A new study from AAA and Bread Financial, a tech-based financial services company, finds that many people want to take milestone trips in 2026. The research finds that 61% of Americans plan to travel in 2026, and among those travelers, more than three-quarters (76%) say their trips will be planned around important life milestones, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations.
AAA and Bread Financial conducted an online survey of 1,714 U.S. respondents ages 18 and older from Dec. 15-17, 2025, who plan to travel this year for personal occasions. The study finds that Gen Z and Millennials are leading this shift, approaching these trips with greater intention as they balance showing up for big moments with thoughtful planning and financial confidence.
According to the survey, traveling to celebrate a birthday (32%) is the most popular milestone trip this year, followed by family reunions (30%), friends’ milestones (29%), anniversaries (22%) and weddings (19%). Other travel-worthy events include graduations (12%), honeymoons (10%) and fitness competitions, such as marathons or fun runs (7%).
While plans to travel in 2026 are consistent across generations (60% of Gen Z, 63% of Millennials, 60% of Gen X and 61% of Baby Boomers), traveling for milestone events is more prevalent among younger generations. Almost 9 in 10 Gen Z and Millennial survey respondents who plan to travel in 2026 say they will plan their trips around milestone events, compared with just 57% of Baby Boomers and 71% of Gen X.
“As families spread out and friends move, travel has become an essential way to stay connected, especially for younger generations,” says Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “It’s inspiring to see how travelers are thoughtfully planning their trips around life’s most meaningful celebrations.”
AAA also reports that connections outweigh convenience for travelers this year, even when it’s complicated. Two in five respondents (40%) report that traveling to attend milestone events helps them reconnect with people they haven’t seen in a long time, while one-third (33%) say these trips strengthen friendships.
However, traveling with friends and family for milestone events can be stressful, and 59% of travelers report they have faced tension or had an argument with a travel partner. This may impact how far people are willing to travel for special occasions.
Results from the survey indicate that travelers are deliberately managing milestone travel to minimize challenges, using travel advisors, planning tools and loyalty programs, along with innovative payment options to optimize travel experiences.
Nearly half (46%) of respondents say they have relied on a travel advisor to help plan trips. Debit cards (52%), personal savings (51%) and credit cards (48%) are the most common ways people are paying for travel in 2026, but younger travelers are more likely to mix payment methods to manage costs. This includes Buy Now Pay Later options, gift cards, vouchers, travel credits and employer stipends as well as loyalty programs.
Budget transparency is common, especially when traveling with others. Almost half of respondents who travel with groups or couples’ trips (46%) say they are transparent about budgets and expenses with travel partners, while 13% say they tend to handle their own finances privately. When it comes to protecting their trips, most travelers (71%) indicate that they have previously purchased travel insurance for their trips, most commonly for hotel or rental costs, baggage and emergency medical coverage.
“Traveling for milestone moments is about more than just being there, it’s about making those moments count,” says Valerie Greer, chief commercial officer of Bread Financial. “With younger generations leading the charge, we’re seeing a shift toward intentional travel that balances celebrating life’s biggest events with smart financial planning.”
