Indulge: 31 ways to add luxury to your holiday for free (or close to it)

Luxury means something very different now to what it meant at the end of the 20th century, when it often denoted indulgence and ostentation. Now, luxury doesn’t necessarily equate to expensive because it is – in some respects – less material and more experiential. In the travel realm, it represents quality, comfort, personalised service, special experiences, true convenience and touches that minimise stress and diminish the chances of things going awry.

But of course, the things we regard as classic material travel luxuries – such as bigger hotel rooms, limo transfers, massages, included meals and welcome gifts on arrival – can blow the budget of even a platinum Amex holder.

And perhaps the most precious of luxuries is priceless: the time to travel.

While we may not be able to clear your diary for you, this list of more than 30 ways to put the luxe into your travels for nix – or next to it – is designed to help you add that little something special to your sojourn. From our BYO business-class accoutrements to savvy savings tips, we trust you’ll find ways to upgrade your travels.

FLIGHTS

Plane to see

Not all economy-class seats are created equal. You can have some say in where you end up, and in economy, the ultimate luxuries are choice and whatever extra space you can nab, even if it’s incremental. There are several aircraft map sites that can show you the best and worst of the seats on your plane. Many fare categories allow you to choose your seat for nothing. But even if you’re charged for the privilege, it can be money well spent. See aerolopa.com and seatmaestro.com

STAYS

Room upgrades

If you’re a regular traveller, it pays to stay within one loyalty program. Frequent guests of a brand – or even several brands owned by a bigger umbrella organisation, such as Marriott – are more likely to get a better room for their buck. And the more points you accumulate in a program such as Marriott Bonvoy, the more you have to upgrade yourself. See marriott.com

Check-in/check-out

You’re already in the lap of luxury when you stay at a Peninsula property, but when you book these gorgeous five-star hotels directly or with your “preferred travel advisor”, you’re privy to Peninsula Time: complimentary early check-in from 6am and late check-out till 10pm.

Other hotels offer extended time too, many only to top-tier loyalty members. But it never hurts to ask politely. Often, if the hotel doesn’t need the room, or it’s not being serviced the morning of your arrival, the extra hours may be granted. See peninsula.com

Be direct

This leads us to direct booking generally. While the rates can be tempting on third-party websites, hotels prefer direct bookings for various reasons. Many will price match anyway, and direct bookings are more likely to attract little extras. Crown Hotels, for instance, is providing a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival for direct reservations until the end of January 2025. See crownhotels.com.au

Transfer it

Getting to resorts and hotels from the airport can set you back hundreds – not to mention putting your teeth on edge with the jostle and hustle for a ride after a long flight. How lovely to have a driver waiting with your name on a card as you exit customs, and all the better if the ride is free. Look out for hotels, resorts, cruises and tours offering complimentary transfers. Often there are ephemeral offers, but some include transfers as a standard feature. Trafalgar offers free transfers on the first and last days of tours. See trafalgar.com

Look for the lows

So you aspire to stay just one night at that iconic five-star hotel, but your budget doesn’t share the dream? Look for nights when occupancy may be down. Sunday nights are when many leisure travellers have gone, and Thursdays are when business travellers head home. You could get great rates.

Shiny and new

New hotel and resort openings often come not just with great rates, but celebratory icing on top. For stays within six months of a new property opening across South-East Asia, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts offers 20 per cent off rooms and free breakfast. See ihg.com

Join the club

Certain categories of rooms at various hotels come with free access to a club lounge. If this sounds a bit business-like, well, yes, there’s that part of it. But often these lounges – such as the one at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport – offer free breakfast and even evening cocktails and canapes. There are also often complimentary snacks, tea, coffee and soft drinks available throughout the day. See changiairport.crowneplaza.com

Spam a lot

Subscribe to the newsletters of tourism operators that pique your interest – they often email special offers and decadent inclusions. A recent one from New Zealand’s stunning (and pricey) Otahuna Lodge, a Relais & Chateaux property, outlines a daffodil season package with a room upgrade worth $NZ400 ($359) a night, a complimentary picnic or plated lunch with a bottle of premium New Zealand wine, and a private guided tour of Otahuna’s 12 hectares of historic gardens, including the daffodil field. See relaischateaux.com

WELLNESS

Massages

If getting those knots kneaded out of your shoulders is important to you on a holiday, look for packages on websites like Luxury Escapes that include a spa component. But you don’t necessarily need to go to the resort or hotel spa – these are often far more expensive than a local operator that may be right next door. Just watch for those tell-tale signs of it being more than therapeutic.

Facials

A facial in a hotel spa can wipe out some budgets for a week. If your skin’s tired from a flight, or you just fancy some pampering, seek out local chains such as Carrefour and Boots in Europe and stock up on local facial products. Shopping local is a fun cultural experience, anyway, and afterwards you can pop a bottle of bubbles (bought cheap on your outing), slather your face and kick back on your hotel bed while streaming an episode or two of your favourite show.

Bike touring

Bike touring is a fun way to see a city, but an organised, guided outing can be an indulgence, setting you back anything from $80 to hundreds. If wheely good times are your thing, seek out hotels that offer complimentary bicycle use. Some even offer e-bikes.

Mat finish

Some hotels include yoga classes on TV and a mat in the wardrobe. Others go beyond, with gym equipment in the wardrobe. If a late-night workout is your jam, Even Hotels are for you. Find not just a quality mat, but yoga blocks, resistance bands and a Swiss ball. The brand is only in China and the US. See ihg.com/evenhotels

In the swim

If your budget digs don’t include a pool, try local public swimming facilities. Some can be spectacular, such as the Badeschiff (pool boat), a 27-metre watery delight moored on the Danube Canal in Vienna. See wien.info

FOOD

Bubble over

Some breakfast buffets, in Europe in particular, include a bottle of sparkling wine chilling enticingly in an ice bucket for your enjoyment. If it feels rude not to indulge, enjoy when a day by the pool is on the cards.

Set the bar

Want to kick back with a meal at your hotel, but the prices look out of reach? Check out the bar menu – it’s often cheaper and more casual than the main restaurant or room service.

Coffee time

Not all hotels have coffee-makers in their rooms, especially at the budget end, but they will likely have a kettle. BYO tea bags or coffee plus travel plunger. It’s the little things that start the day right.

RETAIL

Shop smart

Really want that luxury robe in the hotel closet? Taking it will eventually cost you. Look up the make and buy one online. Ritz-Carlton even has its own e-shop. Bricks-and-mortar hotel boutiques, however, may be overpriced. The locally made chocolates in the shop downstairs may be cheaper around the corner. Do your research before handing over the readies.

Play pretend

It costs nothing to browse in high-end shops like London’s Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. And if you want the nice bag and a bit of a Pretty Woman moment, you could buy a pair of socks, some biscuits or something small.

The arty set

Dress in black (or colourfully like Iris Apfel) and join artist receptions at local galleries. Look for listings in local press, flyers in windows or on art websites and enjoy the ambience, perhaps with a free glass or two. You don’t need to buy anything, but showing the artist some love on social media is a nice way of repaying the good time.

PERSONAL COMFORT

That’s a wrap

Invest in a lightweight, cosy, unisex shawl that folds down small and multitasks beyond a scarf or wrap as an in-flight blanket, bus pillow, afternoon nap companion and even a head cover if need be. The sense of wellbeing you get from warmth on an overnight flight, though, is a precious commodity – and not relying on a flimsy airline blanket alone to provide it is luxe 101. Everyday Cashmere has one option many Australian travel writers swear by – it’s expensive, but it lasts. You can find plenty cheaper but perhaps not of that quality. See everydaycashmere.com

Bask in a mask

BYO amenity kit to inject a little business class into your economy travel. An eye mask to block out light and ear plugs to block out noise can make a huge difference to in-flight rest – and they come cheap. Look out for free multi-use and washable hotel slippers to pop in your kit and use on the plane, too.

Shower power

No lounge access in transit? No worries. Most hubs have showers, sometimes they’re even free. A hot wash at the halfway point is a life-affirming luxury at relatively little cost. Research your airport shower options before departing, and if time allows, head straight there. The kind that charge will have all you need in their shower rooms; the free ones won’t. For the latter, be prepared with a small towel, soap and a waterproof bag to hold it all.

Slather after lather

After your lovely shower, moisturise your visage at duty free. All those samples of expensive unctions are at your disposal.

Lounge around

Consider paying for airside lounge access or an hourly-rate hotel during long transits – sometimes it’s a case of the comfort far outweighing the cost. Operators include Plaza Premium and Marhaba. There are several lounge-finder sites online. See plazapremiumlounge.com and marhabaservices.com

Dine a la carte

On night flights of less than eight hours, dine in the terminal and forgo the in-flight meal, so after the seat belt goes off, you can swaddle yourself (deploying that shawl, eye mask and ear plugs) and go to sleep as soon as you can. After all, the ultimate luxury is being relaxed and arriving as refreshed as possible.

CRUISES

Sale away

If you’ve never been on a cruise and you’re desirous of those little extras that make you feel special, then consider one. Cruises come with fun add-ons, and sales can offer great luxury inclusions. Oceania Cruises was offering upgrades and freebies such as champagne, shore excursions and speciality dining with its already hugely inclusive product. Its annual winter sale is on until August 26, with prices up to 40 per cent off. See oceaniacruises.com

TOURS

Choose wisely

Tours can come with great hotels that would be completely out of your price range if you were booking everything independently. Tauck, for instance, includes in some itineraries multiple nights in glamorous hotels that are over $1000 a night at certain times of the year, such as the Four Seasons in Prague. It’s a premium brand but when you do the travel maths, it works out sweetly. tauck.com.au

FURTHER AFIELD

Hot desk

If there is a concierge or even just a friendly front desk at your lodgings, ask them for their tips for the best-value neighbourhood restaurants and the places the locals like to hang out. You may find yourself in a gem of a joint away from the madding crowd, a luxury in itself.

The light fantastic

A travel book light with a red lamp (no blue or green wavelengths) can turn your garishly lit budget room into a cosy den at bedtime. The one I have is rechargeable and cordless, stands on a table, clips to a book, and can be carried to middle-of-the-night loo runs, too.

Dress to impress

If you look a bit smart – your clothes are clean, you’re bathed, your hair is brushed, and you’ve got a good attitude, better things happen. The days of charming an upgrade out of an airline check-in officer are gone, but a little bit of personal presentation really does go a long way. Of course, if getting around in an Oodie is your signature style, you do you. Just don’t expect the service industries to love it as much as you do.