Amex report on why people traveling today

• 84% of respondents plan to spend more or the same amount of money on travel in 2024 compared to last year
• 89% of respondents are planning on using ‘travel hacks’ such as traveling during off-peak times or using credit card points to save money on travel in 2024
• 77% of respondents care more about the right travel experience than about the cost of the trip

For the love of the game

• 75% of respondents who plan to travel to a sporting event in 2024 will spend at least three hours getting there
• 67% of Millennial and Gen-Z respondents (compared to 58% of all respondents) are interested in traveling for sporting events in 2024
• 58% of respondents who are traveling for sports in 2024 will do so for soccer, basketball or Formula 1 racing

The driving forces include watching a favorite sports team in person (35%), witnessing a big sports or cultural event (34%), and seeing a favorite athlete (20%).

Top cities for sports travel for summer 2024: New York City, 30%; Miami, 27%; London, 26%; Las Vegas and Paris, 25%.

Bucket list trips

• 65% of respondents are more interested in taking a major trip in 2024 than in previous years
• 72% of respondents would rather save money for a major trip than spend it on going out with friends
• 58% of Millennial and Gen-Z respondents want a travel agent or trusted advisor to help them book a major trip this year (compared to 52% of all respondents)

Visiting multiple countries scored well with 63% of respondents planning to visit more than one country on a single trip in 2024 and plan to do so in Europe.

Going solo

Sometimes traveling alone is the way to go. Amex research shows the following:

• 76% of Millennials and Gen-Z (compared to 69% of all respondents) say they are planning on taking a solo trip in 2024
• 66% of respondents planning on traveling solo are planning a trip centered around self-love and treating themselves
• 60% of respondents planning on traveling solo this year intend to take two or more solo trips

Deeper inside the data, 57% of respondents agreed that they were more likely to travel solo for a quick weekend getaway than for a longer or more expensive trip.

Either way, solo travelers are becoming an important subset. The two types of destinations where they’re most likely to be found? In a new city (29%) or relaxing at a beach or island (22%).

On a whim

People are seeking flexibility in their travel plans and leaving room for spontaneity. This has increased the appeal of last-minute bookings, one-way tickets, and other choices. The data suggests:

• 78% of respondents say that spontaneous trips appeal to them
• 68% of respondents agree that they like to leave unplanned time in their trip to experience local culture/activities
• 77% of Millennials and Gen-Z have booked a last-minute trip before, compared to 65% of Gen-X and 52% of Baby Boomers

In fact, 44% of respondents said they prefer to take a spontaneous trip instead of having all the details planned.