64% of Americans Leave Vacation Perks Untapped, Pass on Travel Cards

While millions prepare to book their summer vacations, few are reaching for their travel cards to do so. Loyalty programs offer a great way for consumers to save money on vacations, but a lack of understanding or fear of risk may be stopping them from taking advantage of the perks.

At CardRates.com, we wanted to test a theory: Even if people aren’t talking about it, are points quietly shaping where they travel? Are rewards nudging them to pick certain destinations, airlines, or trip styles? Given how much hype surrounds points in travel culture, we set out to see whether those perks were silently driving behavior.

Surprisingly, the answer is no.

Travel media and influencers often paint travel-based cards as the gateway to a dream vacation — a lie-flat seat, bucket-list destinations, and brag-worthy perks. But behind all that wanderlust is a quieter reality: consumer indifference. 

According to a recent CardRates.com survey, 64% of respondents revealed that they don’t own a travel rewards credit card, the foundation of most points-based travel. Despite the potential to earn hundreds in value, most are skipping rewards entirely. Some top travel cards offer sign-up bonuses worth $500–$1,200, yet many consumers never tap into them.

While points remain a staple of travel marketing, or subtle flexes shared among friends at a dinner party, most Americans plan their trips without them. As our study reveals, most Americans simply don’t factor points into their plans. 

To put this in perspective, let’s explore travel card usage. Our results show that about two-thirds of Americans don’t have a travel card. If we break it down by gender, women are far more likely not to have a travel card than men. 

Nearly seven in ten women (69%) say they don’t have one, while 57% of men say they don’t own a travel card— a 21% difference. 

Among cardholders, attitudes aren’t much different. Cardholders aren’t actively seeking to boost rewards to manage their travel expenses. About 3 in 5 respondents say they do not optimize their strategy to try to earn more points, suggesting that points aren’t top of mind when planning their trips.

“Consumers have a lot of distractions these days, and many of them are leaving money on the table without even realizing it”, said Bobbi Rebell, CFP® and Personal Finance Expert at CardRates.com. “Life is busy, and sometimes these decisions have a hard time getting to the top ‘to-do’ lists, even though many may benefit from having a travel card.”

It doesn’t take much for a vacation to turn into an expensive venture. Though points appear to be a top solution for reducing expenses, many people aren’t turning to this form of currency for travel benefits. So this makes us question whether this “points illusion” is aspirational or just good marketing.  

The season for summer travel planning is in full swing, and folks are using their go-to techniques to snag the best vacation packages for their families and friends. But where does credit rewards fall in all this preparation?

Our findings reveal that Americans aren’t depending on loyalty programs to optimize their vacation planning budget, and instead may be focusing on other tactics like price trackers and deal alerts to lean into flexible travel dates or nearby destinations.

When asked if they consider travel points in their plans, 52% of respondents say they don’t plan their getaways around rewards. Another 54% also said they have never chosen a destination based on points. If you’re not using a travel rewards card, you’re not alone, but you might be leaving money on the table. 

The right card can unlock hundreds in value through sign-up bonuses, cash back, or free perks like baggage checks and travel insurance. Learning how to choose and use a rewards card, even just one, can turn everyday spending into future savings.

Rebell adds, “We all love to get something for free. But free is only available to consumers who take the time to find out all the perks and freebies that come along with travel reward cards. The challenge is getting them to engage with the information so they can make intentional and thoughtful choices when it comes to their credit cards.”

Loyalty programs require long-term commitment and effort to build up points, and consumers may not view the potential downsides of overspending and high-interest rates as worth it in their pursuit of affordable vacation living. 

With the right card and a few smart moves, travelers could be turning everyday spending into future savings and making their next vacation a little more affordable. 

This survey was conducted online among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who are credit card holders. Respondents were selected from a third-party research panel, and the data were weighted to align with U.S. Census benchmarks.

The survey explored consumer attitudes and behaviors related to travel planning, credit card usage, and engagement with rewards programs. The overall margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

Margins of error increase for subgroups such as age, gender, or travel planning style.