For many of us, getting the family somewhere warm at the lowest cost possible is the goal every summer. Particularly this summer, amid a looming trade war and meltdown in global markets.
Others, however, may have some spare cash that they wish to use to make that much-needed trip go that little bit smoother.
So if that’s you, what are the options for adding a bit of luxury to your travel this spring and summer?
Lounges
If you fancy having a few drinks and a bite to eat before your flight this summer, booking into a lounge can be a way of avoiding the hoi polloi and taking some time out.
Take the lounge in Terminal 1 in Dublin Airport. If you book this ahead of time it will cost you €25 per person, or €40 if you just show up on the day. According to a spokesman from the DAA, this lounge will soon be revamped and doubled in size.
But what do you get for this?
Apart from less people perhaps, crowding the area, you can get two drinks plus snacks – hot food is offered throughout the day, consisting of one meat dish and one vegetarian dish.
Another option is the Liffey Lounge, located between terminals 1 and 2. Again, it costs €25 if you pre-book, €35 on the day, and it’s complimentary to business class ticket holders, although it has more limited hours, and closes at 7pm.
You’ll also find shower facilities here, as well as access to drinks, snacks and a cold buffet.
A more expensive option is the Martello Lounge (€39 online/€46 at reception), but it’s complimentary for Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad and Egyptair passengers.
But, you do get a wider range of food, including a hot breakfast until 2pm, as well as soup and sandwiches and other snacks and drinks.
If you’re heading to the States, the US pre-clearance lounge costs from €39, and is complimentary to business class passengers. It offers similar facilities to the other lounges.
In Shannon, you have the option of the Ború or Burren Lounges, which cost €50 and offer up to three free drinks, plus snacks and newspapers.
Cork airport has a similar offering, from €35.99 per child/€52.99 per adult, which includes a range of snacks and drinks, as well as Irish favourites – Tayto crisps and Barry’s Tea.
But do a little research before you go, and you might find out that you’re entitled to free access to one of the lounges.
The Institute of Directors for example, offers free access to the T1 and Liffey Lounge in T2 in Dublin Airport, as well as lounges in Shannon and Cork. And, if you’re a Bank of Ireland premier banking customer, with a black Visa debit card, you can access the aforementioned lounges for free, twice a year.
If you have travel insurance with VHI, and you’re flight is delayed by 60 minutes or more, you will be able to access over 1,700+ airport lounges worldwide – just make sure to register your flight before you go.
And, if you book parking at Dublin Airport, you can avail of a 20 per cent discount on lounge access.
Or you can sign up to an international offering, which gives you access to lounges around the world. Some Mastercard cards for example, give you access to LoungeKey, which gives access to more than 1,600 lounges. Similarly you could sign up for an annual pass, such as Priority Pass. For €245 a year, you’ll get 10 free lounge visits, then €30 a visit. As well as Dublin, you can choose from about 1,700 lounges globally, including the Primeclass Lounge in JFK and Plaza Premium in London Heathrow.
Another option is the Airport Club at Dublin Airport, but this is really only for those who are very frequent travellers as it’s not cheap. For €1,500 a year for example, a bronze membership will give you unlimited lounge, red car park and fast track access.
If you’re on the boat this summer, upgrading to club class on the Irish Ferries route to France will cost €130 for a family of four, and gives unlimited snacks and drinks in an airy room. If heading to Spain with Brittany Ferries, pay for a two-berth club cabin and you get access to the premium lounge.
Go VIP
If luxury is your goal this summer, how about availing of Platinum Services at Dublin Airport this summer?
It describes itself as the “ultimate airport experience”, and allows you to use your own private airport terminal.
No parking or queuing with the plebs then, as the service includes a dedicated car park and private terminal entrance, as well as a private check-in. You can also go through a dedicated security service, enjoy a suite before your flight, and – best of all perhaps – get a chauffeur driven car direct to your aircraft.
Such perks cost however; it will cost an adult €395, or €1,220 for a family of four. If you want a transfer from the airport to your desired location, this will cost €520 per adult, or €1,555 for a family of four.
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Go faster through airport
It was so popular some years ago, that “fast track” was about as fast as the regular queue; these days however, security at Dublin Airport is moving at a quicker pace which means that paying more for this service can be of benefit.
On a recent Tuesday morning (admittedly not peak travel time), security was taking a typical 12 minutes for Terminal 1 and just five minutes at Terminal 2.
Fast track is priced based on time and demand, but is typically between €7.99-€13.99 this summer. And you don’t have to decide too far in advance – if you’re running late on the day, for example, you can pre-book it on your phone up to five minutes before you use it, or just tap and go at the entrance.
A pass for a family of four, travelling at 6.30am on July 5th, will cost €51.96.
Drive and drop
How about a valet service at the airport?
You can now get a drop and go service at Dublin Airport, which allows you to park in short-term parking, leave your keys and head off on your holiday. Your car will then be moved out of the short-term car park, but when you return, it will be back where you left it. So, there’s no trekking on the bus out to the longer term car parks.
But is it worth it? Typically, it will cost somewhere between short-term parking and long-term, so if you’re willing to pay a bit more to avoid the trek to the car parks, it could be for you.
If you’re to park in the long-term car park this summer, from July 5th to 19th, you’ll pay €167 in the blue car park (15 minutes to the terminal) or €224 in the red (5 minutes to terminal – although it often takes much longer coming back, depending on number of passengers etc). Prices are as of April 2nd)
Short-term isn’t that much more expensive than the red, at €299. There are also options off-site.
The Clayton Hotel at Dublin Airport for example, offers a shuttle to the airport, which takes about 10 minutes, every 25-30 minutes, and has a discounted price of €126.65 for the two weeks mentioned.
So how does the drop and go service compare?
Expresspark is a private operator offering a similar service from the departures area. For the period mentioned, it will cost you €247.50 (parking is €12.50 a day + €60 for the meet and greet service).
You can also opt to get your car valeted while you’re away (from €65).
Similarly, Exemplar offers a similar service, for €300 for the aforementioned dates. And if you’ve an electric car, they can charge it, while it also offers a valet service (from €35).
You can also check out Dublin Airport’s own service, which has recently expanded to Terminal 1,
Flights
If a lounge isn’t what you’re really after, how about a bit more leg space – and maybe a free drink or two – on your journey?
Upgrading your flight to business or first class does cost, but many airlines now allow you to bid before your flight, so it can be worth a gamble if you want the luxury without the cost.
If you’re travelling with Aer Lingus, such an option is only available on flights to and from North America. You can make the airline an offer, by bidding how much you’re willing to pay in addition to your original ticket cost. Booking ahead will cost you upwards of €950 per flight – but with minimum bids starting at about €350, you could be lucky.
If you’re a frequent traveller with Aer Lingus, and are hoping to use your Avios points to upgrade, bear in mind that you’ll need at least 37,000 to go business one way to the US; and on a typical €150 flight to Europe, you’ll earn just 450 points.
Flash car
When you land at your chosen destination, a boring mid-size family car may not be for you. So how about a little pizazz as you whizz around the French Riviera this summer?
With Sixt, you can rent a BMW M850 convertible from €693 a day in Nice, or a Range Rover from €731 a day.
In Lisbon, you can rent a Porsche Boxster from €645 a day in July, again with Sixt – or if that’s a bit out of reach how about a VW T-Roc Cabrio convertible? You’ll still feel the wind in your hair but for a more reasonable €161 a day.
PANEL: Upgrade this summer
Fast Track at Dublin Airport: €51.96 (based on a family of four)
Fancy car on arrival: Porsche Boxster from €645 a day in July from Lisbon Airport with Sixt
Drop and go: €247.50 for two weeks parking and car collection at airport with Expresspark
Lounge before you depart: €177.96 at Cork Airport/€100 at Liffey Lounge, Dublin Airport/£90 at Causeway Lounge, Belfast Airport (based on a family of four)
