bargain flight or a hotel price that seems too good to be true and we've hit the button to get the deal.
But here’s the thing: more often than not, cheap doesn’t mean good value.
To my mind, value for money is a concept that’s far more useful (and satisfying) than chasing the lowest price tag.
Cheap isn’t always the way to go ✈️
A cheap deal usually focuses on one thing only: price. The lowest fare - The smallest number -The headline offer that makes you click the button. But in travel, that number rarely tells the full story.
That budget option might mean: Extra fees on flights for bags, seat selection, or awkward flight times that eat into your trip, long layovers or long transfer times to your destination in low quality transport.
The same goes for hotels. A rock-bottom hotel choice might come with uncomfortable beds, poor locations, limited amenities, repetitve food choices, poor customer service, surprise charges or even poor health and safety standards. You saved money — but did you enjoy the stay? Or worse you didn't enjoy the stay and ended up paying for unexpected extras making things not-so-cheap in the long run.
Suddenly, that “bargain” costs more money, more time, doesn't meet expectations, causing frustration and disappointment and you come away feeling meh!
What value for money really means 🌍
Value for money looks beyond the price and asks a better question: What am I actually getting, for what I’m paying, and are those the important things for me?
Value is a very personal thing. What is important to me, may not be what is important to you and thats why in travel, it's important to take time to understand what you are getting for the price tag and what better experience you might have by paying a few pounds more.
What makes a holiday great, is usually a mix of a good travel experience, the right standard of accommodation, good facilities, comfort and cleanliness, convenience, reliability and yes, of course price — but not price alone.
A slightly more expensive hotel can provide many benefits: they might be closer to attractions helping you make the most of your time, include a quality breakfast meaning you're fueled up for a fun day ahead, there might be more restaurants available giving you greater choice, or provide better quality service, making you feel that little more special. That’s value.
A flight that costs a bit more but saves you sitting in an airport for a 6 hour connection, or conversely a really short connection meaning you have to run and hope your luggage keeps up with you avoids frustration, stress, and gets you there refreshed? Also value!
The upgraded package could provide free transfers, airport lounges, or open up resort facilities and give additional access to larger rooms or more restaurants. Added Value!
Time is money (especially on holiday)
One of the most overlooked parts of travel value is time.
When you’re on holiday, every moment is precious. Spending hours navigating complicated connections, fixing booking issues, or dealing with uncomfortable conditions can quietly but quickly drain the joy from your trip before you even get there.
Paying a little extra for smoother logistics often means: Less stress, arriving with more energy and creating memories worth keeping. Those things are hard to put a price on.
Quality experiences beat savings every time
Your holiday doesn't start when you get to your destination - getting from A to B is part of experience. How that journey makes you feel is all part of a great holiday. Sure, a disasterous journey might provide and entertaining story to tell after the fact but isn't at all fun when it's kicking off your trip.
Value-for-money travel prioritises: Quality facilities and service, timings that work for you, effective communications and support, met expectations and meaningful moments created.
Depending on your personal preferences, choosing a locally run hotel with character instead of the cheapest chain, or booking a tour that costs more but offers specialist local guides and smaller groups, can give you better vibes. You’re not just paying for a service — you’re investing in the experience.
The smarter way to travel
Choosing value over cheap doesn’t mean spending wildly or ignoring your budget. It simply means being intentional.
Ask yourself:
Does this price reflect what I’m getting?
Will this choice give me what I want or will it compromise my experience?
Are there extras we need to pay for later, in order to get the experience we want?
Am I really saving money, or am I just shifting the cost to later in the trip?
Often, the best holidays aren’t built on hitting the button to avoid FOMO by geting the cheapest options — they’re built on thoughtful choices that balance cost with quality and your personal expectations.
Sometimes the cheap fix may work fine - for a City break if you're going to be out and about all day, why pay out a ton for a flashy hotel to simply sleep? These are the times to focus your money on the most effective transport options to maximise your time.
If a flight is short, why not go cheap with a budget airline - you're not going to be sitting for that long, so comfort isn't necessarily a big deal - go for the cheap option...and focus your money on the experience in resort...unless of course you expect to be treated like royalty...
The role of your travel advisor
As a travel advisor I play a key role in helping you recognise the difference between a cheap deal and true value for money. With first-hand knowledge, trusted suppliers, and an understanding of what really matters on a trip, I can spot the hidden costs, flag potential compromises, and recommend options that offer better comfort, convenience, and experience for your budget. Often I can include added extras to enhance your experience based on what I know is important to you for minimal additional cost, sometimes for free.
Rather than simply chasing the lowest price, I help you to spend your hard earned money wisely — ensuring your money delivers a smoother, more enjoyable holiday with less unwelcome surprises...and when things don't go quite as planned I'm also there to support you to get your trip back on track.
Final thought
Cheap deals can be tempting, and occasionally they truly are great finds. But when planning travel, value for money is the better compass. It leads to smoother journeys, richer experiences, and holidays you remember for the right reasons.
Because at the end of the day, the best holidays don’t feel cheap — they feel worth it.
If you'd like to have a chat about your next holiday, you can contact me via WhatsApp on 07726286903, email me at [email protected] or book a time to chat via my calendar HERE.
