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You don’t need a black Amex or a five-star hotel to give your travels a first-class feel. With a few smart upgrades, even a basic trip can feel a little bit luxe. We're talking better seats, shorter lines, and a sprinkle of indulgence that doesn’t require a huge spend. Whether you're flying across the ocean or road-tripping a few hours away, these tips can help you travel smarter, smoother, and a little more lavishly—no private jet required.
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Larger or upgraded seats
A small upgrade can go a long way toward making your ride feel more luxurious—and it doesn’t have to break the bank either. There are a few ways to go about this. You could start small by purchasing a larger seat in economy, often a main cabin plus option over basic or standard economy.
You could also opt for an upgrade to premium economy if you’re looking for extra leg room in addition to other perks, like higher quality food, beverage, pillows, and blankets. This mid-tier class offers a sweet spot for travelers wanting more space and amenities without business class prices.
Or, of course, you could ball all the way out by upgrading to business or first class. For the average traveler, this can be a treat if you’re celebrating something special, like a milestone birthday, honeymoon, or big promotion.
(Psst! This week only you can get 40% off a Going Premium or Elite membership. With an Elite membership, you’ll receive first class, business, and premium economy deals, so you can travel in style and comfort! Use code ######### to upgrade.)
“Delta is a standout carrier here, as they have many seat options in economy before you’d even need to consider a higher priced premium economy upgrade. Low-cost carriers, such as Breeze, offer similar options, which are great if you don’t want to bundle with other perks, like a checked bag. Having those extra inches of seat depth, pitch, and openness means I can breathe easy on the plane.” – Ren Newman, Travel Operations and Insights Specialist
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40% off for the holidays
Planning 2025 holiday travel? Now’s the perfect time to book! For a limited time, get Premium for just $29 or go Elite for only $119.
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A CLEAR+® membership
Don’t let airport security be the worst part of your trip. CLEAR+ helps you skip the lines by verifying your identity with biometrics, allowing you to move through security faster. Less time in line means more time relaxing—or making that tight connection.
CLEAR+ is currently available at 55+ US airports. You can enroll in your annual membership online and finish up the process by adding your passport in the CLEAR App. Once you do that, you'll head straight to the CLEAR Lane next time you fly, snap a photo, and be on your way. (You can also enroll at a CLEAR+ airport and start using your membership right away.)
Enroll here in your annual CLEAR+ membership and get 2 months free.
“I hate waiting in lines, especially when traveling. That's why I love my CLEAR+ membership. It offers a speedy ID verification process, which helps me breeze through airport security—and just as importantly, gets me on vacation time—so much faster.” – Kurt Adams, Senior Content Marketing Manager, Points & Miles
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Earn 120,000 bonus points
Dive into rewards with the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase. Earn 120,000 bonus points with this limited-time offer — our highest points offer of 2025 — all with no annual fee.
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Lounge access
Airport lounges are one of the easiest ways to upgrade your travel day. At a minimum, they typically come with comfy seating, complimentary drinks and snacks, Wifi, and sometimes even showers. The top-tier lounges really help you recharge, though, with private sleeping suites, full-service spas, and chauffeur service to your plane, to name a few perks.
You can get lounge access with certain credit cards or memberships, such as Priority Pass. But even paying for a day pass can be worth it if you have a long layover or delay.
“When I’m booking flights, I always cross-check my route with lounge access. I have the Amex Platinum, so if a layover includes a Centurion Lounge or Priority Pass spot, that’s a win. A longer connection with a drink, Wifi, and maybe even a shower always beats a rushed layover with nowhere to sit.” – Rob Medina, Director, Member Success
For other ways to get airport lounge access, read our guide.
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Luggage storage
Nothing ruins a day of exploring like dragging a heavy suitcase around. You have a couple options here: check your bags at the airport, use your hotel’s concierge, or book a third-party luggage storage service. No matter how you go about it, offloading your gear can make your arrival or departure day feel like a bonus vacation day. It’s a small detail that brings big relief, especially in walkable cities.
With a Going Premium or Elite membership, you get access to perks like 10% off luggage storage with Radical Storage (8,000+ locations worldwide) and 50% off your first bag stored with Bounce (20,000+ locations worldwide).
"It might seem simple, but not schlepping luggage around is an instant way to take your trip up a notch, whether you check your bag for a flight or use a baggage check company to offload your suitcases. You can save on checked bags by purchasing them when you check in for your flight 24 hours before departure—often it’s $5 cheaper than doing it when you arrive at the airport." – Eliza Buckman, VP of Product
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An experience to look forward to
Planning one standout experience during your trip—like a special meal, a local class, or a live show—can make a standard vacation feel unforgettable. You could go the DIY route and keep it inexpensive, like a $10 rooftop concert or a charcuterie picnic on the beach at sunset.
Or you could outsource it for added extravagance. Airbnb’s new Services offering, as well as its overhauled Experiences section, is another way to go about it. On your next trip, you could splurge on a personal training session with a celebrity trainer, take a cooking class with a chef from a Michelin-starred restaurant, or schedule an in-home spa day with vetted professionals.
Whichever way you choose, booking something in advance gives you an anchor to build anticipation around.
“I opt for cooking classes and particularly love finding them in places less known for their food scene, like Moab, Indianapolis, and Germany. Sometimes they can be a splurge, but the alternative is spending money on drinks at a wine bar or touring a fairly expensive museum. Girl math? Maybe. But I’ve never once regretted the experience.” – Megan Bianco, VP of Operations
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Early check-in or late check-out
Nothing sets the tone like being able to settle in on your own schedule. Whether you’re arriving early after a red-eye or trying to squeeze in a final shower before your flight, early check-in or late check-out adds comfort and flexibility. It’s often available for a small fee—or free if you ask nicely or have hotel status. Either way, it’s a simple luxury that makes travel feel smoother.
"Even if I have to pay for it, checking in early to take a shower as soon as I get there—instead of waiting in the lobby for hours—is crucial." – Allie McCaw-Niederer, Senior Knowledge Management Specialist
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Bonus: Shoot your shot for upgrades
One of the best-kept secrets in travel? Just ask. Guest services sometimes have unclaimed perks, and they often reward kind, confident travelers who inquire, resulting in the ultimate free upgrade. At worst, you’re right where you started. At best, you’re sipping champagne in Row A.
“Buy the ‘cheap’ seats for whatever show or concert you’re going to. Then ask guest services if they have extra seats left over that you can fill. It won’t always work, but when it does, that’s how you get VIP, front-and-center seats to Silk Sonic in Vegas.” – Megan Bianco, VP of Operations
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