Travelers Are Stress-Planning Vacations Like Never Before

The weather in certain parts of the country may not exactly be balmy yet, but it’s never too early to make summer vacation plans.

To coincide with the attention many are giving to travel and tourism this time of year, Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank has released a new report covering trends in travel rewards and loyalty.

Heading to a remote destination you’ve never visited before can be an exciting opportunity. But with travel disruptions and shifting news cycles, Americans are exercising more caution about their trips than they used to, according to Barclays.

Planning ahead is one way to ensure you’re ready to face the twists and turns that traveling can present. The Barclays report indicates that 55% of people who took part in its national survey say they overplan in an effort to skip surprises.

We caught up with Doug Villone, Head of U.S. Cards and Partnerships at Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank, to learn more about this and other travel insights the company unearthed while compiling its report this year.

The majority of survey respondents said they worry about personal safety while on vacation.

Villone told us that travel feels more stressful for many consumers this year because people have more variables to navigate at each stage of their journeys.

“They are not just choosing where to go; they are thinking about safety, cost, delays, and how to avoid disruptions before the trip even begins,” Villone said. “What we see in the data is that travel planning has become a way to create more control.”

Careful planning can also help travelers have more peace of mind when it comes to security.

Nearly two-thirds of those who took part in the survey from Barclays say they have concerns about personal safety at their destination, and 61% worry about keeping their belongings secure.

One way people can make travel planning easier is to lean on artificial intelligence. Barclays says AI can serve as a digital travel assistant to help travelers optimize their airfare and lodging options and provide insights about their destinations.

Barclays reports that 46% of those who responded to its travel survey say they’re comfortable using AI to locate deals on travel expenses.

Credit card rewards can also help people save money on travel costs, and 64% of survey respondents say they use their loyalty points or rewards for that purpose.

“Americans are becoming much more intentional about value,” Villone told us. “This is not just about finding the cheapest option; it is about making the travel budget work harder without compromising the experience.”

Consumers Using Points or Rewards to Save on Travel

Share of Survey Respondents

64%

Using Points or Rewards on Travel

Higher travel-related costs, including gasoline, could influence where some consumers choose to vacation in 2026, or whether they elect to travel at all. Both Mastercard and Visa pointed to a downturn in travel spending as a factor that has negatively impacted their businesses this year, according to a recent Payments Dive report.

In addition, some people who have accumulated a substantial amount of card rewards with the goal of using them to offset travel expenses may not be following that plan as much as they initially thought they would.

The Barclays survey found that — among those who want to alter their habits around redeeming points — 72% say they’d like to prioritize applying rewards to travel costs. About 59% currently use them for everyday expenses or statement credits, the bank reported.

“What this really shows is the tension consumers are managing between everyday financial realities and travel aspirations,” Villone told us. “Many cardmembers still want to use rewards to enhance travel, but in the current environment they are often making the practical choice first.”

Travel can be significantly easier, not to mention cheaper, when you only have to pay for and plan activities for yourself. Nevertheless, the Barclays report reveals that families are traveling more often these days. And that’s particularly true for families with young children.

Forty-three percent of respondents who were parents with children under 5 said they flew at some point in the three months prior to when they took the survey. Only 16% of respondents who don’t have children did the same.

But just because parents are choosing to travel more than those without children doesn’t necessarily mean they’re enjoying their vacations more. Almost 70% of parents with younger children who responded to the survey report being anxious while on vacation, compared to just 44% of people who aren’t parents.

The survey shows that some people are more likely to opt for upgrades while traveling if they can use rewards instead of cash to pay for them.

Credit card perks that help families relax while on the go, such as access to airport lounges, may be in high demand this summer. People also may opt for more upgrades while traveling this year to enhance the comfort of their journeys.

“I do think we are seeing the rise of a travel upgrade economy, but it is being shaped by value as much as aspiration,” Villone said. “Our research found that 76% would be more likely to choose upgrades if they could use points or miles instead of cash.”

But brands may not fully grasp what consumers value most in this economic environment, according to Villone.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that today’s traveler is simply looking for more luxury or more spontaneity,” Villone told us. “The modern traveler still wants a great experience, but increasingly they want that experience to feel manageable and worth the investment.”