Summer vacations in the United States are becoming more expensive this year, despite drops in airfares, hotel prices, and rental car costs. The overall cost of vacationing this summer is expected to be 15% higher than before the pandemic, due to elevated prices on things like checked bags, restaurant dining, and recreational activities. Americans will find that the total bill for their vacation will be similar to last year, with costs for airline extras and entertainment making a bigger dent in their wallets. This increase in costs is due to inflation impacting Americans’ travel expenses.
One major pain point for travelers is airline baggage fees, which can add up quickly for families. Additionally, costs for vacation activities such as visiting amusement parks have risen by 3.4% since 2019. Restaurant dining is another area where prices have increased significantly, with costs up nearly 30% compared to 2019. Many travelers do not budget for dining out when planning their vacations, focusing instead on hotel and airfare costs. Airfares may also appear lower than expected, as the advertised base fare does not include additional expenses such as seat selection fees.
Despite concerns about the economy and inflation, approximately 70% of Americans are still planning to take a trip this summer. To save money while traveling, consumers can take advantage of off-peak travel times when airfares tend to be cheaper. Being flexible with destination choices can also lead to cost savings, as avoiding popular or congested areas can result in lower expenses. Travelers are advised to use their travel rewards and credit card points as they accumulate them, rather than saving them for the future when they may be worth less. By using rewards to cut travel costs, consumers can save money on their vacations.
Overall, the cost of summer travel in the United States is expected to be higher this year, despite reductions in some travel-related expenses. Rising prices for checked bags, restaurant dining, and entertainment activities are contributing to the increased overall cost of vacations. Americans are urged to be mindful of these additional costs when planning their trips and to take advantage of money-saving strategies such as traveling during off-peak times and using travel rewards and credit card points. Despite the financial impact of inflation, many Americans are still planning to travel this summer and can find ways to cut costs with careful planning and flexibility.
