Bill Hornbuckle, the CEO of MGM Resorts International, which operates Las Vegas icons like the MGM Grand, Luxor and the Bellagio, had some words of apology to shareholders on their recent quarterly earnings call:
“We lost control of the narrative over the summer … whether it was the infamous bottle of water or a Starbucks coffee of Excalibur that cost $12, shame on us” (1).
Must Read
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
- Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year — and he begs investors not to miss its ‘explosion’
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
That infamous bottle of water cost $26, as reported on View From The Wing (2). As travel writer Gary Leff pointed out on that blog, “I would think, though, that a $36.28 per night resort fee (inclusive of tax) might be high enough to offer a single bottle of water as one of its inclusions. I guess not!”
Vacations have become eyewateringly expensive
Las Vegas had a particularly bad summer in 2025 for reasons including visitors from Canada staying home to protest President Donald Trump’s tariffs and Spirit Airlines cutting arrivals as part of an ongoing bankruptcy restructuring (3). But Las Vegas isn’t alone in its woe as the cost of vacationing has ballooned since the end of the pandemic.
The U.S. Travel Association estimates the price of goods like airfare, lodging, food and drink, as well as “recreation,” which consists of tickets to entertainments and attractions, has risen 1.9% since last year and 21.3% since 2019 (4). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that lodging away from home rose 2.3% in August and 1.3% in September, and airline fares increased 5.9% and 2.7% over the same periods respectively.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Disney vacations have become so expensive that even some Disney insiders are worried the Mouse House will soon be out of reach for most middle-class Americans (5). How expensive is expensive? If you go luxury at the resort with all the bells and whistles, for a family of three, it could set you back about $5,000. Why pretend to be Cinderella when you have to be a real-life princess to afford the glass slipper?
Trending: Approaching retirement with no savings? Don’t panic, you’re not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast)
Has the post-pandemic travel fever broken?
Have people had enough?
The U.S. Travel Association, in its Fall 2025 Travel Forecast, notes that “consumer uncertainty remains significant, and if broader economic conditions deteriorate travel is likely to decrease as well” (6). Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi says the risk of a U.S. recession in 2026 is an “uncomfortably high” 48% (7).
On the other hand, the Travel Association also says that “consumer sentiment shows concern about inflation and general economic conditions, but Americans continued to prioritize travel.”
The travel bug that bit Americans in 2021, as travel restrictions were lifted, bit deep.
Separate studies by The Points Guy (8) and Beach.com (9) show that even though some people are pulling back on travel spending in 2025, the majority of Americans either plan to spend as much or more on travel as they did last year. But the K-shaped economy means fewer, more wealthy travelers are buying up the luxury experiences, and the rest of us are driving the family to our closest state or national park.
According to Beach.com, more than two-thirds of Americans are getting creative with their travel plan, with 72% opting for road trips and 61% planning staycations. Americans continue to prioritize travel likely because experiences beat possessions, and memories share well online. There is also a widespread feeling that travel supports mental health, friendships and careers, offering perspective and purpose that justify costs, even when prices rise for travelers.
Getting the most out of your travel dollar
The best place to start looking for affordable getaways is online. If you need to fly, Google Flights is a good place to start pricing out options. Its calendar, date grid and price graph gather data from airlines’ websites directly. It doesn’t sell tickets and will route you to the airline at checkout.
For a more scenic trip, Amtrak’s Share Fares and everyday discounts are good for groups and families who want to explore the U.S. without hours behind the wheel. Amtrak reaches many Western gateway towns, then buses or park shuttles take you the last miles. For example, the Empire Builder line stops at West Glacier and East Glacier Park for Glacier National Park in Montana, and Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are also accessible by connecting rail routes.
The ‘Great American Roadtrip’ might experience a renaissance next summer, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects gasoline prices to fall (to below $3.00 per gal) in 2026. If you haven’t yet, consider some of the classics, including the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs from Rockfish Gap, Virginia, and ends near Cherokee, North Carolina, and the Pacific Coast Highway, from Port Townsend, Washington, to San Diego, California.
What to read next
- Here’s why wealthy investors are pouring millions into this 1 US asset class — and how to quickly copy the move while there’s still time
- Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
- Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich — and ‘anyone’ can do it
- 22 US states are already in a recession — protect your savings with these 10 essential money moves ASAP
Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Yahoo Finance (1); View From the Wing (2); Simple Flying (3); U.S. Travel Association (4), (6); Wall Street Journal (5); @Markzandi/X (7); The Points Guy (8); Beach.com (9)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.