1 in 3 Americans Aren't Taking a Vacation This Summer

If you feel summer means it’s time to pack your bags and cash in those two tickets to paradise, you aren’t alone.

According to a new Harris Poll, 42% of Americans have already taken at least one vacation this summer. And 55% have at least one trip coming up before the end of August, whether it’s their first of the season or not.

But about 35% of respondents, or 1 in 3 Americans, are not planning to vacation at all this summer, which the survey defined as traveling at least 50 miles away from home (one way) and/or including an overnight stay.

Where Are They Going?

Turns out, more than two out of five adults (42%) are spending time off right at home with a staycation. This is especially true of people in rural or urban areas or single adults, Harris said.

Of those Americans who have taken a vacation during the warm and sunny months or plan to do so before the brisk autumn season comes, they average two vacations per summer traveler, according to the survey.

But last-minute deals, like those prompted by Brexit, inspired 4 in 10 Americans to take more vacations than initially planned. In fact, the survey found that about 21% of respondents are considering a trip to Great Britain to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate between the dollar and the British pound.

Methodology

The online survey was conducted by Harris Poll from June 28 to June 30 and polled 2,021 adults (18 and older). The responses were weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income, and to help bring the data in line with actual proportions of the population.

Funding Your Vacation

The trend shows more Americans are traveling than they have in years. The survey found that more Americans traveled for fun last summer (from May to August) than they have since 2008. That group is reportedly far more likely to travel again during the same timeframe this summer as well.

Whether you’ve opted to explore the world or your own back yard this summer, it’s a good idea to budget for your adventures. To help cut down the cost of your vacation(s), you can consider traveling on off-peak days, comparison shopping for the best rates and signing up for fare alerts that could help you spot cheaper flights. You may also want to think about using a rewards credit card to help fund your trip. (You can check out the best travel credit cards in America here.) Some travel rewards cards offer perks, like a free checked bag, that can help you save on any trip you decide to take.

It’s important to note that reward cards are best suited to people who aren’t prone to overspending and who have a habit of paying their balances off each billing cycle (otherwise, you’ll lose the rewards to interest). To see if you qualify for one of these cards, you can start by reviewing your credit. You can see two of your credit scores for free, updated each month, on Credit.com.

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