U.S. Summer Vacation Survey Reveals 53% Plan Trips, 65% Cite Cost Concerns

A new survey reveals that fewer than half of Americans are planning summer vacations this year, with financial strain cited as the leading reason.

According to a recent Bankrate survey, only 53% of respondents said they plan to take a summer vacation, whether it’s a domestic or international trip or a staycation near home. The breakdown shows 38% planning domestic travel and 15% opting for international destinations, with some overlap between the two groups.

Financial Burden a Major Obstacle

The main barrier to vacation plans appears to be the rising cost of travel. About 10% of respondents said they are considering a staycation due to high transportation and lodging expenses, while 24% reported they plan to skip summer vacation entirely this year.

Among those who are not traveling, 65% cited a lack of disposable income as the primary reason. Within that group, 68% pointed to the strain of covering living expenses, and 64% said travel itself was too expensive. The impact was most pronounced among millennials (ages 29–44), with 73% saying they had to forgo travel due to costs. Baby boomers (68%) and Generation X (67%) showed similar trends.

Debt-Funded Vacations on the Rise

Even among those planning vacations, 29% said they expect to take on debt to fund their trips. Of these, 23% plan to use credit cards for installment payments, 5% intend to use buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services, and some said they would borrow from family or friends.

By age group, millennials (34%) and Generation Z (31%) are more likely to take on vacation-related debt, while Generation X (29%) and baby boomers (22%) reported lower rates.

How Travelers Plan to Pay

When asked about payment methods, 56% said they would pay with cash, followed by debit cards (47%), credit cards (42%), installment plans (23%), and points or airline miles (20%).

Vacation Plans Remain Uncertain for Many

Uncertainty around summer vacation plans is also more evident this year. About 23% of respondents said they have not made or decided on any vacation plans yet, up from 18% last year.

Early Planning Can Save Money

Ted Rossman, a Bankrate analyst, noted that booking early typically results in savings. He advised travelers to consider off-peak or shoulder-season destinations, early morning or late-night flights, weekday departures, or connecting flights to cut costs.

“Planning ahead is usually the best way to save on summer trips,” Rossman said.

BY EUNYOUNG LEE [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]