Travel Is Getting More Expensive. Americans Are Hitting the Breaking Point.

Is it too expensive to travel?

For people like Tim Plyant, the answer is yes. This summer, he plans to avoid traveling altogether – it’s too expensive.

“I can’t believe what they’re charging,” said Plyant, an architect from Austin, Texas.

Very upset with the increase in the price of food at the airport. “I’m in the expense account, I still have a problem buying food at these prices,” he said.

Check out Elliott Confidential, the newspaper the travel industry doesn’t want you to read. Each issue is packed with breaking news, in-depth information, and exclusive strategies to become a better traveler. But don’t tell anyone!

The cost of travel has increased by 23% since 2019, according to the US Travel Association’s Travel Price Index. Affordability affects everyone, but it is a particular problem for young people. A survey by EF Go Ahead Tours found that 72% of Gen Z and Millennials agree that the cost of travel is too high. Potential criminals? Inflation and other non-travel costs have made it even more difficult to afford a vacation.

“Almost every part of travel, from flights and hotels to daily extras, comes with surprise fees and variable prices,” said Melissa DaSilva, Trafalgar’s deputy CEO. “Many travelers are waiting too long to book, hunting for the lowest price, and looking for confirmation of additional rates in advance.”

How much does the trip cost?

I can show you a series of graphs with airfares, hotel prices and gas prices to show the rising cost of travel. One of the biggest surprises would be the increase in average US hotel rates, from $103 per night in 2020 to $162 per night in 2025, an increase of nearly 58%.

But there is a bigger picture. Not just basic fares and gas prices, but a combination of location, your travel preferences, and the extras the travel industry throws at you when you arrive.

And recently, there has been more.

Dave Dzurick, the manager of the program in Tucson, Arizona, said he wouldn’t go at all if his children didn’t live on the other side of the country.

“The airlines have taken away every vestige of luxury,” he complained. “A checked bag and a seat used to be part of the ticket – now you have to pay extra for it. At least they don’t charge to use the toilets … yet.”

In other words, basic values ​​only tell part of the story. And it’s the surcharges that few people talk about that add up to make travel more affordable.

So what is the answer to the question: How expensive is travel? For many Americans, it’s too expensive.

Perhaps the travel industry has lost touch with its customers

I am always on the road, and I have the opportunity to see this with another eye. Of course, I get to pay some of the crazy prices that everyone else does. Like Plyant, I’m annoyed by the cost of airport food, not just in the States. I spent over $30 on two sandwiches in Bangkok recently. Come on!

But I also talk to airline operators, hoteliers and vacation rental managers to get their opinions. And they are baffled when people don’t pay hundreds of dollars a night for their products. They seem to have forgotten that inflation has eaten up a large portion of their customers’ income.

These industry leaders have cut their products the way they were. Airline tickets, which once included a carry-on bag, checked bag, seat assignment and meal, are now pre-issued versions. The seats are smaller, and you pay more for everything, even the ride. Some hotels I’ve visited recently don’t change towels or sheets, don’t clean your room every day, and remove amenities like soap and lotion. And they charge more than they used to (see chart).

I think large parts of the travel industry have lost touch with their customers. They charge more for less, and they don’t understand the economic realities their customers face.

Can you travel affordably?

Fortunately, there are still ways to travel without breaking the bank.

• Buy in bulk. That’s the view of companies like EF Go Ahead Tours, which caters to a younger crowd, and Trafalgar, a tour operator with a mature customer base. Buy your flights, hotel rooms and meals as part of a package, and you can save money.
• Select the receiving company. For example, airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates often include a checked bag with economy class fares. I also enjoyed brands like Holiday Inn and Hilton Garden Inn for providing quality products at reasonable prices.
• Zig when everyone is moving. If you’re thinking about traveling during the upcoming spring break and summer travel season, here’s my advice: Don’t do it. It’s open season on travelers’ wallets. The industry knows they have you over the barrel, and they will try to charge higher prices and give you lower levels of service. Instead, go during the shoulder season and choose your destination carefully.

It is a shame that this is happening. Travel has always been a reward – an opportunity to relax, reconnect, and explore. But for some Americans, it has become an unaffordable luxury. The only question is when will we reach a time when people don’t want to go anywhere?

I suspect we are much closer to it than anyone realizes.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a non-profit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a buyer’s problem, you can find him here or email him at [email protected].

This article first appeared in USA TODAY: Travel is expensive. The Americans hit the mark.

Reporting by Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY Special / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect