3 Min Read
For many Americans, the holidays are about connection, not just celebration. But this year, those gatherings come at a cost. According to new data from The Harris Poll for NerdWallet, nearly half of U.S. adults (45%) plan to spend on flights or hotels during the holiday season, averaging $2,586 per traveler. That adds up to roughly $311 billion in total travel spending.
Even with higher costs, most travelers are determined to make their trips happen, and they are finding creative ways to save along the way.
Debt Still Lingers from Last Year
Many travelers are starting the season with leftover expenses from last year. Nearly one in three (31%) who used a credit card for 2024 holiday travel still have not paid it off, and 17% say they have lingering debt from multiple holiday seasons.
For some, the desire to travel outweighs financial caution. More than one-third (37%) of 2025 holiday travelers say that traveling over the holidays is more important to them than exchanging gifts. But as travel expert Sally French from NerdWallet explains, “The best vacation is one you can actually afford, and the best memories don’t require maxing out your credit cards.”
Travelers Are Adapting to Save
This year’s travelers are far from passive in the face of rising costs. Ninety-one percent say they are taking steps to save on their trips. Strategies include flying on non-peak days (30%), staying with loved ones instead of booking hotels (26%), and using loyalty rewards to offset costs (25%). Technology is also playing a growing role in financial planning. Nearly three in ten (29%) travelers plan to use AI tools to help plan or budget their trips, and 16% will use deal-finding apps such as Google Flights or Mindtrip. These habits show how travelers are blending digital convenience with financial discipline.
Meaning Over Material
Even in a high-cost environment, Americans are prioritizing shared experiences. The data underscores that connection still trumps consumption, even as inflation and tariffs affect spending power. As French adds, “The holidays are about spending time with people you care about, not how much you spend getting there.”
For many households, that perspective may be the key to keeping both travel traditions and financial well-being intact.
About the research
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from September 2–4, 2025, among 2,083 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, including 892 who plan to spend on flights or hotels for holiday travel. The sample data is accurate to within ±2.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Read the full 2025 NerdWallet Holiday Spending Report here.
