summer family – A new survey of U.S. parents shows summer travel demand is holding up even as prices rise sharply. Most families are not canceling—they’re changing destinations, travel styles, and how they budget, with cost emerging as the top factor and points-and-miles play
It isn’t the sticker shock that’s stopping this summer’s family travel—it’s the need to rethink every line item.
A new survey commissioned by The Points Guy and conducted by YouGov finds that 63% of parents with kids under 18 already have a family trip planned for this summer. Just 6% say they canceled a vacation outright, while another 5% swapped destinations. When U.S. parents were asked more broadly whether they’re traveling at all, only 27% said they aren’t traveling.
The same survey paints a clear picture of how families are responding to higher costs. Nearly two-thirds of respondents rank budget among their top three destination considerations. and overall cost is one of the three biggest factors for choosing a destination for 63% of parents. That doesn’t mean families are abandoning the idea of travel—it means they’re adjusting rather than calling it off.
One-quarter of parents with summer travel plans say they are changing their destination to one that is closer or less expensive. making it the most common money-saving strategy. Nearly as many—24%—are changing how they travel. such as driving instead of flying or booking economy instead of premium cabins. Another 23% are saving on accommodations by booking fewer hotel rooms or staying with relatives.
For some, the cost cuts come through timing and on-the-ground decisions: 20% are shortening trips compared with previous years, 20% are traveling during off-peak dates, and 19% are trimming activities or excursions once they arrive.
Prices are part of why that reshuffling has to happen. In May, airfare was 27% higher than last year, based on federal inflation data. Still, there are early signs of relief. The latest check of data from the Points Path partnership shows that while families are paying about 14% more than last year. a domestic coach ticket booked between three and five weeks in advance was cheaper than last month—and August fares are running about 6% cheaper than the same month last year.
The survey also suggests that families are chasing value rather than insisting on luxury. Points and miles are one tool in the mix. but not the deciding one: 21% of parents say they plan to use points and miles to help make family travel possible this summer. even though only 5% say the availability of points or miles redemptions matters most when choosing destinations.
Destination demand, meanwhile, doesn’t look like it’s collapsing under the weight of cost. Beach vacations remain America’s favorite family trip and easily outpace Disney and other traditional family attractions. Outdoor travel is thriving too, with camping (26%) and national parks (22%) indicating strong interest in nature-based vacations.
Disneys’ draw still exists, but it isn’t the center of the story anymore. Families collectively ask for beaches, water parks, camping, and national parks more than they ask specifically for Disney. When kids are asked where they want to go most. beach destinations top the list. with 45% of parents saying their children requested destinations like Florida. Hawaii. or the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Water parks come next at 36%, followed by camping and outdoor destinations at 26%.
Theme parks remain perennial favorites. Overall, 23% of parents say their children request theme parks, and another 22% ask for Disney World or Disneyland. National parks also tie Disney at 22%, showing plenty of families are mixing outdoor adventure with classic attractions.
Planning is becoming more of a team sport as well. About 32% of parents say they make the decisions themselves, but nearly as many—31%—say planning is a family collaboration. Another 28% say it depends on the trip, while 9% report that their children have a significant influence over the destination.
Even when kids have a say, parents aren’t giving up control of the budget. More than half—54%—say they’re open to their children’s destination ideas. But when parents veto a trip. cost is usually the reason: 25% say they have turned down a destination because it was simply too expensive. Far fewer cite it being too far (5%), crowded attractions (6%), or international travel (8%).
Travel still carries worry, but the fears look less like chaos and more like practical risks. Forty-eight percent?. No—safety concerns dominate: 28% of parents say they have no major fears about traveling with their kids. Among those who do worry. safety concerns at the destination are the top worry at 19%. followed by the risk of getting separated from a child at 18%. Parents also worry about children getting sick while traveling (14%) and airline delays or cancellations disrupting plans (12%). Only 5% cite public meltdowns as their biggest concern, and just 1% worry about their children bothering other passengers.
The sharpest frustrations, meanwhile, aren’t about children at all. The biggest complaint is overpriced food at airports and attractions, cited by 41% of respondents. Rude or impatient fellow travelers comes next at 33%, and long security or check-in lines are a close third at 30%. Another 30% say other parents failing to manage their own children is one of their biggest frustrations.
Some families also feel let down by what’s supposed to be kid-friendly. Nearly one in four—23%—cite a lack of family-friendly amenities like play spaces and changing stations. Nineteen percent say hotels sometimes overpromise and underdeliver when it comes to being “kid friendly.”
When it comes to keeping kids settled while traveling, the old basics still win. Snacks are the top strategy, with 61% relying on them to keep kids happy. Tablets loaded with downloaded content are close behind at 60%, and headphones for movies and music are used by 57%. Nearly half still pack books. coloring books. or activity pads (46%). and 41% spend time talking with children about the destination before they arrive.
Road trip games haven’t disappeared either. About one-third still play games like “I Spy” or “20 Questions” (32%), and 30% pack travel-sized games such as Uno or Scrabble.
The survey’s overall message lands with one simple force: summer travel is still happening, and the tradeoff isn’t always canceling—it’s adapting.
Even with higher prices across the board, only 6% of parents with summer travel plans say they canceled. For many families, flexibility is the lever they can pull—choosing nearby destinations, adjusting schedules, booking with some advance where possible, and using travel rewards when it fits.
The survey commissioned by The Points Guy was conducted by YouGov Plc. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 783 U.S. parents of children under 18, of whom 528 reported having summer travel plans. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16th and 21st June 2026. The survey was carried out online, with figures weighted and representative of all U.S. parents with children under 18 (aged 18+).
family travel survey YouGov The Points Guy summer travel airfare prices hotel costs points and miles destination planning budget considerations
Crazy gas prices but people still traveling so what’s the point?
So they’re not canceling, they’re just switching to cheaper stuff, got it. Still sounds like people are getting crushed by costs though. points and miles don’t do much for families with like… multiple kids.
Wait did it say 27% aren’t traveling? That seems low like nobody can afford it, unless they’re all staying in Airbnbs with credit cards. I feel like these surveys always miss the real poor folks.
People are “reshuffling” like it’s a game… but 63% still choosing destinations because of cost is basically just saying they’re going to drive somewhere close or do fewer days. Also points and miles are only “helping” if you already have them set up, not if you’re trying to figure it out last minute. Prices are up, but apparently everyone’s just accepting it? That part doesn’t make sense to me.