US Summer Travel Trends Show Rise in Road Trips and Budget Hotel Choices

A recent American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) survey shows that 56% of Americans still plan a summer vacation despite higher travel costs, and 69% say a summer trip remains important. Travelers are cutting back on shopping, dining out and entertainment before reducing hotel spending, and are favoring regional destinations, driving instead of flying, and seeking hotels that offer free breakfast and loyalty rewards.

Industry experts note that 71% of Americans intend to drive on their next vacation, prompting a focus on road‑trip‑friendly credit cards that provide cash back on gas, hotel perks, rental‑car protection and emergency travel insurance. Cards highlighted include the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards, IHG One Rewards Premier, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Savor and Capital One Venture X, each offering specific benefits for fuel, lodging, dining and rental‑car coverage.

Together, the data suggest that while travel costs are rising, Americans are reimagining their vacations by staying closer to home, using road trips, and leveraging financial products and hotel amenities to stretch their budgets.