Four ways to score luxury travel for less

Here are a few approaches to consider if you want to make your next trip a little more luxurious.

Airline upgrades: Don’t book the cheapest “basic economy” tickets, which can’t be upgraded. If a flight has multiple “cabins” or classes of service — economy, premium economy, business and first — consider booking one cabin below where you want to end up. Pay the premium economy fare, for example, if you want to get to business class. It’s harder to jump two levels than one. If you have sufficient airline miles, you may be able to use them to upgrade right away — or you may need to keep checking back. Airlines often release more award seats over time if a flight isn’t selling well. If you want to book a premium cabin seat entirely with points or miles, you may need to plan well in advance. You’ll have the best chance to claim a guaranteed seat in a premium cabin if you book when the award seats first become available, often 300 to 360 days before the flight.

Check your bags for free: Many airline-branded credit cards offer free checked bags as a perk. Others offset airline fees, including checked bags. Or fly Southwest, which still offers two free checked bags.

Snag a better hotel room: Unlike airlines, hotels frequently do give out upgrades if you ask nicely. Sign up for the hotel’s loyalty program and book your room on its site, if possible. (If you do book through a third-party site, call the hotel afterward to link your frequent traveler number to your reservation.) If you have elite status with the hotel — a perk provided by many hotel-branded credit cards — an upgrade may come automatically.

Access the lounges: Although access to an airline’s lounges typically costs $295 to $550 a year for one person, you may be able to buy day passes for $19 to $59. Many travel credit cards with hefty annual fees (in the $450 to $550 range) offer lounge access as a perk. Hotel lounge access is often included with more expensive “executive level” rooms and may be available to frequent travelers with elite status, or for an additional fee. Some offer full breakfasts in the morning, heavy appetizers and desserts at night, and premium liquor. Others offer cheese and crackers and a coffee machine.