The rise of the flexible traveler: How consumers are planning trips differently

Overview: Travel demand remains strong, but not everyone is booking months in advance. Paysafe's latest research explores how flexibility is influencing travel planning, spending, and payment behavior, and what that means for travel brands.

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Travel remains a priority for consumers in 2026, but how and when people book their trips can vary significantly. Some travelers prefer to lock in plans months in advance, while others delay key decisions until much closer to departure.

To better understand these behaviors, Paysafe surveyed 4,500 people across the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain who were planning a leisure trip this summer. The findings revealed a notable gap between travel intent and booking commitment.

While 91% of respondents were planning or considering a summer getaway, only 34% had fully booked their trip. Meanwhile, 37% still had everything to arrange. For travel brands, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Demand is clearly there, but many consumers had yet to convert their intent into confirmed bookings.

Want to learn more? Download Paysafe's Experience Economy Report: Summer Travel 2026 for the latest insights into how consumers are planning, spending, and paying this summer.

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Keeping plans flexible in an unpredictable world

For many travelers, booking a trip is no longer as simple as choosing a destination and locking in everything months before departure. Costs, world events, and changing personal circumstances can all influence when and how consumers make their travel decisions.

Our research highlighted how much external factors were shaping travel plans in 2026. Nearly half of travelers (47%) said geopolitical tensions and rising costs significantly affected their travel decisions, while a further 40% said these factors had at least some influence.

One response to that uncertainty appears to be staying closer to home. Six in ten travelers (60%) planned a domestic trip this summer, compared with 37% traveling within their region and just 16% heading to another continent.

Whether travelers are adjusting budgets, weighing destinations, or simply waiting for more certainty, the result is the same: many are delaying final decisions and keeping their options open longer. For travel brands, that means staying visible and relevant well beyond the traditional booking window.

Do travelers really plan as far ahead as they think?

Ask travelers when they typically book a trip, and the answer seems clear. Nearly two-thirds (63%) said they usually book major parts of their trip more than three months in advance.

The reality looked somewhat different. Despite those planning habits, as we mentioned previously, only 34% of travelers surveyed had fully booked their summer travel at the time of the study, while 37% had yet to book anything at all.

The findings suggest that planning and booking are becoming two distinct stages of the travel journey. Consumers may begin researching destinations, comparing prices, and exploring options well in advance, but many are waiting longer before making a final commitment.

There's also a segment of genuine last-minute travelers. One in eight consumers (12%) said they typically book just weeks or days before departure.

For travel brands, that means inspiration alone is no longer enough. Travelers may be planning for months, but converting that interest into a booking increasingly requires ongoing engagement throughout a longer, less predictable decision-making process.

Flexible plans don't mean smaller budgets

Keeping travel plans open doesn't necessarily mean consumers are spending less. In fact, research suggests many travelers remain committed to making the most of their trips once they book. One-third (34%) expected to spend more on leisure travel than last summer, while the majority (56%) anticipated spending about the same.

Where that money goes is particularly telling. Half of travelers (50%) expected to spend more on experiences during their trip, compared with just 19% who plan to spend more on shopping or physical goods. Experiences and activities are also the top category for discretionary spending, with 42% identifying them as a category they're willing to splurge on, closely followed by dining at 40%.

For travel brands, this creates opportunities throughout the customer journey. Even when bookings happen later, travelers continue to prioritize memorable activities and experiences once they're on their trip. Capturing that spend increasingly depends on being present when consumers are ready to decide.

Flexible travelers need flexible payment options

Flexible travel plans often lead to more spontaneous spending. Whether it's booking an activity, upgrading accommodations, or paying for a last-minute meal, travelers expect payments to work quickly and reliably wherever they are.

Paysafe's research suggests that many consumers were preparing for the unexpected by building flexibility into their payment methods. Among those surveyed:

• 70% planned to use multiple payment methods while traveling as a backup.
• 36% worried their preferred payment method may not work abroad.
• 62% were confident they can pay with their phone while traveling.
• 45% had abandoned a purchase while traveling because paying was inconvenient or difficult.

For travel brands, these findings underscore the importance of supporting payment choice throughout the customer journey. Travelers may be more flexible about when they book, but their expectations at checkout remain high. A checkout experience that is fast, reliable, and offers multiple payment options can help merchants capture more of those in-the-moment spending opportunities.

That's where Paysafe can help. By supporting card payments, digital wallets, eCash solutions, and alternative payment methods, Paysafe enables travel businesses to deliver the flexibility today's travelers expect while reducing friction at critical moments in the purchase journey.

FAQs

Why are some travelers waiting longer to book their trips?

Many travelers prefer to keep their options open while comparing destinations, prices, and experiences before making a final decision.

Does flexible travel mean people are spending less?

Not necessarily. Travelers continue to prioritize meaningful experiences and are willing to spend on the aspects of a trip that matter most to them.

Why is payment flexibility important when traveling?

Travelers want the freedom to pay in the way that suits them best, whether that's with cards, digital wallets, or other payment methods. A smooth payment experience helps remove friction throughout the journey.