Paycheck-to-Paycheck Vacationers Seize on Travel Discounts

As budget-strapped consumers look for ways to afford travel this summer, many are seeking discounts for everything from airfare to attractions.

Paycheck-to-paycheck consumers want to get out of dodge. PYMNTS Intelligence’s “Summer Travel Special Report,” which drew from a survey of more than 2,200 United States consumers, examined consumers’ travel plans for the season. The results revealed that 65% of those who live paycheck to paycheck with no issues paying their bills and 44% of paycheck-to-paycheck individuals who do have issues making ends meet plan to travel at least once this summer.

As consumers look for ways to do so, tourism and travel companies are stepping up their discounts to appeal to these financially constrained spenders. Bargain-spotting and travel tip blogs highlight dozens of ways that people can get discounts to go to popular attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios.

Retail giants Walmart and Amazon are also stepping up deals for travelers, with the former’s “largest savings event ever” having ended Thursday (July 11) and the latter’s blockbuster Prime Day event beginning Tuesday (July 16). According to Yahoo, Walmart’s event included 70% off weekender bags and 55% off luggage sets, among other travel-focused deals.

In a news release announcing the event, the retailer highlighted its paid members’ adoption of its travel bookings offerings, Walmart+ Travel, during its Walmart+ Week. PYMNTS Intelligence research from the study “Walmart+ Week 2024 Report” found that a disproportionate share of Walmart+ subscribers who purchased travel services signed up to the membership specifically for the deals event, suggesting that these vacationers were actively seeking out those benefits.

Amazon, meanwhile, is touting its own travel deals for Prime Day. The company highlighted in a blog post Thursday the availability of 30% off Southwest Airlines flights and SIXT rental cars during the deals event as well as discounts on Viator travel experiences and on Turo vehicles. Additional vacation offers during the event include savings on Avis rentals and Carnival Cruise Line experiences.

Prime Day offers have considerable reach. The PYMNTS Intelligence report “Summer Deal Days 2023: How Amazon Still Dominates” found that 40% of consumers made purchases during Prime Day last summer, compared to 20% during Walmart+ Week.

Additionally, travel companies are beginning to think about how to continue to attract budget-constrained consumers as the summer rush dies down. On Tuesday (July 9) and Wednesday (July 10), JetBlue was offering 25% off flights for the fall — those between Sept. 7 and Nov. 20 — to keep travel spending going in the slower period that follows the summer spike but precedes the holidays.

As the summer season unfolds, the competition among retailers and travel companies to attract budget-conscious vacationers continues. With a range of discounts and special offers, these businesses are not only catering to the immediate travel needs of paycheck-to-paycheck consumers but also strategizing for continued engagement beyond the peak travel period. By capitalizing on short-term savings events and offering extended discounts into the fall, companies aim to maintain momentum and capture the loyalty of these travelers, ensuring that the allure of affordable adventures remains strong throughout the year.

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