Amex: Younger Travelers Reshape Premium Travel
Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, told Skift Global Forum that Millennial and Gen Z spending on American Express rose 40% in Q2 2026 and together they account for 65% of its new customers globally; the average new U.S. Platinum cardholder is 32 and Gold is 29. A survey found 75% of millennials would take a job with fewer benefits for more travel time. Hendley said premium is shifting from a single property standard toward experiences and time value, citing AI-assisted human service and the behavior-driven Sidecar lounge. Skift noted U.S. inbound tourism fell 11% in August 2026 and 7% in July 2026.
Impact and considerations
Shifting premium-travel demographics will affect product design, loyalty benefits and channel investment for hotels, airlines and payment firms, requiring business-travel suppliers to reassess their premium positioning.
Key points
- Millennial and Gen Z spending on American Express rose 40% in Q2 2026, accounting for 65% of its new customers globally.
- The average new U.S. Platinum cardholder is 32, and Gold is 29.
- A survey found 75% of millennials would take a job with fewer benefits for more travel time.
- Hendley said premium now spans wellness-focused boutique hotels and traditional luxury alike.
- American Express uses a high-tech, high-touch model where customers can default to a human agent at any point.
- The Sidecar lounge concept was designed around short dwell times and solo or two-person travel.
- Skift noted U.S. inbound tourism fell 11% in August 2026 and 7% in July 2026.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- Skift
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 24 Sept 2026, 23:53
- Page published
- 25 Sept 2026, 00:04
- Last updated
- 24 Sept 2026, 23:53
- Original links
- Skift Feed：Decoding the New Premium Traveler (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 24 Sept 2026, 23:53