The Travel Strategy That Can Actually Save You Hundreds on Big-ticket Purchases

"The Oklahoma City-based marketing executive, who loves browsing Dior, Gucci, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton boutiques, realized she could save upwards of four figures by shopping in Europe. What's more, her purchases would earn her flexible credit-card points that she could redeem for her next shopping trip. Last fall, she came home from Spain with a new Gucci Jackie bag, having saved about $600 on the purchase. "Whenever I carry it, I remember being on the streets of Madrid," Berney says."

"Deals on concerts and big-ticket sporting events continue to be motivators, but Ezon says inquiries for shopping-specific trips to European cities such as Milan, Paris, and Rome are up 44 percent at his agency, Embark Beyond. "It's a fusion of factors," Ezon notes, citing exchange rates that favor the dollar; automatic refunds on VAT, which can be as high as 20 percent; and the looming impact of tariffs, which could dramatically inflate the cost of luxury goods coming into the U.S."

Travelers are crossing borders to exploit price disparities on luxury goods and events. An Oklahoma City marketing executive saved about $600 on a Gucci Jackie bag purchased in Spain and earned credit-card points redeemable for future trips. Fans of major concerts previously traveled abroad to find lower ticket prices. Travel advisors call the practice "market hacking," defined as traveling across borders to take advantage of price disparities. Inquiries for shopping-specific trips to Milan, Paris, and Rome rose 44 percent at one agency. Favorable exchange rates, automatic VAT refunds up to about 20 percent, and potential tariffs are driving interest. Private shopping services report repeated American requests.

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