Road trips? Out. Cruises? In.

Delaying travel? Out. Finally taking that vacation? In.

Traveling unprotected? Out. Buying travel insurance? In.

These are the trends revealed by Allianz Partners’ new Travel Pulse survey*, conducted by interviewing Allianz customers in the spring of 2022.

The survey shows that people are eager to get away from home. A majority of people — 60% — said they planned to travel in the next one to four months, with 21% intending to take a trip in the next month.

Where are Americans traveling this summer?

Domestic destinations remain popular, although many travelers are also heading to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. COVID-19 testing is no longer required for re-entry into the United States, although special requirements remain in place for many overseas destinations.¹ Get the latest info on current travel rules and restrictions for global destinations in our  interactive map.

The Travel Pulse survey offered some insight into where summer travelers are headed:

• 46% of travelers are staying within the continental US
• 27% plan to visit Europe
• 16% are going to Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii
• 5% are visiting Canada

What are summer travelers’ biggest concerns?

Many travelers are worried about COVID throwing a wrench in their travel plans yet again.

• 37% of respondents worried about another COVID spike causing travel issues/delays
• 24% were concerned about testing positive for COVID before or during their trip
• 7% cited more expensive food and entertainment
• 6% said higher fuel prices

These and other concerns are spurring people to protect their summer vacations with travel insurance. 90% of survey respondents said they were extremely or somewhat likely to purchase trip protection for their next trip.

When you’re worried about things going wrong on your trip, travel insurance can provide peace of mind. Have to cancel last-minute for a covered reason? Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse you for your non-refundable, prepaid trip costs. Experience an illness or injury while traveling? Emergency medical benefits can reimburse your covered medical costs.

Learn more about the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic.

How are Americans traveling this summer?

Flying remains the top choice, despite steep increases in airfare in summer 2022. According to Hopper, the average domestic airfare in May was $383 (that’s 34% higher than summer 2019) and an international flight was averaging $912.² The reasons? More expensive fuel, higher demand and lower seat capacity.

Cruising is back in a big way, too. Is it safe to cruise in 2022? Cruise lines continue stringent health and handwashing rules, while the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stopped advising travelers to avoid cruise ships.³ It’s up to each individual to determine their risk tolerance for cruising, however. You can check the COVID status of individual ships on the CDC’s site.

The Travel Pulse survey found that:

• 61% of Americans are flying to their summer destinations
• 18% chose a cruise ship as their primary mode of transportation
• 11% are driving

What are Americans doing on their summer trips?

After two years of often shunning large and/or indoor gatherings, travelers are returning to the things they love. The survey shows:

• 44% plan to go to the theater or attend a show
• 19% are going to a concert or music festival
• 15% are going to a health-focused retreat/event or visiting a theme park
• 13% plan to go to a sporting event
• 12% are attending a wedding
• 9% are attending a conference

Summer travel tips from Allianz Travel Insurance

Flexibility can help you save on airfare. Priceline CEO Brett Keller advises looking at all the options when booking a flight, like choosing smaller regional airports and allowing some wiggle room for your departure and return dates.⁴

Expect travel delays. Staffing shortages and high demand are forcing many airlines to cancel flights.⁵ Did you know that plans with SmartBenefits® can automatically pay you $100 per insured person, per day, if you experience a covered travel delay or baggage delay (up to the maximum no-receipts limit)? No receipts are required — just proof of the delay.

Don’t procrastinate when purchasing travel protection. Are you among the 60% of travelers who are intending to go somewhere in the next one to four months? Then you need to get travel insurance as soon as you book that trip. The sooner you buy, the sooner you’re protected.

Get a quote for your summer trip.

*Methodology: This article examines results from an Allianz Partners survey of a random sample of 2,621 customers who purchased a policy through a travel advisor or other retail distribution partner between late March and mid-April 2022. The survey ran from April 25, 2022 to May 5, 2022, and asked questions about purchasing behavior and summer travel plans. A trip was defined as at least two nights away at a destination 100 miles or more from home.

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