Going the distance for life’s biggest moments: AAA and Bread Financial® survey finds 76% of 2026 travelers will plan trips around important milestones
New study shows Gen Z and Millennials are most likely to travel for birthdays, weddings and friends’ milestones, often going farther and planning more intentionally to be present
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jan. 28, 2026 – A new study from AAA and Bread Financial® finds that travel in 2026 will be driven by moments that matter. 61% of Americans plan to travel in 2026, and among those travelers, more than three-quarters (76%) say their trips will be planned around important life milestones such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations. Gen Z and Millennials are leading this shift, approaching these trips with greater intention as they balance showing up for life’s biggest moments with thoughtful planning and financial confidence.
Showing up for life’s biggest moments
According to the survey, traveling to celebrate a birthday (32%) will be the most popular milestone trip in 2026, followed by family reunions (30%), friends’ milestones (29%), anniversaries (22%) and weddings (19%). Other travel-worthy events include graduations (12%), honeymoons (10%) and fitness competitions, such as a marathon or fun run (7%).
While plans to travel in 2026 are consistent across generations (60% of Gen Z, 63% of millennials, 60% of Gen X and 61% of Baby Boomers), planning this travel around milestone events is more prevalent with younger generations. Almost 9 in 10 Gen Z (89%) and Millennial (88%) survey respondents who said they will travel in 2026, say they will plan their trips around milestone events, compared to just 57% of Baby Boomers and 71% of Gen X.
"As families spread out and friends move, travel has become an essential way to stay connected especially for younger generations," said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. "It’s inspiring to see how travelers are thoughtfully planning their trips around life’s most meaningful celebrations. That's why AAA is committed to delivering exceptional experiences through our trusted travel advisors and digital tools like Trip Canvas to curate memorable milestone moments."
As families spread out and friends move, travel has become an essential way to stay connected especially for younger generations. It’s inspiring to see how travelers are thoughtfully planning their trips around life’s most meaningful celebrations."
Stacey Barber - Vice President of AAA Travel
Connection outweighs convenience – even when it’s complicated
Two in five respondents (40%) say that traveling to attend milestone events helps them reconnect with people they haven’t seen in some time, while one-third (33%) say that these trips strengthen friendships and bonds. Gen Z (25%), in particular, prioritizes traveling with friends more than Baby Boomers (9%).
However, traveling for milestone events with friends and family can be stressful. 59% of travelers report that they’ve faced tension or had an argument with a travel partner. This may impact how far people are willing to travel for milestone events, such as a wedding. Despite the interest in milestone travel, 22% of survey respondents are only willing to go to a wedding if it is close to home, and an even smaller 9% are willing to undertake a long-haul international trip outside of North America.
Planning & paying with intention
Results from the survey indicate that travelers are deliberately managing milestone travel to minimize challenges, using travel advisors, planning tools, loyalty programs and innovative payment options to optimize their traveling experiences.
Nearly half (46%) of respondents say they have relied on a travel agent or travel advisor to help plan their trips. Finding the best deals (51%), saving time (43%) and having support if something goes wrong (35%) were cited as the most important benefits of using an agent. Nearly one in three respondents relies on travel experts to handle complex logistics (31%) or uncover "hidden gems" (30%).
Debit cards (52%), personal savings (51%) and credit cards (48%) are the most common ways to pay for travel, but younger travelers are more likely to mix payment methods to manage milestone costs. This includes Buy Now, Pay Later options, gift cards, vouchers, travel credits and employer stipends as well as loyalty programs. Younger travelers feel it pays to have reward options when it comes to travel plans with one-third (33%) of Gen Z respondents (versus only 10% of Baby Boomer respondents) saying that loyalty points, status, or miles “heavily” influence plans.
Budget transparency is common, especially when traveling with others. Almost half of respondents who travel with groups or couples’ trips (46%) say they are transparent about budgets and expenses with travel partners, while 13% said they tend to handle their own finances privately. When it comes to protecting their trips, most travelers (71%) indicated that they had previously purchased travel insurance for their trips, most commonly for hotel or rental costs, baggage and personal items, emergency medical coverage while traveling, or non-refundable flights.
"Traveling for milestone moments is about more than just being there – it’s about making those moments count," said Valerie Greer, Chief Commercial Officer of Bread Financial. "With younger generations leading the charge, we’re seeing a shift toward intentional travel that balances celebrating life’s biggest events with smart financial planning. By embracing tools like travel advisors and innovative payment options, travelers can ensure they’re not only present for these special moments but also financially prepared to make them truly unforgettable."
Survey methodology
This was an online survey of 1,714 U.S. respondents 18+ who plan to travel in 2026 for personal, non-work-related occasions. The survey was conducted from December 15 to 17, 2025.
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.
Bread Financial proudly marks 30 years of success in 2026. To learn more about our global associates, our performance and our sustainability progress, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
