The 2026 Summer Travel Report: Planning early, saving more, but earning less
New Raisin research reveals a disconnect in vacation prep: ~57% of travelers start saving 6+ months in advance, yet a similar proportion are losing value to inflation in low-yield accounts.
For many Americans, the summer getaway is a major financial milestone. A recent Raisin study of 100 participants shows that travelers are more disciplined than ever, often starting their savings plans nearly a year before departure.
However, this hard work isn't always paying off. While travelers excel at setting money aside, many overlook high-yield accounts, essentially leaving free vacation money on the table. By closing this yield gap, patient savers can earn a "vacation dividend" while they wait for their trip.
The extended vacation planning cycle
Summer travel is defined by long-term preparation. Rather than scrambling for cash at the last minute, most travelers take the long view, using months of consistent saving to build their budgets.
Significant lead times: nearly 66% of travelers start putting funds aside for their summer trips at least 3 months in advance.
The ultra-planners: 1 in 10 travelers are so committed to their travel goals that they start setting money aside more than a full year in advance.
Minimal short-term prep: only 11% of travelers wait until the final three months to begin funding their summer vacation.
Key takeaway: Intentionality is the standard for summer travel. More than half of all travelers now operate on a 3+ month financial lead time to ensure their trips are fully funded and stress-free.
2026 travel ambition: bigger budgets and global horizons
Americans aren't just planning earlier, they are planning to go bigger. Despite the headlines about the cost of living, travel intent remains robust, with a clear shift toward higher spending and international experiences.
Spending is on the Rise: Nearly 45% of travelers expect their total travel spending this year to be higher than in 2025. Only 15% of participants plan to scale back their budgets.
Summer budgets from mid-range to luxury: 31% of summer budgets fall between $3,000 and $4,999. However, luxury travel is surging, with nearly 1 in 5 travelers reporting plans to spend $7,500 or more on their summer escapes.
The passport priority: 26% of participants plan to travel internationally more than they did last year. Strikingly, 27% are "New Internationalists" who did not travel abroad last summer but have booked or are planning a trip for 2026.
Key takeaway: With 80% of travelers expressing international intentions and nearly half of all travelers spending more than last year, the summer of 2026 is shaping up to be an expensive one. This makes the interest dividend from a high-yield account even more critical to helping travelers cover the rising costs of going global.
The opportunity: High discipline, higher rewards
One of the most encouraging takeaways from the report is the untapped potential held by patient planners. Those with the longest saving horizons have a unique chance to boost their travel budget simply by choosing the right home for their savings.
32% of long-term savers have the discipline to save but have yet to switch to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) to maximize their returns.
59% of long-term planners currently keep vacation money in cash or traditional checking accounts. Moving these funds to a higher-yield vehicle helps protect the purchasing power of their travel cash.
Despite a competitive rate environment, only 10% of the most proactive savers are earning true market-leading rates (currently around mid-high 3.00% APY*).
Key takeaway: While 41% of travelers save for 6 months or more, there is a significant opportunity for these savers to "upgrade" their funds with high-yield accounts to secure a bigger vacation budget.
Trends by generation and income
Survey results reveal that the opportunity to optimize savings exists across all demographic lines, though the ways different age groups and income levels save varies.
Tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z: Younger travelers lead high-yield adoption with 74% reporting they have a high-yield savings account, yet many still keep dedicated vacation funds in low-interest accounts.
Disciplined baby boomers: This group shows the highest level of long-term commitment. 50% of baby boomers save for 6 months or more, providing a perfect foundation to earn significant returns in high-yield accounts.
The high-earner gap: Larger budgets do not always guarantee better yields. Among travelers earning $100,000 or more, 20% lack a high-yield savings account entirely, and 35% still rely on low-interest traditional accounts for their vacation funds, leaving significant potential earnings on the table.
Key takeaway: Financial discipline is already standard for the majority of travelers; the missing piece is the right account. Switching to a high-yield vehicle can turn an existing saving routine into a free vacation upgrade.
Smarter saving, better vacations
The takeaway for summer travelers is clear: Discipline is only half the battle. For those already doing the hard work of planning and saving for 6 to 12 months, moving those funds into a higher interest vehicle, such as a high-yield savings account or CD, can ensure those vacation dollars go the extra mile.
In the current rate environment, the interest earned over a year-long planning cycle could cover the cost of a flight upgrade, a rental car, or several high-end meals — rewarding travelers for the patience they are already showing.
Don’t let your discipline go unrewarded. Explore how you can bridge the yield gap and make your vacation fund work as hard as you do.
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*APY means Annual Percentage Yield. APY is accurate as of May 4, 2026. Interest rate and APY may change after initial deposit depending on the terms of the specific product selected. Minimum opening deposit is $1.00.
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