https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/wkKCRx9

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/RELe7lv

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/zMRWJxi

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/qjMRraX

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/37zAMPd

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/3dWYreh

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/TVf6OBg

https://ift.tt/XwNHZPv Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/kSRBV0w

https://ift.tt/SiId0vt Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez https://ift.tt/BR3IKTE

Going Places is a new series from TripIt that highlights frequent travelers to showcase their unique travel styles and insider tips. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, you could find Julia Menez, founder of points-and-miles strategy podcast and consultancy, Geobreeze, country-hopping around Europe or Asia. She often took four or more international trips a year; usually flying in economy—and always on points and miles. Her go-to mode for country-hopping? Cruises. Her favorite stop? Tallinn, Estonia. 

“I’m a huge “Game of Thrones” fan,” Julia told me. “And High Valyrian has roots in the Estonian language, so I was naturally drawn to the place. Tallinn was so charming. I recommend it to everyone!” 

Fast forward to 2022, and travel looks a bit different for Julia. 

“Now, I travel a lot more domestically—and maybe twice a year internationally. I also opt for business or first class when I do. It’s fewer trips, but a nicer experience—and nets out to be the same price-wise,” she said. 

She’s also been planning trips that involve less hopping around—and more staying put—as a result of the heightened border-crossing requirements in place due to COVID-19. 

Points and miles—a game where everyone wins 

When she’s not traveling, Julia runs her podcast where she interviews points strategists to learn how they travel for free. She’s also a points strategy coach, helping people level up their points-and-miles game. 

Of course, she’s always on the lookout to put her own points and miles to use. 

“I maintain a bucket list of award-travel sweet spots, and then keep an eye out for good award availability,” she said. “When it comes to booking, I always grab an available award first—whether that’s a flight or a hotel—and then I build the rest of my itinerary from there.” 

So, what’s on her bucket list of award-travel destinations? “For starters, Greece! I became obsessed with Greek mythology at a young age. It’s been my dream to visit, but it’s always been so expensive to go when you’re paying with cash. I’m hoping to go this year using points and miles.” 

Staying organized—from planning to landing to loyalty status 

When it comes to planning a trip, Julia and her husband split up the tasks. She handles booking flights and accommodations with their points and miles; he handles the on-the-ground details.

But when it comes to organizing their travel plans, Julia relies on TripIt. 

“I use TripIt to keep all my confirmation numbers in one place. I don’t have to dig through my emails, especially when I’m checking into a flight. I also use it to confirm I’ve booked the right hotel dates. When you’re getting in late, the last thing you want to be wondering is, did I book a room for tonight?”

When she’s on the go, Julia uses TripIt’s airport maps to navigate the terminal and find out what lounges are nearby. She also checks the COVID-19 travel guidance feature to know what to expect from different countries’ entry requirements. 

And when she’s back home, Julia uses TripIt to help her estimate when she’ll earn loyalty program status. “Both the Point Tracker feature and the way TripIt organizes itineraries are really helpful for keeping track of when I’ll get status each year.” 

With more luxury travel experiences on the horizon—and lots more countries to claim on her scratch-off world map—you’ll probably catch Julia people-watching at an airport lounge, helping someone book their own dream trips with points and miles (check her out on Instagram for helpful tips!), or a bit of both. 

The post Going Places: A Conversation with Julia Menez appeared first on TripIt Blog.

TripIt Blog https://ift.tt/4RQfYkj

Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 continue to vary greatly and constantly change, meaning the decision to travel—and the process of traveling—isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. TripIt’s COVID-19 travel guidance feature shows you the latest COVID-19 travel guidelines, restrictions, and requirements for the destinations you’re planning to visit. This information comes from our partner Riskline. 

You can find destination-specific information about vaccination rates and requirements, approved vaccines, testing requirements, exemptions for vaccinated travelers, current infection rates, quarantine rules upon arrival, and other information you need to know before visiting the area. 

If you’re a TripIt Pro user, you can search the feature to find all of the above information for destinations you’re planning to visit without needing them to be part of a TripIt itinerary. This is available in the Pro tab of the app.

The feature also provides airline-specific COVID-19 guidance, including airline-recommended apps to assist with travel and entry, airline-facilitated COVID-19 test availability and scheduling, and more. 

There’s also a COVID-19 Summary screen so you can view crucial pre-departure information you may need to take action on before an international trip. These pre-trip details include vaccine and testing requirements for your destination, as well as apps recommended by your airline. 

Here’s what else you might want to know about TripIt’s COVID-19 travel guidance feature. 

Who has access to COVID-19 travel guidance?

COVID-19 travel guidance is available to all TripIt users in the TripIt app. Guidance is available for more than 200 countries and territories along with 79 airlines.

Some countries also have data available by specific regions:

• Australia has information available by state 
• Canada has information available by province 
• United States has information available by state
• France has information available by region
• Spain has information available by autonomous communities 

Where can I access COVID-19 travel guidance?

The next time you view a trip itinerary in TripIt, you will notice a guidebook button on your trip summary screen (above the edit button). Tap the guidebook to see additional information to help you prepare for your next trip.  

If you’re a TripIt Pro user, you can also search for COVID-19 travel guidance prior to booking a trip right from the Pro tab in the TripIt app. 

What vaccine-related information is available for my trip?

You can find vaccine-related information right in the COVID-19 travel guidance feature. All TripIt users can view vaccination information at the country-level for destinations they’re visiting, including:

• Vaccination rates
• Vaccination requirements
• Approved vaccines
• Exemptions from quarantine, testing, or other entry requirements for vaccinated travelers
• Accepted forms of certification

Where can I find airline-specific COVID-19 guidance?

The COVID-19 travel guidance feature also offers airline-specific guidance, giving you access to information about your flight’s enhanced cleaning procedures, health documentation requirements, food and beverage service, and more. 

You can also find airline-specific details, including:

• Apps recommended by the airline to facilitate travel and entry
• Information on whether a COVID-19 test can be scheduled through the airline

What else is TripIt doing to help travelers?

Adding COVID-19 travel guidance into the TripIt app is just one of the ways we’re making it easier to navigate your health and safety needs the next time you travel. 

You can also view a general health and medical score for the area you’re visiting in Neighborhood Safety Scores and easily find hospitals and pharmacies in Nearby Places. We’ve also added amenities related to health and safety to Interactive Airport Maps. For available airports, TripIt Pro users can search interactive maps for the locations of COVID-19 testing sites, stores that sell face coverings, hand sanitizer stations, and personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machines—all right in the app.

The post The Complete Guide to TripIt’s COVID-19 Travel Guidance Feature appeared first on TripIt Blog.

TripIt Blog https://ift.tt/TW7bNJd

City break (noun): a short holiday spent in a city, such as when on business travel.

Before there was bleisure travel, there was the city break—the short space of leisure time that grants you access to the cultural and culinary amenities that big cities offer. In this series from TripIt, we explore some of the world’s best cities for planning a quick getaway or extending a work trip.

Here are our tips for making the most of your city break in Cincinnati. 

Where to fly in

Cincinnati metro area is served by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), located 13 miles south of Cincinnati, just over the Ohio state border in Hebron, Kentucky. 

Once on the ground, travelers can catch the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) public bus service outside of baggage claim to head into downtown Cincinnati.

Taxis and ride shares are also available from CVG. Alternatively, you can rent a car to get around the city. Rental car lots can be accessed via shuttle. Shuttles run about every 10 minutes; catch one just outside baggage claim. 

Where to stay during your city break

Visitors to Cincinnati are fortunate to have both sides of the Ohio River to choose from for accommodations. For instance, Hotel Covington, located immediately across the river from Cincinnati in Covington, KY, draws business travelers and brunch-goers alike. Back in Cincinnati proper, travelers can choose from four-star hotels like the 21c Museum Hotel and Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza.

If a hotel in a prime downtown Cincinnati location is what you’re after, look no further than the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. Located in the Central Business District, the hotel is just a three-minute walk from Fountain Square and an 11-minute walk from the Great American Ball Park. 

In the Queen City on business? Planning an event? The Westin Cincinnati—located just steps away from Fountain Square—offers over 11,000 square feet of meeting, conference, and event space. 

How to get around

Part of downtown Cincinnati’s charm is its easy walkability. Plan accordingly by packing comfortable shoes for walking from place to place. 

When walking isn’t feasible, Cincinnati’s Metro bus system can be your go-to for getting around. A single-ride fare starts at $2.00 for a one-way trip. Download the Cincy EZ Ride app to purchase your fare, as well as view bus maps, schedules, and more. 

Sticking around downtown? The Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar covers 3.6 miles of downtown Cincy and connects many of the city’s attractions and businesses. The streetcar is free to ride. 

Prefer to pedal your way around town? Grab a Cincinnati Red Bike; day passes are $10 for unlimited two-hour rides within 24 hours. 

Alternatively, Lyft and Uber are available in Cincinnati for getting around the city in a jiffy or outside of downtown. 

Pro tip: Use TripIt’s Navigator feature to search transportation options available to you. It will show you the estimated costs and travel times for each option, so you can decide which works best. You can find Navigator within your plan details screens. 

Where to eat

If you only have time for one meal during your trip to Cincinnati, make it at Sotto. Offering menu items that are “above all, Italian,” Sotto is open for dinner seven days a week. Reservations are recommended—as is taking a peek at their impressive wine list. 

For more casual eats, choose from The Eagle, Salazar Restaurant & Bar, Zula Restaurant & Wine Bar, Pleasantry, B & A Street Kitchen, Pepp & Dolores, and Copper & Flame. 

In pursuit of wine and cheese? Head to The Rhined to sample the best domestically made artisan cheeses around—paired perfectly with a glass of vino. 

Have breakfast on the brain? Make your way to Blue Jay Restaurant, located in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood, for traditional breakfast dishes served all day long. 

Let’s not forget to look across the river. Yonder, a rooftop bar located immediately above Commonwealth Bistro (by the same owners), offers unique bar bites made from locally sourced ingredients and inventive cocktails to match. Libby’s Southern Comfort in Covington takes a turn on southern classics. You can contact the restaurant for reservations or call-ahead seating. 

And finally, whether you’re staying at Hotel Covington or not, make sure to book your brunch plans at Coppin’s Restaurant and Bar. The ingredients are hyper-local and the aesthetic is very Instagrammable. Win-win. 

What to do on your city break

While many cities tout themselves as America’s best beer city, few can lay claim to the long brewing history Cincinnati has. In the mid-1800’s, German entrepreneurs built a profitable brewing industry, establishing Over-The-Rhine’s Brewery District. Today, breweries dot the cityscape, both within OTR and beyond. To sample the city’s best suds, choose from breweries like Rhinegeist Brewery, Taft’s Brewing Company, Urban Artifact Brewing, 13 Below Brewery, and many more. 

If you’re visiting Cincinnati during baseball season, be sure to catch a Reds game at the Great American Ball Park. More of a football fan? The Bengals play just down the street at Paul Brown Stadium. Or, catch the other kind of football at West End Stadium, the new home of FC Cincinnati.

If you’re planning a family trip, there are plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cincinnati. Start your day at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Then, head downtown to explore Washington Park. Catch a rainy or chilly day? Head to the Cincinnati Public Library or The Children’s Museum for hours of indoor fun.

Adults only? By day, visit Findlay Market—Cincinnati’s last remaining public market, open since 1852. By night, catch a performance at the Cincinnati Music Hall. From touring Broadway and comedy shows to opera and classical music performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Note: As destinations reopen around the world, be sure to consult and adhere to all local guidelines and travel restrictions, as they vary widely and will continue to change. One way to stay on top of changing guidelines is to consult the COVID-19 travel guidance feature in the TripIt app for destination-specific information, including testing and vaccination requirements, current infection rates, quarantine rules upon arrival, and other information you need to know before visiting the area.

The post City Break: Cincinnati appeared first on TripIt Blog.

TripIt Blog https://ift.tt/0yefaGl

https://ift.tt/vfZHq3b New Air Travel Checklist https://ift.tt/8TvMYgj

https://ift.tt/vfZHq3b New Air Travel Checklist https://ift.tt/W6TK2hx

https://ift.tt/vfZHq3b New Air Travel Checklist https://ift.tt/4PEJWpr

https://ift.tt/vfZHq3b New Air Travel Checklist https://ift.tt/BxdWQ5o

https://ift.tt/vfZHq3b New Air Travel Checklist https://ift.tt/1fcO96g

Flexible booking(s) – check.
Passport – check. 
Boarding pass – check.
COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing documents – check. 
Face covering – check. 

Nowadays, our new travel normal comes with a lot of extra checks. So, we’ve created a new air travel checklist to help you stay organized—and in the know—as you navigate an ever-changing world of travel. 

Download Your New Air Travel Checklist here, then upload it to Documents in TripIt

Want to learn more about the TripIt features mentioned in the checklist? Read on for a detailed description of each feature. 

COVID-19 travel guidance 

Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 vary greatly and constantly change, meaning the decision to travel—and the process of traveling—isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Last year, we added the COVID-19 travel guidance feature to show you the latest COVID-19 travel guidelines, restrictions, and requirements—alongside infection rates—for the destinations you’re visiting. 

You can also find destination-specific information about vaccination rates and requirements, approved vaccines, testing requirements, and exemptions for vaccinated travelers. We’ve also added airline-specific COVID-19 guidance, including airline-recommended apps to assist with travel and entry, airline-facilitated COVID-19 test availability, and more.

TripIt Pro users can also search for the latest COVID-19 travel guidance by destination, so you can see these details in advance of adding a plan to TripIt. 

Read more: In a Changing World of Travel, Here’s How We’ve Kept Up

Inbox Sync 

Inbox Sync connects your Gmail, Google Workspace, Yahoo! Mail, and Outlook inboxes with your TripIt account.

Once connected, your travel plans are automatically added to your TripIt account. You never have to remember to forward an email to plans@tripit.com (though that works, too!). TripIt will scan your inbox(es) for travel plans, then automatically import them into TripIt.  

International Travel Tools 

TripIt Pro makes international travel easier by showing logistics such as embassy information, currency conversions, socket and plug requirements, required vaccinations, tipping advice, and more in our International Travel Tools feature. 

Next time you travel internationally with TripIt, you will notice a passport button on your trip summary. Simply tap on it to find an array of tips and tools customized specifically to the country you are traveling to.

Documents 

Gone are the days of toggling back and forth between your digital boarding pass and TripIt app as you multitask your way through the airport. 

The Documents feature enables you to upload PDFs, photos, boarding pass and mobile passport QR codes to your travel plans—and of course, your new air travel checklist—so everything is in one place. You can add attachments to the Details screen for your flight, lodging, car rental, activity, and other trip items.

This feature is available to all TripIt users. Anyone can upload three documents per trip; TripIt Pro users can upload up to 25 documents per trip.

Share your TripIt itinerary

To share your travel plans from the app, simply click the share icon on your itinerary to share your travel plans via text or email. You can also select individual (or multiple) trip plans within a TripIt itinerary and send them via text, Slack, WhatsApp, or your favorite messaging app. You can also choose to add people as viewers, editors, or travelers on your trip, and they will see updates to your itinerary in real time.

As a TripIt Pro member, you can add people to your Inner Circle, and we’ll do the sharing for you. New trips are conveniently shared to your Inner Circle as soon as they’re posted in your account. When you’d prefer not to share travel plans, simply select “Do not share with Inner Circle” when creating the trip.  

Airport Maps 

All TripIt users can view airport and terminal maps right in the app to help you navigate to your gate and more. 

TripIt Pro members can also access even more Interactive Airport Maps to quickly and easily navigate your way around the airport, with step-by-step directions, walking times, search options, dynamic 3D detail, and more. 

In pace with the times, we’ve added amenities related to health and safety to Interactive Airport Maps. For available airports, TripIt Pro users can search interactive maps for the locations of COVID-19 testing sites, stores that sell face coverings, hand sanitizer stations, and personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machines—all right in the app. 

Interactive airport maps are available to TripIt Pro users for more than 105 global airports. 

Baggage claim alert

TripIt Pro members can receive flight status notifications via email, push, and SMS. Upon arrival, TripIt flight alerts will tell you what time your flight arrived at its destination and will display your baggage claim information if available.

Navigator

Our Navigator feature helps you get from point A to point B more easily with a search tool that shows you the transportation options available to you. It will also show you the estimated costs and travel times for each option, so you can decide which works best. You can find Navigator within your flight, hotel, activity booking, and rental car details screens.

Nearby Places 

Whether you’re looking for a place to eat, drink, pick up supplies, or seek medical care, TripIt’s Nearby Places feature makes it easy to find places close to where you’re staying. 

Should you need medical help while traveling, our enhanced Nearby Places makes it easy to find hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies close to where you’re staying. 

The feature will give you the medical facility’s contact details, hours, and more. TripIt will also show you an interactive map with each option tagged so you can see where it is in relation to your accommodations. Then, you can easily get directions or tap the plus (+) sign to save the information for later.  

Neighborhood Safety Scores

TripIt’s Neighborhood Safety Scores feature helps you learn about the safety of the neighborhood they’re visiting. You can access hyperlocal safety ratings along any point within your TripIt itinerary for more than 65,000 cities and neighborhoods for both daytime and nighttime. 

This helps you visualize and gain an understanding of current safety conditions by location. Among the safety categories, you can view a health and medical score—which factors in COVID-19 data—for the area you’re visiting.

Since safety looks different to everyone, we enabled the ability to set a personal risk level within the Neighborhood Safety Scores feature. Once you’ve done so, we’ll warn you if you’re planning on visiting an area that exceeds your threshold—helping you to make better informed decisions while you’re on the go.

Carbon Footprint

TripIt shows you the carbon emissions for your flights, tracks your annual flight emissions, and offers you ways to offset that environmental impact—right alongside all your travel plans. 

With our Carbon Footprint feature, you can: 

• See your flight’s carbon emissions 
• Track your annual carbon footprint for air travel 
• View practical suggestions to offset and reduce your environmental impact 

To view the carbon emissions for an individual flight, visit the flight’s detail screen and you’ll see the Carbon Footprint section. To view the cumulative carbon emissions for all your flights in a certain year, check out your Travel Stats in the More tab. From there, tap on Carbon Footprint for more info and ideas on how to reduce or offset your footprint.

Travel Stats 

Oh, the places you’ve been! Proud of how many destinations you’ve explored? Did you know you can view these stats, and more, in Travel Stats? 

To check out your Travel Stats, head to the More tab of the TripIt mobile app, then tap Travel Stats. You can also share your travel stats on social media using the share button or by snapping a screenshot. Remember to include #TripItTravelStats with your post.

Search for iOS

With a few keywords, you can now search within your travel plans to find trip details like restaurants you’ve booked, hotels you’ve stayed (or plan to stay) at, states or countries you’ve visited or plan to visit, and so on. 

To get started, enter a few keywords—e.g., “London hotel”—into the search bar and results will instantly start to populate. Then, simply click on the plan that you were searching for, and voila! You can jump right to that plan and recall the details you need. 

Try TripIt Pro for Free

The post Your New Air Travel Checklist appeared first on TripIt Blog.

TripIt Blog https://ift.tt/BvgkE2U

https://ift.tt/MqODioJ Data: 4X as Many Spring Breakers Hitting the Roads and Skies in 2022 vs. 2021 https://ift.tt/FSfnMDe

https://ift.tt/MqODioJ Data: 4X as Many Spring Breakers Hitting the Roads and Skies in 2022 vs. 2021 https://ift.tt/6m92Fjr

https://ift.tt/MqODioJ Data: 4X as Many Spring Breakers Hitting the Roads and Skies in 2022 vs. 2021 https://ift.tt/RD7Vwtk

https://ift.tt/MqODioJ Data: 4X as Many Spring Breakers Hitting the Roads and Skies in 2022 vs. 2021 https://ift.tt/hw0mWze

https://ift.tt/nFYJeSL Data: 4X as Many Spring Breakers Hitting the Roads and Skies in 2022 vs. 2021 https://ift.tt/9xhjXwq

This year’s spring break could be quite the travel event! With Omicron cases dropping and temperatures rising, our data shows that many will be memorializing the two-year anniversary of the pandemic with a spring break vacation. 

TripIt analyzed U.S. origin flight reservations made by our TripIt users for spring break and compared the findings to equivalent booking periods in 2021. 

We found that travel volumes will significantly surpass last year’s volumes, and big cities that slipped from the top 25 lists are back again, replacing the off-the-beaten-path destinations that held temporary reign in 2021. 

Current Percentage of Reservations Compared to Prior Year 

	2022 Flights (all)	2022 Flights (Domestic)	2022 Flights (Int’l)	2022 Car Rentals	2022 Lodging	2022 Vacation Rentals
Compared to 2021	383%	354%	507%	404%	351%	215%

Big cities spring ahead 

As we heard in our recent survey, 54% of U.S.-based travelers plan to take a flight within the U.S. by March—and from the looks of our booking data, many travelers will be headed out for spring break. With flight volumes at nearly 4x what they were for the same period last year, it’s going to be a very busy few weeks at the airports.  

The busiest airports during the nearly three-week period we analyzed will be: 

1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) 

2. Denver International Airport (DEN) 

3. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 

4. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

5. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) 

6. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) 

7. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) 

8. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DWF) 

9. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) 

10. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) 

As for the busiest departure days, Friday, March 11, will be the busiest, followed by Saturday, March 12, Thursday, March 17, and Friday, March 18. 

Consistent with recent booking data, Orlando, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver will be the most popular destinations for travelers during spring break, as well.  

Indeed, big cities are making their way back to the top 25. New York City (#7), San Francisco (#12), Chicago (#13), Boston (#24), and Washington, D.C. (#25) will all reemerge after a year of absence. 

Top 25 Flight Destinations
*Not included in comparison year list

2022	Rank	2021
Orlando, FL	1	Orlando, FL
Las Vegas, NV	2	Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ	3	Las Vegas, NV
Denver, CO	4	Denver, CO
Cancun	5	Fort Myers, FL
Los Angeles, CA	6	Cancun
*New York, NY	7	Tampa, FL
Miami, FL	8	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL	9	Kahului, HI
Salt Lake City, UT	10	Honolulu, HI
San Diego, CA	11	Miami, FL
*San Francisco, CA	12	Salt Lake City, UT
*Chicago, IL	13	Los Angeles, CA
*London	14	*Kailua-kona, HI
Tampa, FL	15	*San Jose Cabo
For Myers, FL	16	Dallas, TX
Honolulu, HI	17	San Diego, CA
Kahului, HI	18	New Orleans, LA
Dallas, TX	19	*Tokyo
New Orleans, LA	20	Seattle, WA
Austin, TX	21	*Palm Springs, CA
Seattle, WA	22	Austin, TX
Atlanta, GA	23	*Nashville, TN
*Boston, MA	24	Atlanta, GA
*Washington, DC	25	*Houston, TX

The trend that just keeps riding 

While the pandemic looks to be heading into a new phase, it seems the rental car trend will hang around at least a little while longer. We expect 4x the number of rentals we saw last spring break. While the top five destinations look very similar to the top flight destinations, Kahului, HI is one notable addition. 

Top 25 Car Rental Pickup Locations 
*Not included in comparison year list 

2022	Rank	2021
Orlando, FL	1	Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ	2	Phoenix, AZ
Kahului, HI	3	Denver, CO
Denver, CO	4	Kahului, HI
Las Vegas, NV	5	Fort Myers, FL
Honolulu, HI	6	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tampa, FL	7	Las Vegas, NV
Salt Lake City, UT	8	Tampa, FL
Los Angeles, CA	9	Honolulu, HI
Fort Myers, FL	10	Miami, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL	11	Salt Lake City, UT
San Francisco, CA	12	Kailua-kona, HI
Kailua-kona, HI	13	Austin, TX
San Diego, CA	14	Dallas, TX
Lihue, HI	15	San Diego, CA
Miami, FL	16	*College Park, GA
*Palm Springs, CA	17	*Jacksonville, FL
Dallas, TX	18	*Belgrade, MT
Austin, TX	19	Chicago, IL
*Seattle, WA	20	Los Angeles, CA
Houston, TX	21	Lihue, HI
Chicago, IL	22	Houston, TX
*Boston, MA	23	*Reno, NV
*Nashville, TN	24	*Charlotte, NC
*West Palm Beach, FL	25	San Francisco, CA

The trend that’s stalled 

Lodging and vacation rentals see the most significant shake up in their respective top 25 lists. The more remote, more outdoorsy, and less cosmopolitan destinations that reigned supreme last year—Sedona, Grand Canyon, and Moab, for example—are replaced by their inverse this year—New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. 

Last year, we also saw a shift toward longer hotel stays, with 45% of reservations booked for 5-7 days stays and just over 2% for 8+ day stays. We attributed that trend to the ability to work and school from anywhere. This year, however, we see a shift back toward slightly shorter stays, with just over 14% staying 5+ days and the majority (74%) staying 3-4 days.  

Top 25 Lodging Locations 
*Not included in comparison year list 

2022	Rank	2021
Las Vegas, NV	1	Orlando, FL
Orlando, FL	2	Las Vegas, NV
*New York, NY	3	Lahaina, HI
San Diego, CA	4	Honolulu, HI
*Chicago, IL	5	Scottsdale, AZ
New Orleans, LA	6	New Orleans, LA
Honolulu, HI	7	Phoenix, AZ
*Los Angeles, CA	8	*Key West, FL
*Washington, DC	9	*Park City, UT
*Miami, FL	10	*Sedona, AZ
*San Francisco, CA	11	*Lake Buena Vista, FL
Scottsdale, AZ	12	Miami Beach, FL
Phoenix, AZ	13	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Austin, TX	14	San Antonio, TX
Nashville, TN	15	*Vail, CO
*Anaheim, CA	16	*Grand Canyon, AZ
*Atlanta, GA	17	Nashville, TN
Lahaina, HI	18	Denver, CO
*Boston, MA	19	Kissimmee, FL
*Houston, TX	20	Austin, TX
Denver, CO	21	*Kihei, HI
San Antonio, TX	22	San Diego, CA
Fort Lauderdale, FL	23	*Palm Desert, CA
Miami Beach, FL	24	*Hilton Head Island, SC
Kissimmee, FL	25	*Moab, UT

Percentage of Lodging Reservations by Length of Stay 

	1-2 Days	3-4 Days	5-7 Days	8+ Days
2022	12%	74%	14%	0.6%
2021	15%	38%	45%	2.2%

We see similar trends for vacation rentals as well, with destinations like Big Sky, MT, Hilton Head, SC, and Flagstaff, AZ being swapped for Austin, TX, Nashville, TN, and Tucson, AZ. However, we don’t see as strong a shift away from longer stays. While the percentage of stays for 8+ days in a vacation rental did decrease from 15% last year to 8% this year, we’re seeing stays for 5-7 days increase from 49% to 58%. 

Top 25 Vacation Rental Locations 
*Not included in comparison year list 

2022	Rank	2021
San Diego, CA	1	Sedona, AZ
New Orleans, LA	2	Park City, UT
Palm Springs, CA	3	Kissimmee, FL
Scottsdale, AZ	4	Breckenridge, CO
*Austin, TX	5	Palm Springs, CA
Park City, UT	6	*Moab, UT
Miami, FL	7	Honolulu, HI
Breckenridge, CO	8	*Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Kissimmee, FL	9	*Panama City, FL
Kihei, HI	10	Scottsdale, AZ
*Nashville, TN	11	*Vail, CO
*Tucson, AZ	12	New Orleans, LA
*Phoenix, AZ	13	*Lahaina, HI
Savannah, GA	14	Savannah, GA
Sedona, AZ	15	*Fredericksburg, TX
*Chicago, IL	16	Kihei, HI
*Kailua-kona, HI	17	*Cape Coral, FL
*Los Angeles, CA	18	San Diego, CA
*Miami Beach, FL	19	*St. Augustine, FL
*Washington, DC	20	*Big Sky, MT
*Steamboat Springs, CO	21	*Charleston, SC
Honolulu, HI	22	Miami, FL
*Orlando, FL	23	*Hilton Head Island, SC
*San Francisco, CA	24	*Flagstaff, AZ
*Princeville, HI	25	*Destin, FL

Percentage of Vacation Rental Reservations by Length of Stay 

	1-2 Days	3-4 Days	5-7 Days	8+ Days
2022	7%	30%	58%	6%
2021	9%	27%	49%	15%

Methodology: TripIt looked at U.S. origin round-trip flight reservations made between February 7, 2021, and February 7, 2022, for travel during Spring Break (Friday March 11 – Sunday, March 27, 2022), and equivalent booking periods in 2021 and 2020. Reservation data in TripIt is provided by users and is booking provider agnostic.

The post TripIt Data: 4X as Many Spring Breakers Hitting the Roads and Skies in 2022 vs. 2021 appeared first on TripIt Blog.

TripIt Blog https://ift.tt/LsX4zEq

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/UTvV2Kg

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/CGEZqAm

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/uJVEetP

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/Z4F9btr

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/RyPWxd6

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/l5Dqbgi

https://ift.tt/P6E7jDJ Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs https://ift.tt/hvCK1Qu

American travelers have faced myriad headwinds during the past six months, especially during peak travel moments (like the winter holidays) and major weather events.

As a result, you’ve likely heard about widespread delays and canceled flights; unruly passengers; long lines at airport security; travelers getting stuck abroad due to positive COVID-19 tests; and even “trip stacking”—the trend where people book back-up trips in preparation for plan A going awry. 

But, do these headlines tell the whole story? Will this be the new normal of travel moving forward? 

Last month, we asked nearly 1,300 U.S.-based TripIt users to tell us about their recent (and upcoming) travel experiences. And what they told us revealed a more optimistic narrative about traveling. 

To start, Americans are continuing to return to the skies, roads, rails, and seas. Our survey data shows 72% of respondents have traveled on a flight within the U.S. in the past six months; 64% have taken a road trip with a personal car; 29% have taken an international flight; 10% have traveled by train; and 6% have sailed away on a cruise. Better yet, 97% have travel plans in the year ahead.

Here’s what else travelers said about their recent travel experiences and upcoming travel plans. 

While some travelers faced flight disruptions, most didn’t 

Of those who traveled in the past six months, more than half (60%) said they did not experience any type of flight disruption, cancellation, or delay. Just 12% of people had their flight canceled. 

And while there’s no denying there was a rise in unruly passengers in 2021, luckily only 5% of people said they encountered one while traveling.

Indeed, some travelers experienced disruptions, but most were able to get from point A to B with no trouble. 

COVID-19 testing for travel is up, canceled plans are marginal

Our data shows that nearly three-quarters of Americans have flown domestically in the past six months, and nearly a third have traveled internationally. So, how did our new travel normal—e.g., COVID-19 testing requirements; travel restrictions; proof of vaccination mandates—play out when travelers hit the road?

According to our data, of those who traveled in the past six months, 54% took a COVID-19 test—up 25% from October—and 26% used a vaccine passport app while on their trip (up 11%). 

Despite a marked increase in those taking COVID-19 tests for travel, just 4% of travelers had to reschedule or change their plans due to a positive test result. And only 2% of travelers tested (or traveled with someone who tested) positive during a trip—consistent with our previous survey data.

As for those extra cautious travelers booking plan A and plan B? Just 5% of travelers said they planned a back-up trip in case their original plans were canceled. (So… that’s a no on the trip-stacking trend.)

What effect did the Omicron variant have on recent travel? 

While 36% of travelers said their recent travel plans were not at all affected by the Omicron variant, 21% said they held off making plans due to Omicron. 

Looking at those whose travel plans were disrupted by the recent variant:

• 19% said that they rescheduled their plans, changed their destination, or made changes to planned trip activities 
• 16% said they were forced to cancel plans (due to travel restrictions, personal illness, or something else)
• 14% chose to cancel due to Omicron-related concerns 

Of those who changed or canceled a trip due to Omicron, more than two-thirds (68%) did not lose any money. For the remainder of travelers who changed or canceled plans, most (12%) lost between $100-$500.

2022 travel forecast: Air travel readiness at pandemic-era high

Looking to the year ahead, we asked travelers about the types of trips they’re planning, how they plan to get there (and when), plus how comfortable they feel given the current state of the pandemic. 

As for the types of trips being planned, 84% of people are planning a vacation, 74% plan to visit family and friends, and 43% plan to travel for business. These were the same top three reasons travelers told us back in October. 

As for how and when people are planning to travel:

• 54% said they’re planning to fly within the U.S. by March; 73% by June
• 41% said they’re planning a road trip with their own car by March; 60% by June 
• Just 16% said they’re planning to fly internationally by March; 33% by June 

While this recent data does represent a dip in international travel readiness from six months ago, this is also the first time more travelers have said they’re planning to travel domestically by plane than car in more than a year. 

Our data further reflects travelers’ positive attitudes towards flying. When we asked people how comfortable they felt going about their day-to-day lives, most people (73%) felt comfortable flying—certainly more than attending a wedding or going to the gym. 

What concerns do people have about traveling? 

Though a majority of respondents said they’re comfortable traveling by plane—only 8% said they were very uncomfortable taking a flight—some do still have concerns about the next time they travel.

According to our data, 38% of travelers said they will be concerned they might need to cancel or change their trip at the last minute due to COVID-19 requirements, restrictions, or illness. This remains consistent with survey data we released in October. 

Nearly a third (31%) said staying up to date on travel restrictions, rules, and requirements will concern them. This concern decreased slightly (down 4%) from October. And 30% of travelers said testing positive for COVID-19 and not being able to return home will be a concern. 

Despite these concerns, our data tells us that what people anticipate going awry with their future travel plans doesn’t align with the reality of travel right now. Yes, disruptions and delays are an inevitable part of travel (pandemic or otherwise), but it’s encouraging that our data shows that most travelers are not experiencing widespread delays and cancellations; encountering unruly passengers; needing to reschedule or change their plans due to a positive COVID-19 test; nor losing money on changed or canceled travel plans. 

As the pandemic evolves to an endemic phase, we expect to see traveler optimism (and bookings) continue to grow—and for concerns to continue to wane. 

Methodology: TripIt surveyed nearly 1,300 U.S.-based users to understand their recent travel experiences, as well as their travel plans for the year ahead. The survey took place in February 2022.

The post New Survey Shows Traveler Optimism, Air Travel Readiness at Pandemic-Era Highs appeared first on TripIt Blog.

TripIt Blog https://ift.tt/odx1yDz