74% of US Travelers Plan Trips With AI, Amadeus Finds

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. travelers, or 74 percent, use artificial intelligence tools during their trip planning process, but consumer trust drops sharply when automated assistants transition from offering suggestions to spending money. While 85 percent of travelers say the technology saves time, only 20 percent permit an AI assistant to execute purchases autonomously within a set budget. [1]

Where are travelers using AI across the booking journey?

Travelers actively deploy artificial intelligence tools during both discovery and active transit stages. According to the Amadeus report titled Tailored Horizons, 74 percent of U.S. travelers use AI during the planning stage to identify hotels, travel routes, and ground transportation options [[1], [3]]. Hotel Business reported that 53 percent turn to algorithmic tools for inspiration, while 49 percent rely on digital tools during their trips for real-time information such as navigation, flight updates, weather alerts, and local options [3]. Overall, 85 percent of respondents agree that these digital utilities streamline trip organization and supply personalized suggestions [[1], [3]].

Why does consumer trust decline at the payment stage?

Consumer willingness to rely on artificial intelligence evaporates when financial transactions take place without human supervision. Asian Hospitality reported that 65 percent of travelers express interest in completing bookings and payments directly inside an AI assistant [1]. However, only 20 percent allow an AI tool to spend funds on their behalf within a set budget without requiring manual approval [[1], [3]].

Hesitation remains widespread among prospective guests. Amadeus found that 43 percent of travelers allow automated spending only under specific conditions or restrictions [1]. Meanwhile, 29 percent refuse to allow automated spending under any circumstances [[1], [3]]. Rajiv Rajian, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for the Americas at Amadeus, observed that while digital systems help simplify options, travelers insist on reassurance and final control over purchasing decisions [1].

What personal data are guests willing to share with digital tools?

Travelers share private details selectively, weighing perceived utility against data sensitivity. Travelers exchange information primarily to uncover better prices or deals, cited by 55 percent of respondents [1]. In addition, 51 percent share details to save time during booking, and 46 percent exchange data to receive better recommendations [[1], [3]].

As outlined in the data reported by Asian Hospitality and Hotel Business, comfort levels drop precipitously when platforms request financial and identity records [[1], [3]]. While 63 percent share general travel preferences and 58 percent reveal budget limits, only 21 percent provide payment details, and just 19 percent release identity information [[1], [3]].

How often do travelers verify automated recommendations?

Travelers do not accept automated outputs at face value, opting instead to validate claims across third-party websites. Nearly nine in 10 travelers cross-check AI suggestions before completing a booking [[1], [3]]. Specifically, 42 percent always visit external travel portals to verify suggestions, 47 percent do so occasionally, and only 11 percent rely solely on automated outputs [1].

Personalization shortfalls explain part of this skepticism. Sixty-four percent of travelers report that systems recommend familiar destinations rather than introducing fresh options [[1], [3]]. Even so, algorithmic discovery delivers positive surprises: 43 percent encountered impressive travel suggestions multiple times, and 26 percent saw them at least once [[1], [3]]. When evaluating feature utility, 55 percent value post-arrival local guidance most, followed by 52 percent for budget-aware ideas, and 49 percent for real-time rebooking [1].

Who do travelers turn to when disruptions occur?

When travel interruptions happen, travelers bypass automated interfaces and seek human intervention. Only 7 percent of respondents prefer resolving travel emergencies through conversational bots or digital assistants [[1], [3]]. Instead, 37 percent favor phone support, and 25 percent choose in-person assistance [1].

This reliance on live staff shapes planning habits as well. Only 17 percent of travelers trust an AI assistant alone to plan an entire trip, whereas 51 percent prefer blending artificial intelligence capabilities with human expertise [[1], [3]]. Jay Richmond, vice president of solutions consulting at Amadeus, noted that traveler personalization requires systems that grasp context while leaving users in command [[1], [3]]. In parallel findings from Amadeus, hotel and venue sales teams cited generating qualified leads and standing out in competitive markets as primary challenges heading into 2026, with rapid response times dictating group sales success [1]. Half of all surveyed travelers expect hospitality brands to offer digital assistants at no extra charge, with just 4 percent believing the service warrants premium pricing [[1], [3]].