Revenge trip or revenge vacation, one thing is for sure, we want our holidays back.
The last 28 months have been intense. And despite Covid restrictions, flight cancellations and increased costs, the desire to travel has not been tarnished.
And according to the latest search results, the “revenge trip” is trending again. But what exactly is it?
This is not the first time that “revenge travel” or “revenge spending” has been on the agenda.
The phrase originally referred to our desire to make up for any time or experiences we may have lost or missed due to the pandemic.
“Although ‘revenge travel’ sounds negative, the concept is very positive,” explains Rhys Jones of Head For Points, a frequent flyer website.
“The idea is that people are ‘getting revenge’ on the pandemic for derailing their holiday plans by traveling bigger and better this year.”
It’s basically the feeling that life is short and we should make the most of it after two years of lockdown and travel restrictions according to Rhys.
“People crave travel,” adds Bartosz Sawicki, market analyst at Conotoxia.
“Closed indoors, often without even the option of taking shorter trips, we are sick of feeling immobile and stuck in one place.
“That frustration is exactly what turns into a revenge journey.”
While the increased demand for vacations in 2022 may reflect the easing of global restrictions and greater flexibility in travel, this time it is clear that people want a break from everyday stress.
Whether it’s their job, the looming winter crunch, or a chance to get some last-minute sun before Christmas, people want a break.
According to a survey by American Express, 55% of respondents said they want to book a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in 2022.
However, rising inflation and the cost of living crisis are becoming a huge cause of concern and are casting doubt on the potential travel plans of many people who can no longer afford lavish trips.
“Hotels, rental cars, you name it – the cost of almost everything in travel has also gone up as almost all sectors deal with staff shortages and supply chain issues,” Rees says.
So, we spoke to some experts to find out how you can still get in on the revenge travel trend – even if you’re on a budget.
Prepare in advance
“Given the greater desire to get away even for a short trip to another city, let alone a longer trip abroad, we cannot forget the significant obstacle of raging inflation and accelerating energy costs,” says Bartosz .
“But how do we have a nice vacation when it costs more and more and we have less and less money in our pockets?
“The solution is to prepare financially for your long-awaited trip far enough in advance so that you are in control and can enjoy your vacation without overpaying.”
Planning your trip
“Travel isn’t cheap during peak season,” warns travel expert and founder of GlobalGrasshopper, Becky Moore.
“If you want to travel on a budget, then you should plan your trip in the off-season when hotels are empty and everything is discounted.”
Becky also suggests booking your tickets in advance to “take advantage of the cheapest flights and hotels.”
“If you book your trip four months before the actual date, you can save up to 40% on airfare,” she recommends.
“And look for package deals that include airfare, lodging, and sometimes even food or activities.”
Rhys suggests booking hotels with points. He explains, “Many hotels can also be cheaper to book on points, especially when the big hotel chains offer big points bonuses when you buy those points directly.
“In many cases, it’s cheaper to buy the points and redeem them instead of paying cash directly – so it’s worth signing up to the various programs offered by the big chains.”
As for spending money, Bartosz advises against exchanging currency at the airport as they will have the most expensive rates, suggesting instead an online bureau de change or a multi-currency card – such as Monzo and Starling.
Bartosz adds: “By using a multi-currency card, people can avoid currency conversion fees and gain free access to multi-currency accounts between which they can exchange currency and make payments at any time around the world.”
During your trip
If you want to travel with your friends and family members, Becky suggests renting an apartment or house to save on accommodation costs.
This type of accommodation will also likely offer self-catering facilities, so you can prepare some meals yourself rather than having to go to a cafe or restaurant for your three meals each day.
This will save you significant amounts of money and also allow you to spend a few relaxing evenings in – without having to dress up for dinner out.
Becky also explains that you can save money on your transport when you’re there by using local public transport such as buses, taxis and trains.
If you’re traveling within a city, she suggests using the city’s subway system.
Other ways to make sure you don’t overspend on your trip:
- Stick to a daily spending budget.
- Avoid buying too many souvenirs.
- Turn off data roaming (and check which charges apply to you).
- Find free activities such as sunbathing, swimming in the sea, free walking tours of the city and visiting museums.
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