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The average American has enjoyed three ‘vacations of a lifetime,’ survey finds
The average American has enjoyed three “vacations of a lifetime” — with Hawai‘i, Rome and Paris among the top destinations.
Previously considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Americans are finding new ways to make travel a priority, with 37% believing bucket list trips are more achievable than 10 years ago.
A OnePoll.com survey of 2,000 adults conducted from Dec. 3-11, 2025 for Virgin Red’s The Points Index report found that exceptional food and drink offerings (36%) was the top criterion for millennials when discovering a trip of a lifetime, while a quarter (25%) of Gen Z consider a trip a “once in a lifetime” experience when it allows them to do activities they wouldn’t be able to do at home. The report explores how Americans use airline loyalty points to book dream vacations.
More than half of Americans (57%) are now signed up to a loyalty program, and 26%of those claim points have helped them access experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to.
The report data revealed that in 2025, Americans redeemed 13.6 billion Virgin Points, marking an 18% year-on-year rise in redemptions.
In the U.S., point-spending peaks occur during traditional holiday periods, with the biggest rise (73%) seen in November, coinciding with Thanksgiving.
The report found that over three-quarters of respondents (77%) have paid for part or the full price of a flight using loyalty points, with 33% using points for flight upgrades.
It also found that 14% would book a dream vacation to mark a milestone birthday, with 17% planning trips around special family events.
More than a third (37%) are currently in the midst of planning a big vacation, with 32% prioritizing beach and relaxation trips overseas, compared to only 14% opting for shorter getaways.
And among those who took part in the OnePoll.com study, a quarter (25%) of Gen Z prioritized activities and experiences as their main motivations for travel.
Top 10 ‘trip of a lifetime’ destinations for Americans:
- Hawai‘i, USA
- Rome, Italy
- Paris, France
- Venice, Italy
- Tokyo, Japan
- Sydney, Australia
- Alaska, USA
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Barcelona, Spain
- Cairo, Egypt
This story was produced by Virgin Red and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
