PJ

Most of the posts I've read stress "cheap" this, "1/2 price" that. Do fodorites ever go to a city planning to spend some money? Do all of you stand on line for $25 back row balcony seats instead of saving before the trip & getting a decent seat to a show? Are you all looking for the cheapest or free attractions? I am not rich and I do not squander money, however, when I travel I like to do it right. I would never travel for hours just to get somewhere and have to squint to see a performance or risk not getting tickets at all. I would pay for a cab and arrive at my destination relaxed before trying to coordinate shuttles and buses. I'd eat some meals cheap, and go for broke on one or two gourmet restaurants. I mean, this is a vacation, right? Do you splurge or spoil yourselves at all, or is the goal just to try & visit as many places as possible, even if you have to do it like a college student? Am I alone here? Not trying to insult, just curious.

x

PJ - you sound like an idiot. Get lost.

Caitlin

FYI, most of the tickets selling at the half-price booths here in NYC are not for "$25 back row balcony seats," but rather for orchestra seats. This means you pay $40-50 for what is an $80 seat with a good view. So those people are often paying what they would for alright seats and getting better ones.

Did it not occur to you that many travelers have already saved up a lot just to get there and pay for accommodations? Doing things on a budget, especially for families, may mean they can take that big vacation vs. going camping near to home or driving to stay with relatives. And two of the most popular tourist destinations in the US--excepting Orlando--New York and San Francisco, are the most expensive cities in the country.

Cindy

I suppose that people who have money to burn have less incentive to visit a site like this. If you book the Ritz, and have them recommend the best restaurant in town, you're unlikely to have a problem and you don't need help from people on this board. Some of us must try to stretch a dollar a little, so we do some research to keep costs down, splurging only on what matters most to us. When I travel these days, I have to buy five of everything, so a few good tips from Fodorites can add up to a lot of savings or a greatly enhanced experience for me. You should feel blessed not to have to worry about such things.

tb

Get a clue pj, I agree with the previous reply- you are an idiot.

PJ

Caitlin, thank you for your reply. I do understand that most folks have to save for the travel/accomodations. I am trying to determine how much the participants on this board really do travel. Are they saving for one big trip a year, or are they spending as little as possible in order to take 6 trips per year?

Buyer

Well as a multi-billionaire with cash falling out of my pockets... I think it's just DIVINE to spent as much money as I possibly can when I travel... I wouldn't dream of spending the night in a hotel that cost under $3,000 per night... people might think I am ***shutter... low class or something... heaven forbid!
Rather I think people who can't afford my... oh so much more superior way of travel should bloody well stay put! And not clutter up my attractions with their.. gasp "middle class" bodies.
Please everyone... unless you own at least 15 cars a private jet and 12 luxury homes. Please don't get in the way of us, the REAL people.

Owen O'Neill

PJ - if your intent is actually what you indicate in your reply to Caitlin, then I suggest that a new post would be in order. Your original post can easily be interpreted as offensive to many of us. I'm sure that the frequency of travel and the funds available vary widely among people who frequent this forum, as do the motivations that people have for seeking bargains. You'll get much more int he way of constructive replies if you pose a question that has a kinder, gentler approach.

t

Look folks, JP is obviously either a dope or a troll. His observations and enquiries are idiotic ... one big trip or six small trips? Somone calls him an idiot ... does he get angry or upset ... of course not, he just bores im with another stupidity. Why don't we ask PJ a few questions in return, like, what do you watch on TV when you're not on the Fodors' site? Something interesting and intelligent in the style of his questions.

PJ

Owen, you are right. Re-reading the caption I see how the intent could be misleading. And I would like to stress to the fodorites who are just jumping up and down ready to fire off sarcastic remarks: I do NOT have a ton of money. I do save for my vacations. But I would rather have one vacation every year or two & be a bit spoiled, then take 10 vacations and have to watch every cent I spend when I am away. I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same way, or if you all just tried to travel as much and as cheaply as possible. Families with kids-total exception to the rule.

JP

Have to ask: what's it to you?

What possible difference can it make to you whether I save up, go on the cheap, splurge, gamble on last-minute tix, or whatever?

(Sounds to me like one of those moments when someone wants a reason to feel superior to other mere mortals because they don't do things "right.")

Owen O'Neill

To answer the now revised question - I travel when my schedule permits - usually one significant trip per year and one or two weekend trips. It's only been ot he past few years that I've had the financial wherewithal to splurge on certain things when traveling but I still seek best values whenever possible. Like you, PJ, I tend to eat modest meals on a trip and save the $ for one or two splurge meals in higher end restaurants. I also choose my accomodations based on whether I'll really be spending time in the room or not. The seemingly endless questions in this forum about lowest prices and bargains are understandable. Despite economists claims to the contrary, most of have less real income for the same gross pay as we did a few years back and resort area prices rise higher than elsewhere as tourism remains strong. I think the open discussion is good, as bargains aren't always really a bargain. Here in NYC, one often needs only go a block or two out of a particular area to get a meal of equal quality for far less money. Those whoo don't live or work in the city may not know this without inquiring. I for one prefer to travel more frequently and economize wherever possible -- my satsifaction is in the journey itself and in the exposure to new places and new things (people, food, culture etc.)

scigirl

Well, I always thought that people asked about bargins because this is harder information to get. For instance, if you want to go out for a fancy dinner it is pretty easy to find information about the best restaurants in a city. On the other hand, if you want to find a few places to grab lunch, you might need to get first hand information from a site like this. Most people, regardless of income, have some sort of budget in mind when they travel and pay at least some attention to how much things cost.

Jeanette

Once in a blue moon I'll really splurge on something like a very good seat at a show I especially want to see, but why do you think that more expensive is absolutely better, PJ? It's an assumption that does not run true in many travel experiences. Because my family is grown and because I have more paid time off now, I would much rather take 4 nice vacations a year than 1 or 2 very costly ones. Ironically also, the more I can afford it, the wiser I have become (with more and more travel experiences) with the travel dollar I do have. Do you feel that squandoring your travel dollar makes you feel "less cheap" or more pampered or something?
Not me, I know I'm not "cheap"- and some of my best vacations have not been the more expensive ones.

Lori

What I can't stand is being on an airplane and wondering if the person sitting next to me paid less money than me for his or her ticket. Or thinking maybe I could have paid $50 less per night for my hotel room. If I can save money on the basics then I will be coming to a city with money in my pockets to spend.

herself

Scigirl is on the money.
PJ, have you ever paid top dollar and received garbage? I have. There are hundreds of restaurants in any city. There are a handful that have fabulous food for $$. And a huge number that have lousy food for $$$$.
With research, I can stay within my budget and still get the good seats at plays and eat and sleep in good places. Best of all, I can keep traveling.

PJ

So, let me get this straight. If I don't shop for the ultimate bargain on every aspect of my trip, that would be squandering? If I like to be pampered a bit on my VACATION from work, kids, etc., that would be foolish? And yes, pampering costs money most of the time. Granted, some $$$$ restaurants can be disappointing, but with a lot of research on Fodors board, etc. etc. more often than not I pick the right ones. If you will re-read my post you will see that I do not eat expensively at every meal. In fact, I usually pick a hotel with breakfast included & then skip lunch. I would rather use that money to insure that I get a ticket, in advance, to the show I want to see, on the night I want to see it, 3rd row center orchestra. Everyone travels differently. I was merely interested in how other travelers place their priorities on vacation spending money, & how it affects their travel. Thought it would be interesting to see where folks cut back and why. It appears a lot of posters are fixated on how to do every little thing as cheaply as possible, 'take shuttle A, it costs $1 less than shuttle B. You may have to walk 15 blocks, but hey, you saved a buck'. Also, since I rely a lot on this board, I would like to know a bit more about who is giving the advice. If that offends the posters, well, sorry about that. At least I am not telling you how to fly or not fly with your kids and pets.

AgreeWithPJ

PJ, I understood and agree what you sought in your first post and also agree your last.
It never occurred to me that you were even inadvertently criticizing others and certainly not insulting them.
The responses to your first post were, I'm afraid, insulting to you and that's too bad. Oh well, let it roll off your shoulders.

getalife

Owen O'Neill you are such a pompous, self-serving ass. Get over yourself and get a life.

Want the Truth?

OK, everyone. PJ is right, everyone else is wrong. Anyone who does not allocate their resources things PJ's way is cheap, beer-swilling, pork rind munching trailer trash.

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