Cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms appear to be key factors in Americans who are planning to travel more this year, spending more and staying longer, according to an AOL travel survey released Friday, April 30th.
Savvy, cost conscious travelers will be prioritizing value in deciding when and who to travel with. Getting the most for their travel dollars is a top priority, according to the people surveyed.
Some of the positive indicators of traveling increasing this year include:
67 percent of the 1,000 Americans responding to an AOL online survey said they expect to spend more than $1,000 on a trip, a five percent increase over 09.
Almost 55 percent expect to take more than one vacation, four percent more than a year ago.
Fewer people are planning shorter trips.
Some of the indicators of how important getting the maximum value for their travel dollars are:
Almost 50 percents of people responding to the poll said they plan on cashing in their air miles this year vs. 31 percent in 09.
More people said that they would be flexible with their departure and return dates, as well as be more willing to fly during non peak times and take connecting flights in order to save money.
75 percent said that a free breakfast could influence which hotel they stay at.
67 percent said that baggage and food fees could impact which airline they select.
Security remains a top priority of travelers. Less than 25 percent of the people surveyed indicated they were concerned about body scanners.
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