Half of Americans plan to spend more on summer travel despite higher costs

By AI, Created 11:01 PM UTC, June 02, 2026, /AGP/ – BestMoney’s survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 50% expect to raise summer travel spending even as 81% say vacations are more expensive and 53% find trip planning financially stressful. The study shows Americans are still prioritizing travel, but many are shortening trips, leaning on savings or credit cards, and making budget trade-offs to afford them.

Why it matters: - Summer travel is still a priority for many Americans, but higher prices are forcing households to make trade-offs. - The survey suggests vacations are competing with everyday financial pressure, not replacing it. - The findings point to broader consumer strain as families use savings, overtime, and credit to keep travel plans alive.

What happened: - BestMoney surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults about summer travel plans, budgets, and payment habits. - 50% said their summer travel budget will be higher this year than last year. - 81% said travel feels more expensive than it did a few years ago. - 53% said planning a summer trip feels financially stressful. - 57% said they are entering the summer travel season without a firm budget ceiling. - 22% said they do not expect to travel this summer.

The details: - 76% said vacations are important for mental health. - 76% said travel helps them feel balanced or recharged. - 67% said they prioritize vacations and experiences over material purchases. - 63% said vacations are worth making financial sacrifices for. - 35% said they are booking cheaper accommodations. - 32% said they are taking shorter trips. - 30% said they are choosing destinations within driving distance. - 29% said they are selecting less expensive destinations. - 24% said they are staying with friends or family. - 20% said they are traveling during the off-season. - Only 12% said rising costs have not affected their travel plans at all. - 55% plan to use personal savings to pay for travel. - 37% plan to use credit cards. - 30% expect to rely on current paychecks or income. - 18% plan to use side hustle income. - 16% plan to use travel rewards or points. - 9% expect to use buy now, pay later services. - 32% said they expect to stay within budget. - 32% said they will likely exceed their budget. - 25% said they have only a loose spending limit. - 12% said they have no budget at all. - 38% reduced everyday spending to afford travel. - 25% worked extra hours or overtime. - 17% reduced contributions to savings. - 17% took on additional work or side jobs. - 17% postponed major purchases or home upgrades. - 9% used emergency funds to cover travel expenses.

Between the lines: - The data shows a gap between how much Americans value vacations and how much financial room they have to pay for them. - Travel is increasingly being funded with short-term fixes, which can make a summer trip feel affordable now but more expensive later. - The pressure to keep working during vacation also suggests that time off is becoming less disconnected from work and money stress. - Age differences are sharp, with younger travelers adapting more aggressively and older Americans more likely to skip trips altogether. - 35% of baby boomers said they are not planning to travel this summer, compared with 13% of Gen Z. - 44% of Gen Z said they plan to book cheaper accommodations. - 32% of Gen Z said they selected more affordable destinations. - 36% of Gen Z said they worked extra hours or overtime to afford travel. - 23% of Gen Z said they took on additional work or side jobs. - 39% said it is harder to fully unplug while traveling. - 9% said they expect to work frequently during vacation. - 13% of millennials said they expect to work regularly while traveling.

What’s next: - Americans are likely to keep adjusting travel plans as prices remain high and budgets stay tight. - More travelers may continue to choose shorter, cheaper, and more local trips instead of canceling vacations outright. - Use of credit cards, overtime pay, and side income is likely to remain part of the summer travel mix. - The full study is available here.

The bottom line: - Americans still want summer travel, but many are paying for it with tighter budgets, more work, and more debt risk.