If you want to travel the world on the cheap you can join the Peace Corps, get a job on a cruise liner, teach English as a second language, be a nanny, work as a flight attendant, or couchsurf. There is nothing wrong with any of these options. I’ve simply found another way.

I used to travel out-of-state once or twice a year to visit family or friends. And then, I discovered hotel mystery shopping. For ten years, I only took hotel assignments within driving distance of my house. Don’t get me wrong – that was a fun, easy way to get out-of-town for a few days. But, completing hotel jobs outside of my geographical area has been life-changing. If you want to fast-track your way to hotel mystery shopping, check out the #1 mystery shopping course HERE!

In 2015, I took my first out-of-state hotel assignment. And. It. Was. Magical. I went to a remote resort in the mountains of Utah. And I relaxed, and it snowed, and I learned how to downhill ski, and experienced my first hot stone massage. And I got paid. GOT. PAID! I wrote a detailed report about my experiences at the resort. In exchange, all expenses related to the assignment were reimbursed – this included tips, parking, room, food, skiing, and the massage. The trip didn’t cost me a thing. I came home with more money and more experiences than I left with. And, just like that, I was bitten by the travel *for free* bug.

Since that wonderful weekend in 2015, I have traveled to New Orleans, Chicago, Houston, Tucson, Louisiana, Mississippi, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Jordan, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Dubai, Jakarta, Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Morocco* and multiple times to San Francisco, Miami, New York City, and Hawaii.

*Morocco wasn’t free but it was cheap! While on above-mentioned assignment in Utah, I was bumped from my Delta flight (a flight that I didn’t pay for) in exchange for an $800 travel voucher. The voucher covered all but $50 of my flight to Morocco. #blessed See more HERE.

Hotel mystery shopping jobs are available all over the world.

From remote islands in the Indian Ocean to posh hotels on South Beach, there are assignments around the globe. Some jobs involve staying for two nights and some for only one night. I like to string together two or three assignments so I am at my destination longer. I did this in London so that I visited for an entire week. Every two nights I had to check-out and check-in to a new hotel, but in exchange for the trip, that was a very minor inconvenience.

Did I mention the hotels are nice? Really nice, four and five-star hotels. Room service, spa visits, poolside drinks; it’s all part of the job. Note: There are mystery shops available at three-star and lower brands as well. These jobs are more simple and a good place to start as an evaluator.

Prague, Czech Republic

Many hotel assignments reimburse travel expenses to get to the job.

But, when travel reimbursement is not included, I find airline mystery shopping jobs to get to my destination (I know, you think I am making this up!) I evaluate an aspect of the airline’s in-flight service in exchange for a ticket. And to top it off, assignments are available at airport restaurants. Free food. Free flight. Free lodging. Check out my video on how to use Google Flights – it’s my favorite for finding the best airfare.

Discovering a unique and inexpensive way to travel around the world has transformed my life. I don’t have to worry about saving up for a special vacation or wait months or years to go on that once-in-a-lifetime adventure. As a mystery shopper, I can plan these trips more than once a year. What a gift this has been! The world is such a diverse and beautiful place and there is so much more to explore.

Want to know more?

Sign up for the premier digital mystery shopping course or download my Hotel Mystery Shopping eBook or If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend who loves to travel, too!

Photo Credits: Jen Hayes