Hey Reader,

Both Skyscanner and Global Hotel Alliance, in partnership with Skift, recently released their 2026 travel trend reports. One of the clearest themes they agree on: travelers are still spending, but they’re being more intentional about it.

Skift calls this trend selective splurging. In their joint report with GHA, they found that 34% of travelers expect to increase their travel spending in 2026, with most prioritizing better room types, more convenient locations, and personalized experiences.

Skyscanner’s findings line up. Travelers aren’t just hunting for the cheapest deal or the flashiest upgrade. They’re weighing how much value each decision adds to their trip. That shift is worth paying attention to, especially if you’re planning getaways for next year.

Selective splurging doesn’t mean blowing your budget. It means spending where it makes a real difference and skipping what doesn’t.

Travelers are leaning into upgrades that reduce stress, save time, or help them enjoy the experience more fully. It’s often the small changes that make a big impact.

Selective splurging may be a hot travel trend this upcoming year, but it's been part of our family's travel DNA for years. As a family of 6, it's a challenge to go all-in on expensive luxury vacations and getaways. But we do love to splurge on details that matter to us. We also use travel rewards to cover travel expenses when possible.

What are examples of smart splurges you can make when planning travel?
✈️ Booking direct flights
📍 Choosing walkable, central lodging
🧳 Investing in quality luggage
⏱️ Using TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR
🎧 Booking small-group or private tours
✅ Upgrading the final night’s hotel

Not all travel splurges move the needle, though. At least not for everyone. Sometimes it depends on your needs and preferences. It also depends on whether you will actually take advantage of perks when spluging. If you've ever booked a flight, hotel, or rental car, you know travel brands love to upsell before, during, and after the booking process. Their marketing teams are hard at work getting us to splurge on upgrades we may not want, need, or use.

When is splurging actually just overspending?
💸 Paying resort fees for amenities you don’t use
🚗 Renting a larger car than you need
📶 Buying Wi-Fi or insurance you already have
🧍‍♀️ Chasing elite status that goes unused
📅 Cramming in too many excursions

What are some of our favorite ways to splurge when traveling? We’ve paid for EarlyBird Check-In on Southwest flights to help our family board together. We got TSA PreCheck and CLEAR to avoid long lines after the pandemic. And when it fits, we book vacation rentals with extra space, a kitchen, or a pool to make our stay more comfortable. None of these are extravagant, and not all were wins, but some splurges have been worth every penny.

So how do you decide when to save and when to spend? There’s no perfect formula. But you can get closer to the right decision by asking yourself a few simple questions beforehand:

• Will this reduce stress or improve rest?
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• Will I actually use this?
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• Does this fit how I like to travel?
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• Have I regretted skipping this before?
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• Am I making this choice intentionally?
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You don’t need to overanalyze every booking. Analysis paralysis is real. But when you splurge, make it count.

🗳️ What travel upgrade is worth it to you?

To a life well-traveled,
Kevin

7604 Alan Pkwy, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130-6403
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