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Summer travel plans are up 17% from last year, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, as more than two-thirds (69% vs. 59% in 2012) of consumers plan to get away in the next three months.  Affluent consumers are leading the way, with 81% (vs. 73% in 2012) hitting U.S. roads and skies, and 38% (up from 29%) heading to international destinations.  With more summer travel trips on the horizon, many Americans expect to spend more too. Thirty-one percent of travelers plan to spend more than $1,000 per person on their summer adventures (up from 27% in 2012) with the total expected summer travel spend averaging $1,145 per person.

Sixty-nine million Americans will attend one or more weddings this year, and they expect to spend 59% more than last year, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker. Guests are anticipating a cost of $539 per wedding, and most of that budget will go towards travel ($167), treating themselves to some new apparel and accessories ($161), and the couple’s wedding gift ($108).

Fifteen percent of Americans, or approximately 35 million people, expect to move in 2013, a 50% increase from last year.

Americans are earmarking an average of $239 per person this year to spend on Valentine’s Day gifts, entertainment, dinning out and weekend getaways, up from $196 last year, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker.

February 2012 Survey >>

More Americans (39% vs. 35% in 2012) say they are financially “optimistic” going into 2013, while 10% (vs. 6%) report they are “unconcerned,” according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker.

With just a few weeks left in the annual Holiday shop-a-thon, 86% of holiday shoppers still have more to buy (down from 91% the same time last year), according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker.

January 2012 Survey >>