Higher prices shaping travel plans: survey

More than 1,000 people responded to an affordability survey. See what they’re cutting first, from dining out to vacations.

The midterm election put a spotlight on what Texans are paying day to day. Rising costs have been at the center of NBC 5 Responds’ ongoing reporting on affordability. Over two weeks in September, we asked our audience to answer a few questions about affordability. We received more than 1,000 responses.

Read on for how higher prices are affecting more than just the essentials.

‘DO YOU REALLY NEED THIS?’

Courtney Garner Lewis of Fort Worth said she’s financially comfortable, but she’s thinking about what she spends in a way she didn’t before.

“It's getting my attention for things that I didn't normally pay that much attention to,” said Lewis. “I'm starting to notice the cost.”

That means reconsidering the extras.

“When I look at things like dining out, clothing, vacations, it's more of a thing. Do you really need this? Is it really worth the money? On vacations, we're not taking extravagant vacations. Like last year, we went to Italy. This year, we're not going to Italy,” Lewis said.

TRIMMING TRAVEL

Travel kept coming up in our non-scientific audience survey about affordability.

When we asked our audience what, if anything, they’re cutting back on because of higher prices, 76% of respondents said dining out, 63% said travel or vacations, 60% said entertainment. Fifty-one percent said groceries.

When we asked what they’ve delayed or skipped altogether, 59% of respondents said travel.

HOLIDAY TRIP PRICES

“We're seeing airfare up anywhere from 20% to 30%. That's been true all year because of higher jet fuel prices, but we've seen bag fees go up, we’ve seen redemption costs go up. If you want to use your points, those costs have gone up. So have hotel costs. It's really inflationary across the board right now,” said Clint Henderson, managing editor at The Points Guy.

Henderson said he expects airfares to keep rising for the winter holiday season. He recommends booking when others may not want to travel, like on the day of the holiday. He said to avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Christmas.

“If you can be flexible to your dates at all, maybe spend an extra day at home for the holidays or leave a few days earlier than you normally would have, you can save hundreds of dollars that way,” Henderson said.

Lewis said she’s looking beyond her next trip. She said the changes she’s made to her spending are here to stay.

“Diesel affects everything because everything is transported by diesel. So just kind of the crystal ball that I see? I don't think it's going to change. I think those adjustments will just have to be permanent," Lewis said.