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A recent survey by Citi reveals some interesting travel trends this summer.
The Citi ThankYou Premier Summer Travel Survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, recently tapped into the minds of 1,000 U.S. adults from 35 to 54 years old.
One major finding: Summer travel is on the rise, but Americans are trying to avoid holiday weekends.
According to the survey, on average, consumers who are full-time employees save more than one-third (37 percent) of their vacation days for the summer season. What's more, another 30 percent save more than half of their annual vacations days for the summer.
Nearly half (46 percent) of travelers are likely to take multiple weekend trips during the summer these days. Five years ago, taking one long vacation was more popular.
But, while the summer months are perhaps more popular than ever, that doesn't mean travelers will head to the beach on just any summer weekend. In fact, more than half (54 percent) of survey respondents said they prefer to travel on non-holiday weekends, with traffic (47 percent), and high costs (30 percent) being major factors.
That being said, curbing costs is easier said than done. Nearly 60 percent of travelers say they still exceed their summer getaway budget each year.
And, interestingly enough, despite traffic being a concern for travelers, the vast majority (72 percent) are apparently still planning to travel by car this summer (most likely because of cheaper gas prices than last year).
When it comes to accommodations during the summer, Americans generally prefer to book a hotel (57 percent), while 27 percent stay with friends and family. Home rentals are apparently less popular in the summer months, with 6 percent of survey respondents saying they book through services such as Airbnb. Bed and breakfasts are also less popular during the summer months (preferred by 6 percent of respondents).
When travelers do hit the open road during summer holidays, they prefer to travel on Independence Day (25 percent), rather than Memorial Day (11 percent), or Labor Day (10 percent).
Citi is promoting its Citi ThankYou Premier card for the summer season. The card gives travelers three points for every $1 spent on travel-related expenses such as gas, rental cars, tolls, parking, hotels, and more.
"We want to reward our customers for their loyalty, and whether they are taking a weekend road trip or commuting to work, they get rewarded for every dollar they spend," said Chris Fred, head of proprietary product management at Citi Cards, via a release. "With more consumers hitting the road this summer, they can go on vacation while earning for their next trip more quickly."
For more information on the Citi ThankYou Premier card, visit www.citi.com/thankyoucards.
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