With more kids eligible for vaccines, here’s how families are approaching 2022 travel
Parents around the country breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was officially approved for use in kids ages 5-11 by both the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The pandemic changed nearly every aspect of families’ lives, from school to visiting family to travel. For some, travel came to a standstill for what is approaching almost two years. Others opted for road trips over air travel or found solace in the great outdoors, where social distancing was less of an issue.
In a 2021 survey conducted by the Family Travel Association, only 44% of respondents took a family vacation in 2020, a 26% drop from the previous year. Of those who did travel, more than half made changes to their original plans, while other families postponed or canceled their trips altogether.
After cost, it was COVID-19-related safety concerns and travel restrictions that were keeping families at home. Respondents in that survey who weren’t planning to travel in the next 12 months shared that they were less likely to do so because everyone in their family wasn’t vaccinated at that time.
But things are changing. Vaccines are now available for those ages 5 and up and travel restrictions are loosening in many parts of the world. As we approach 2022, the future of family travel is bright (don’t forget to pack your kids' shades).
There’s already an uptick in family travel demand for 2022
Chris Hsi, head of market research at Tripadvisor, told The Points Guy via email that, based on a recent holiday travel survey and Tripadvisor site activity, “Our current statistics are showing a favorable upswing in family travel for 2022 with families looking to book vacations both nationally and internationally.”
This lines up with survey results from the FTA, which reported travel demand from U.S. families was higher in this year’s survey than any of the past three years. There’s no question that many families are ready to get back out there and see the world.
We are also already seeing the beginnings of higher-priced airfare with additional increases expected in the coming months.
Here’s where families are headed now that they’re ready to travel
According to Tripadvisor, the vast majority of travel intent remains domestic, with 65% of respondents planning to travel domestically between now and February 2022. In the U.S., Tripadvisor reported Maine and California as destination front-runners.
Although demand for domestic travel is higher, families are still planning to travel internationally.
Hsi shared that, “We are finding that European destinations such as Paris, London, and Rome are the top destinations of choice.” Destinations in the Caribbean and the Cayman Islands also continue to be popular with families. If that sounds pretty good right now, check out these all-inclusive beach resorts you can book with points.
Families are back to planning their favorite pre-pandemic trips
The FTA’s research shows that family travel preferences are in line with pre-pandemic family travel behaviors.
Traveling to see family and friends and beach vacations are at the top of the list, followed by theme parks, waterparks and state or national parks.
Respondents were also asked who they were planning to travel with in the coming months.
After more than a year where many families postponed visits with extended family, 52% of respondents to the FTA’s survey said they were planning a multigenerational trip, while 11% of parents plan to send their children on a skip-generation trip with their grandparents.
Related: 8 tips for a successful multigenerational ski trip
Travel funds are burning a hole in many parents’ pockets
Based on Tripadvisor data, the average booking cost of stays being planned for January 2022 is twice that of those that were booked in September 2021, which coincides with the FTA’s survey findings that 44% of families expect to spend more money than they did previously on domestic travel.
Spending on international travel is in line with the slower rebound, with only 22% planning to spend more and 42% expecting to spend less.
This higher spending could be a result of money saved during the early days of the pandemic when fewer families were traveling. Forty-one percent of families “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they saved money during the pandemic to use toward future travel.
Related: How to use airline credits before they expire
The pandemic has changed certain things about family travel
Even with a renewed confidence in travel, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how families approach travel.
FTA survey findings showed parents were paying more attention to trip cancellation policies. Eighty percent of respondents either “agree” or “strongly agree” that they will only book through companies with flexible cancellation policies. They’re also now more concerned with a destination’s health and safety measures and expect “frequent, visible cleaning of common areas and often-touched surfaces” from the destinations they choose.
Despite some travelers reporting they feel safer on a cruise than at a theme park due to the higher health and safety standards, the FTA found “26% of respondents were less likely to consider a cruise even after COVID-19 has been contained” and 15% felt the same way about international travel.
The outlook is promising, but there are still health and safety considerations to keep in mind even after your children are vaccinated.
Related: Travel insurance policies vs. built-in credit card protections
Bottom line
There’s no denying there’s pent-up demand for family travel. As we transition into 2022 with school-aged children eligible for vaccines, many families plan to hit the road (or the friendly skies) once again for a vacation. If you are among them, there are a few things to know as you plan out your adventures.
Whether you are visiting a theme park, flying to an all-inclusive island resort or setting sail on a cruise, take the time to get familiar with your destination’s vaccine, testing and mask requirements before you travel. You don’t want to be halfway across the country before you realize you forgot your vaccine cards.
Also, read the fine print on change and cancellation policies when booking a hotel, cruise, air travel or event tickets.
While airlines are still generally more flexible with changes than they were before the pandemic, some lodging and event companies have returned to normal rules and may penalize you for canceling your trip or making changes for any reason, even those related to COVID-19.
Last, but certainly not least, do what feels comfortable for you.
Even if your whole family will soon be vaccinated, your comfort level may differ from your friends and family. There are so many ways to do family travel and you have to pick the one that’s going to be fun and relaxing for your family -- or at least as relaxing as traveling with kids can be, anyway.
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Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.