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Amex's 2025 Global Travel Trends Report lists four ways we're traveling
Bringing back a purse from Ibiza, purchased in the Dalt Vila marketplace? Or carefully packing a hand-painted ceramic mug from the Amalfi Coast? Or maybe it’s that beautiful pair of turquoise earrings made by a Navajo artisan that you purchased at Scottsdale’s Native Art Market (that last example is mine). If you’re someone who buys souvenirs to have a tangible way to remember where you travel, you’re not alone, says Amex.
According to American Express’s 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, 82 percent of Millennials and Gen Z folks and 68 percent of Gen X and Boomers that participated in the survey look for one-of-a-kind goods to remind them of their trip. While a T-shirt can shrink in the wash and tiny tchotchkes get lost, a more substantial souvenir—especially something bespoke and handcrafted—can bring pleasure each time you look at it. And it’s a great way to support the local businesses where you travel, which 73 percent of respondents said they try to do. The breakdown for purchases was 58 percent purchasing designer goods like handbags, clothing and leather items, 46 percent purchasing beauty products like perfume, makeup and skincare and 43 percent purchasing housewares like rugs, ceramics, art and furniture. Besides travelers redefining their travel mementos, three other themes arose in the Amex report.
Multi-generational travel is up, as is letting kids have a say in planning. To be fair, kids will have a better time if they make some picks. When our family went to Paris a few years ago, we created a whiteboard calendar and assigned one day to each kid to select what we did and where we ate. It can be insightful to see what they choose (you can also curate a shortlist of activities and have everyone vote). While 58 percent of Millenial and Gen Z-aged parents planned to bring extended family on vacation, only 31 percent of Gen X and Boomers intended to. And as for the perennial ethical dilemma of whether to take kids out of school for travel (the world is a classroom, right?), 72 percent of Millennials and Gen Z-aged parents surveyed were willing to do that.
More people are using credit card rewards and taking advantage of loyalty programs with airlines and hotels. Especially for international travel, 66 percent of respondents said that combining credit card rewards with other loyalty perks leads to them splurging on upgrades they wouldn’t typically pay for. However, Millennials and Gen Z are twice as likely (61 percent) as Gen X and Baby Boomers (36 percent) to use their credit card to maximize travel rewards. The breakdown across all age groups: 50 percent will use points for 2025 travel, 45 percent will choose their destination based on points and 43 percent will hold off on booking until they have enough points to cover it.
Although we’re not huge fans of generative AI, travelers are using it to find activity recommendations (40 percent), plan their budget and expenses (36 percent), translate other languages (33 percent) and get personalized trip recommendations (33 percent). Other kinds of travel apps or looking at social media to help plan the journey appeal to 80 percent of Millennials and Gen Z, and 66 percent of them say they download relevant travel apps before a trip (compared to 51 percent of Gen X and Baby Boomers). Interestingly, a lot of people will search for deals on their smartphone or tablet but then turn to a desktop computer to actually make the booking (39 percent of Millennials and Gen Z). And lest you think that travel agents aren’t busy, about 25 percent of respondents of all ages still talk to one while making bookings or adjusting them.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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