Luggage Forward, the exclusive luggage delivery provider for many of the world’s leading travel brands, today announced findings from its 2026 Retiree Travel and Retirement Preferences survey, revealing that 64% of retirees aren’t slowing down on travel. They’re just getting smarter about where they go and how they get there.
Gathering insights from over 1,000 U.S. citizens, aged 55+, the survey found that 93% of older Americans retired on or ahead of schedule, freeing them up for more leisure time. That time will be spent traveling, with 47% planning to take one to two trips a year and another 30% taking three to five.
More time, more travel and more reasons not to wait
Retiree wanderlust is accelerating. Sixty-seven percent of retirees are traveling as much or more than they did five years ago, thanks to more free time (73%) and more money (45%). However, for many there’s a deeper urgency at play, citing depreciating health (16%) and end of life approaching (50%) as motivators.
Two things are slowing down older Americans’ travel plans: uncertainty surrounding the economy and the airline industry. Rising costs and increased safety concerns at airports and abroad have shelved travel plans for 39% and 29% of respondents, respectively. Respondents with budget and safety concerns are instead opting for road trips (70%), cruises (46%) and all-inclusives (45%).
Domestic destinations win over international vacations…
Retirees are exploring trips closer to home, with 13% choosing U.S. destinations over international trips (12%). In particular, Honolulu (48%), Charleston (35%) and New Orleans (32%) ranked highest for where retirees will spend their vacations.
Retirees overall seem weary of traveling overseas. Nearly seven in 10 respondents aren’t considering international travel in the next year. The top reasons are cost (51%), safety concerns and geopolitical uncertainty (48%), domestic travel preference (40%) and anti-American sentiment overseas (34%).
…But international reigns as ideal retirement location
Here’s the twist: International travel may be losing traction, but retirement abroad is picking up steam. One in five retirees is open to or actively looking into relocating outside of the U.S. For almost-retirees, more than double (44%) are open to or actively seeking destination retirements outside of America.
The appeal is as much practical as it is aspirational: access to better healthcare, lower costs of living, a better quality of life and a favorable climate. For future retirees facing increasing financial pressure, retirement abroad may also be a way to make their savings go further. More than a quarter (27%) say they expect to work longer than anticipated before retiring. Europe (specifically, Spain and Greece) leads the wish list for retirees and future retirees, followed by the Caribbean.
Also high on the list are cruises, with 18% of retirees confirming interest in a long-term cruise (weeks or months), and almost double (32%) of future retirees confirming interest.
“The results show that retirees are becoming more intentional about their travel plans in lieu of abandoning them completely,” said Audrey Kohout, co-CEO of Luggage Forward. “Travel remains one of the top rewards of retirement, but retirees are no longer planning trips on autopilot. They’re making deliberate choices about where to go and even where to retire, balancing their desire to see the world with concerns about affordability, safety and long-term financial security.”
Methodology
The Propeller Insights survey commissioned by Luggage Forward surveyed 1,000+ U.S. citizens, aged 55+, in May 2026. Survey responses were representative of the U.S. population for age, gender, region and ethnicity. The maximum margin of sampling error was +/- 3.0 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
About Luggage Forward
Luggage Forward was born out of the simple idea that travelers should enjoy the journey as much as the destination. We set out to replace waiting at the baggage carousel with more vacation time by shipping luggage and gear from doorstep to destination. Nearly two decades later and countless bags shipped around the world, convenience is still core to everything we do. We are proud to be the leading global provider of door-to-door luggage and sports equipment delivery.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260629666572/en/
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