Are you a luxury boomer traveler?

Lately, I’ve been reading financial and boomer blogs to see what others are writing about in the blogging world.

I ran across a blog called My Itchy Travel Feet and an article on “Best Luxury Travel Tips: How to Get the Most for Your Money.”

I left a comment that I didn’t know if telling people to no longer bother about being in a frequent flyer airline club was a good idea. I said I travel to Madrid a couple of times a year and often get a free ticket every few years.

Donna Hull send me an email in reply to my comment:

Hi Rita,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my article on luxury travel tips. I’m happy that you’ve found a way to make frequent flyer miles work for you. 

You’d be surprised at how many baby boomers can afford luxury travel. This article was written for them rather than for budget travelers.

Enjoy your trips to Madrid and thanks again for the email.

Cordially,

Donna 

Donna L. Hull, publisher 
My Itchy Travel Feet 
The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel

Hull and her husband Alan always fly business class, she reported in the article. Hull said if you aren’t in a frequent flyer club, then you’re free to select the cheapest business class flights from any airline.

That surprised me. I’ve never seen a business class ticket that was anything but really expensive. I do a lot of comparison shopping for the cheapest seats on American Airlines, and the business class seats are always at least a couple of thousand dollars more than the economy. Disclosure: I’m not a luxury traveler.

One time, I paid about $600 more for a premium economy seat because I wanted to sit closer to the front of the plane due to my respiratory disability for the long flight across the ocean to Madrid. It was nice to have more legroom, but I was able to get the seat I needed without paying more on my latest trip to Madrid because the over-the-ocean flight was operated by an American Airlines partner, Iberia.

Hull said I would be surprised at how many baby boomers can afford luxury travel. Yes, I would be.

Prior to the Great Recession, one-third of boomers were ill-prepared for retirement. After it, the number rose to 43 percent. I also read recently that older men were the ones working the most well beyond age 65.

Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are now age 54 to 72. Baby boomer retirement savings vary widely, but roughly half of all baby boomers have set aside only $100,000 or less, according to a PWC survey.

In addition, more than a third of baby boomers have saved less than $50,000 for retirement, and just 15 percent have accumulated nest eggs more than $500,000, an amount that could generate the kind of retirement income necessary to maintain a retiree's standard of living.

I could go on and on about things in Hull’s article such as the need to have a luxury cruise suite or cabin that includes a verandah, walk-in closet, and bathroom with a tub and separate shower. Hull also said mini-refrigerators should be stocked with water and your preferred beverages, including wine, beer, and alcohol, at no additional cost to you.

Another article on Hull’s website advises a woman over 50 on what to wear on a luxury cruise.

It surprised me that Hull took the time to write me an email telling me that her luxury travel tips weren’t for budget travelers. It seemed as though she was looking down on economy travelers like me.

I love traveling, as my regular readers know, from reading about my trips to Europe and Australia, as well as American adventures. Budget travelers can have a great time, and with the money saved, can have even more adventures.

Comments

[Kathy Manning]

I only fantasize about luxury travel. Actually, at this point in my life, I like most driving the USA. You can be flexible with plans and take along a gravity chair to sleep in. Hope to take another long trip soon.

[Rita]

Hi Kathy,

I'm a budget traveler, too. I'd rather pay less and go more places than be a luxury traveler. I've never any serious problems as a budget traveler.

Rita