15% of consumers plan to book through a travel agent

Results from a recent American Express Travel survey show 15% of travelers plan to book their upcoming trips through a travel agent, which 28% will book directly from online travel agencies and Websites, 19% directly from airlines, hotels and car rental companies via telephone, 16% from the Websites of airlines, hotels, car rental companies and cruise lines and 7% with tour operators.  Eight percent of Americans planning a trip will book online for the first time this season.

The survey show one in four Americans (27%) — and a third of those aged 18 to 34 (33%) — plan to take a pleasure trip before the end of the year, with many travelers seeking convenience and discounts when booking trips, and peace of mind while traveling. Americans planning to travel have budgeted an estimated $1,267 for their total holiday travel-spend, and consumers are looking to spend quality time with family and friends while making smart financial decisions to make it happen.

Large family gatherings are popular this season, according to the survey. The majority of holiday travelers plan to visit family or friends at home (57%), or take a vacation with family or friends (37%).  Most say their get- togethers will include nine or more people; 42% say they will include 12 or more.  Nine percent of responders planning to travel also plan on taking a baby or toddler along for the first time.  Supporting the desire to spend holiday time with loved ones, more than a third (36%) say they are considering helping to pay for a family member’s or friend’s travel expenses this holiday season.

Financial planning, trip costs and payment are top of mind for consumers booking holiday travel. Travelers are deciding how to book travel primarily based on price (33%), discounts and deals (23%), trumped only by convenience (37%).   “Not budgeting wisely” was cited as the biggest money related worry (30%).  Forty-five percent prefer using credit or charge cards to pay for travel expenses, and one in four travelers (26%) plan to use reward points earned by using credit cards to pay for some or all of the costs incurred.  A majority (58%) would consider or plan to purchase a prepaid product to make travel easier and safer.

Although the majority will stay with family and friends (55%), nearly 4 in 10 of those planning to travel will stay at a hotel, motel or resort (38%). Others will stay in either a time share property (6%), a rental home (2%) or at a bed and breakfast (2%). The vast majority (78%) will travel domestically; others will head to the Caribbean (6%), Hawaii (3%), or Europe (3%).

High gasoline prices are a concern, but most Americans planning to travel plan to keep their travel plans regardless of the price of gas (60%); just a third (36%) say they will travel less this season because of the high cost of gas.  In the West, where distances are longer, 75% say they will keep their travel plans despite high gas prices.

In planning their end-of-year holiday trips, sun and relaxation top the list of considerations (33%), followed by food and entertainment (18%), cultural attractions (16%), outdoor sports (10%), and holiday decorations (5%).