I've spent 30 years chasing luxury travel on a budget - here are 50 ways to do it

I've always loved the luxury life. When I first started travelling as a university student in the 1990s, my bank balance was low, but my standards were high. Camping? Backpacking? No, thanks. I had my sights set on more exotic destinations, like a five-star luxury weekend on the Goldie. I collected Flybuys points, scoured the Shopa Dockets for deals and saved part of my weekly pay from a part-time job at Grace Bros.

Fast-forward 30 years and my love of high-flying travel hasn't waned, nor has my appreciation of deals and insider tips for incredible experiences at a discount price. Those money-saving hacks are everywhere now, if you know where to look. So, to every champagne traveller on a beer budget, I say here's to the luxe life.

Get more for your money with smart planning and flexible arrangements.

1. Stretch the dollar: Visit luxury destinations where your dollar stretches further, advises Expedia. In 2026, that includes Vietnam, Thailand and Albania, where five-star accommodation is a relative bargain.

2. Mix 'n' match: Even for high rollers, travelling luxe every second is expensive. Choose your splurge. I usually fly economy, but stay in a five-star resort, or stay in a mid-priced hotel and eat at fancy restaurants.

3. Zig when they zag: Travelling off-season and outside of school holidays is one of the surest ways to get more bang for your buck, according to the experts at Luxury Escapes. Lower occupancy also means easier access to hotel room upgrades.

4. Embrace the volatility: In 2026, prices are volatile and tend to fluctuate rapidly. Book the refundable option on everything from airfares to hotel rooms to car hire, then cancel/rebook if the price drops.

5. Premium Insurance: Many credit cards offer the perk of free travel insurance to cardholders. Remember to read the fine print before you book, and take advantage of complimentary rental car insurance and trip delay coverage.

Flying luxe for less in 2026 is all about smart hacks, strategic bidding and predictive tech.

6. Bid for an upgrade: If airlines invite you to bid on a business class upgrade before the flight, go low. I scored a transatlantic pointy-end upgrade on TAP Air Portugal for just 200 euros.

7. The open-jaw strategy: Fly into Rome and out of Paris, or into Singapore and out of Bangkok. It often costs the same as a return flight, but saves you the cost of a high-speed rail or regional flight to return to your entry point.

8. Lounge before the flight: A long-haul economy flight is easier to face after a few wines in the business-class lounge. Pay-to-play lounges and apps like LoungeBuddy grant access for as little as $50.

9. Stopover for next-to-nix: Enjoy a stopover stay on the way to your final destination by taking advantage of discounted hotel accommodation and no additional airfare when you fly participating airlines, including Icelandair and Singapore Airlines.

10. Look for sign-on bonuses: Savvy travellers with good credit scores make the most of new credit card sign-on bonuses, often enough airline points for a free return flight from Australia to Europe.

11. Guarantee comfort and space: Secure more personal space in economy by booking an extra seat (known as a comfort seat booking, in airline lingo). Two low-cost economy fares are usually much cheaper than one in business.

12. Track and trace: Use flight aggregator sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights to track prices for the lowest fares on specific routes. Or, roll the dice and use the "Explore" tab to check out prices to multiple destinations.

13. Their mistake, your win: Error fares, when an airline mistakenly lists a flight price at way below its value, do happen. Book it while it's hot and save a motza. Error-tracking sites include Going and Secret Flying.

14. No frills, still thrills: Premium cabins of low-cost carriers Jetstar and Scoot offer leather reclining seats, priority boarding and lots of legroom at a fraction of the cost of full-service business class.

15. Selective upgrades: Luxury doesn't require going all-in. Savvy travellers upgrade only the things that make the biggest difference. Instead of booking a business-class return fare, upgrade the longest leg.

Save on fine dining and drinking with these delicious money-saving tips.

16. The happiest hour: Book hotels that offer complimentary wine hours in the lobby. In New York City, The Evelyn and Hotel Edison are two popular Manhattan accommodations with regular free wine events.

17. Eat early: The gold standard for saving on fine dining is to eat a prix-fixe lunch instead of dinner. At many top restaurants, diners can save up to 50 per cent on popular dishes using this hack.

18. BYO booze: Frequent diners seek out upmarket restaurants with generous BYO policies. That $40 bottle of shiraz at the bottle shop can easily run to more than $120 at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

19. Daily deals: Get savvy with dining apps on your phone that offer up to half off food and drinks. EatClub and First Table in Australia make it easy for users to find last-minute and off-peak deals.

20. Sit at the bar: Hospitality insiders use this hack all the time to save money at upscale restaurants; sitting at the bar gets you access to discounted menus and specials available only in that area.

Think like a luxury cruise insider and sail without the five-figure price tag.

21. Reposition like a pro: When cruise lines need to move their fleets (say, from the Mediterranean to the US, or Australia to Alaska), the per-night cost on these longer, seasonal, "repositioning" cruises can drop by up to 50 per cent.

22. Flash your status: Frequent cruisers can take advantage of loyalty perks and status matching, according to Cruise Guru, an online cruise travel agent. Unlock significant savings and freebies on drinks, specialty dining and laundry.

23. Stay in the loop: Sign up for marketing emails from cruise lines, and you'll be the first to know about flash sales and promotions. Some limited-time sale fares are announced on social media channels.

24. Leverage last-minute drops: Cruise lines really don't want to sail with empty suites, even if it means slashing their prices at the last minute. I've scored amazing deals on the Vacations to Go site for imminent sailings.

25. Don't book the lowest fare: It seems counterintuitive, but budget cruise fares can end up costing more than all-inclusive luxury fares after you add Wi-Fi, specialty dining, drinks and gratuities. Look at value, not price.

26. Shore thing: Be discerning when booking expensive shore excursions; if the ship is docked in a central location, it's often better to go it alone. Save the spend for hard-to-access attractions and exclusive experiences.

27. Solo savings: Parties of one will feel the pricey sting of paying two fares for one cruise cabin, but not if they book "no single supplement" deals. Cruise lines including Crystal and Avalon Waterways regularly offer this special.

28. Spa in port: Stay on the ship while others explore the port and you'll save significantly on spa and salon treatments. If there's a spa tour on embarkation day, go along for the raffle giveaway of spa vouchers for attendees.

29. Onto the next: Consider booking your next cruise while on the current one to get special discounts and preferred cabins. NCL is one line that allows guests to purchase credits onboard for future sailings and receive bonus onboard credit.

30. Book through an agent: Most cruise lines work with partner travel agents who are authorised to offer discounts, perks and upgrades that aren't available to the public. Bonus: You can call on them for help if you need it.

You know what's better than a travel discount? A freebie that's really worth something.

31. Walk this way: Sign up for a free walking tour via sites such as FREETOUR.com and Guru Walk. Guides are usually knowledgeable locals who are happy to show you around. Tips are always appreciated.

32. Meet at the museum: Many world-class museums and galleries offer free entry (or pay as you wish) on designated days of the week or month. Entry to the Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan, for example, is free every Friday evening.

33. Free for you: Ask if your hotel has any bikes that are free to borrow, or even a "house car" for complimentary drop-offs within a certain radius. Many hotels are happy to provide toiletries if you've left yours at home.

34. Loyalty pays dividends: Even if you don't plan on collecting points, join the loyalty program of an airline, cruise line or hotel to immediately access free Wi-Fi, late checkout, welcome gifts and invitations to special gatherings.

35. Ticketless transport: Luxembourg is the first country in the world to offer nationwide free public transport (buses, trains and trams) for residents and visitors. Several cities offer fare-free travel.

Slay with the stay, don't overpay. Hotel discounts are everywhere, if you look.

41. Weekend warrior: Luxury hotels in city business districts are rich pickings for deals on weekends, especially Sunday night stays, when corporate groups and conference attendees go home. Stay on after a business trip for some "bleisure" time.

42. Resist the minibar: Don't blow the budget on a $12 can of Coke and overpriced peanuts. Minibar temptations are there to price-gouge the hungry, thirsty traveller. Hotels with complimentary minibar drinks and snacks are rare, but they do exist.

43. Be neighbourly: Pay for a premium hotel, then access upscale facilities (pools, spas and restaurants) of the luxury hotel next door: Avani Kalutara in Sri Lanka is adjacent to Anantara Kalutara (both part of Minor Hotels); likewise Avani+ Riverside and Anantara Riverside in Bangkok.

44. Bundle up: The smart money is on accommodation package deals. Look for Luxury Escapes' bundles with all the inclusions like daily breakfast, cocktail hour, airport transfers, even full board. Save a fortune, especially when travelling with kids.

45. Life is a mystery: If you're not wedded to a particular hotel brand, take a chance on Hotwire or Priceline's five-star hotel mystery deals. A bit of internet sleuthing and you can probably guess the hotel by looking at the neighbourhood and review score.

Some travel luxuries and conveniences are always worth the spend.

46. Airport pickup: Pre-arrange a transfer from the airport to your hotel, especially after a long flight or in an unfamiliar city. It takes the hassle out of navigating public transport and local rideshare logistics, plus it gets you to your hotel faster.

47. Private tours: In countries like Vietnam or Thailand, hiring a private driver/tour guide for a half-day can cost less than a 30-minute Uber in London. Book on sites such as Klook or KKday for better prices and real-time availability.

48. Stay connected: I'm a big fan of eSIM phone connectivity. No more fruitless searches for free Wi-Fi or shelling out $10 per day on roaming fees. I recently paid about $US1 per day for an Airalo eSIM in Japan.

49. Don't cut it fine: Plan to arrive in the embarkation city at least a day before your cruise departs. The cost of that one hotel night could save you the expense and disappointment of missing the cruise if there's a flight delay.

50. The perfect souvenir: Special souvenirs from trips of a lifetime are precious. If you fall for a piece of art in Bali, a beautiful plate in Positano or a beaded mask in Cape Town, treat yourself. Just don't forget to haggle.