AARP: adults 50+ use AI to cut travel costs

AARP said March 10 that adults 50 and older are using artificial intelligence more often to plan trips and cut costs, adding a new technology angle to a travel market already shaped by higher fares and persistent budget pressure. The group’s 2026 Travel Trends report found that 64% of adults 50-plus expect to travel this year, and many say they are leaning on comparison shopping, rewards programs and AI tools to stretch their spending. AARP said the share using AI to find travel deals doubled to 16% from 8% a year earlier. The findings were published in a research report and a separate press release, then picked up in local television coverage on May 16. ### How much are older travelers actually using AI? AARP said 16% of adults 50-plus now use AI tools to find travel deals, up from 8% in the prior year. The organization described that as a doubling in one year, tying the increase to a broader push by older travelers to make “smarter decisions” as they plan 2026 trips. (aarp.org) Carey Kyler, senior director of consumer insights at AARP Services, said in the press release that adults 50-plus are “finding creative ways to keep exploring,” including “turning to AI for smarter trip planning.” AARP did not name specific AI products in the release, but said the tools are being used as part of deal hunting and budget management. (aarp.org) ### What did AARP say these travelers are trying to save on? AARP said cost remains the biggest barrier for older travelers in 2026. About 45% are concerned about high airfare, while 39% cited cost overall, including 49% of respondents with annual income under $100,000, according to the press release. (aarp.org) The same release said 89% of adults 50-plus shop for bargains and more than half used loyalty rewards or discounts on recent trips. In the research report, AARP said travelers are adapting by planning earlier, comparison shopping and using digital tools to stretch travel dollars rather than cutting travel altogether. (aarp.org) ### Is this part of a broader shift in how older adults use travel technology? AARP’s October 2024 research found 89% of travelers age 50-plus had used technology in planning and research, 87% in booking and 80% during travel. That earlier report was not limited to AI, but it showed older travelers were already comfortable using digital tools well before the 2026 travel survey. (aarp.org) The 2024 study also found 85% of respondents were excited about technology’s potential to save them money, while 77% said it could save time. At the same time, AARP said some older travelers remained wary of fraud, data theft and the number of digital tools available. ### How big is travel spending among adults 50 and older? (aarp.org) AARP said adults 50-plus spend more than $236 billion annually on leisure travel. The group also said travel remains a top discretionary spending priority for 86% of adults in that age group. The 2026 survey found older adults took an average of 4.2 trips in 2025, above the 3.6 they had originally planned, and expect to take 3.9 trips in 2026. (aarp.org) More than half of their 2026 trips were already booked or planned by the end of 2025, AARP said. ### How was the survey conducted? AARP’s research report said the study was based on an online survey conducted from Nov. 11 to Dec. 15, 2025, covering 2,051 U.S. adults age 18 and older who met travel-related screening criteria. (aarp.org) The report said results were weighted to represent U.S. travelers defined in the screener by age cohort. AARP’s press release described the annual Travel Trends survey as having a sample of 1,189 respondents focused on adults 50-plus. The two AARP documents present different sample descriptions, but both identify the March 10, 2026 findings as part of the organization’s annual travel trends research. (aarp.org) ### Where can readers find the next official update? AARP said its annual Travel Trends findings are published through its research and press channels, where the full March 10, 2026 report and release remain posted. The organization’s travel pages also continue to publish related guidance, discounts and destination coverage for adults 50 and older. (aarp.org)