Money Matters - Winter Travel Survey

 With some of the year’s busiest travel dates fast approaching, WalletHub today announced the results of its 2025 Winter Travel Survey, along with its updated list of the Best Credit Cards for Winter Travel. Applying for the right card now will give people enough time to earn $750+ in free travel this winter.

Key Findings

• Inflated Travel Costs: 54% of people say inflation will affect their winter travel plans.
   
• Weaker Dollar Concerns: 51% of Americans believe a weaker dollar will affect their winter travel plans.
   
• Bigger Travel Bills: 25% of Americans say they will spend more on winter travel this year than last year.
   
• Lingering Travel Debt: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans are still carrying debt from traveling last winter.
   
• Credit Card Savings: 23% of people plan to apply for a new credit card to save on travel this winter.
   
• Filling Budget Gaps With Rewards: 55% of Americans plan to redeem credit card rewards to help with their winter holiday spending.
   
• Budgeting Apps for Travel: Nearly 1 in 3 people say they’re going to use a budgeting app to plan for their next vacation.
   
• 2025’s Best Travel Credit Card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for winter travel because it offers an initial bonus worth $750 in travel, at least double miles on every purchase, flexible redemption and no foreign transaction fees.
  
   

“Despite inflation and a weaker dollar affecting a majority of people’s winter travel plans, according to a new WalletHub survey, only 25% of Americans say they’re going to spend more on travel this winter than they did last year. Many people, it seems, are either going to stay home or look for ways to offset price hikes. For example, 23% of people plan to apply for a new credit card to save on winter travel, which is a good strategy because it can save you $750+ quite quickly, and 55% of people say they’re going to redeem credit card rewards to help pay for their trips. Budgeting better is a top priority for many travelers as well, and that in particular will go a long way when skipping holiday travel isn’t possible. It’s like an early holiday gift to yourself, since you don’t want to be dealing with expensive travel debt in the new year.”
 
- John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor
 


 

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