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Travel trends: Are you a "Four-Percenter" when it comes to travel?
If you spend enough time traveling, you'll start seeing people that qualify as "Four-Percenters" -- individuals who took 3+ foreign trips in the past 3 years AND 3+ domestic trips in the past 12 months; they represent only about four percent of the US population. We call them "Four-Percenters," because they take to the air or the highways more often than the other 96% of their fellow Americans. They aren't just travelers. Rather, they are People Who Travel.
How does a Four-Percenter travel differently than the other 96% of Americans?
In general, Four-Percenters are the kind of people who --
Are YOU a Four-Percenter?
Data source: 2009 Survey of the American Consumer
How does a Four-Percenter travel differently than the other 96% of Americans?
- tend to travel independently instead of in an organized group;
- swap lost luggage stories in airline lounges or brag about frequent flier statuses;
- know every trick in the book to score an upgrade;
- offer travel tips freely (maybe too freely?);
- are likely to mistake Up in the Air for an autobiographical film;
- choose a different destination for every new trip they take;
- spend an average of $3,100 on foreign travel each year (nearly $700 more than average) and take 60% more domestic trips than other Americans.
Are YOU a Four-Percenter?
Data source: 2009 Survey of the American Consumer
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig Mar 26th 2010 3:07PM
I can't believe how many from the "all Americans" category prefer new destinations. 90% of the people I know who leave the state only do so to go to the same place they go every year (usually a specific place in Florida, Myrtle Beach, etc).
Sara Mar 26th 2010 3:39PM
Craig - I can see it, because the phrase "new destinations" can be interpreted in different ways. If you went to different beach towns in the same basic area, different resorts, different theme parks, maybe some people would consider that a different destination every year. Even though those of us seeing the world globally would not.
I'm sooo close to a four-percenter. I traveled domestically 4 times in the last year, but only twice internationally in the last 3. And one of those trips was only Canada! I need to step up my game.
Phil Mar 27th 2010 10:00AM
The one comment about booking on-line without an agent. People who book on-line are in fact using an agent, a faceless one, I get a kick out of people who say oh, we don't use travel agents...who do you think you are dealing with when you book on-line?
Phoff Mar 29th 2010 11:51AM
You're confusing what you are actually doing when booking online.
YOU are booking your choice of hotel, then YOU choose your car rental agency, and YOU pick which airline to fly, and YOU choose guided tours and itinerary. Or you call a travel agent and have that person do that work for you.
Tomtravel2 Mar 28th 2010 7:34PM
I am surprised that more four percenters book online than casual travelers. Most of the clients I served as a travel agent fit the frequent travel profile. I am a four percenter myself. Very interesting post!
tommie Mar 29th 2010 7:48AM
Yep, that would be me. Before my retirement I traveled domestically for my job. Now I'm finally getting to see the rest of the world!
Lydia Mar 29th 2010 8:01AM
I have never heard of a "four-percenter" before but my hubby and I fit the profile just about perfectly. I rarely use a travel agent and do nearly all my own booking on line with the exception of plane tickets for some of the harder to get to destinations where a travel agent can sometimes get a better price or be able to have all flight segments from different airlines on one ticket (protects you from rebooking at last minute prices if one flight is delayed). And even if I do this I have already figured out exactly which flights we want to be on to minimize jet lag. In response to Phil, if one books directly with the airline or with the hotel or with the car rental agency then they are not using a travel agent but rather an employee of these companies.
Rosedon Mar 29th 2010 8:37AM
I was surprised that "Up In The Air" was such a popular movie since it seemed to appeal to such a small group of people (apparently the "Four Percenters") of which I am a card (frequent flyer/airline) carrying member for many years.
And yes, that movie was very autobiographical, especially when George Clooney's character talked about being constantly on the move as a form of "running away".
stephanie Mar 29th 2010 11:36AM
I was surprised that "Up in the Air" was popular at all. I was very disappointed in it as well as George Clooney. But then, maybe that's because I watched it on the heels of viewing "The Blind Side" which put it and others to shame as far as a quality film.
I book my flights online because it saves the additional $20.00 per ticket booking fee that most airlines charge when you book directly with them. Took me about 10 mins to book a flight for three last week and I saved $60.00.
gposner29 Mar 29th 2010 9:19AM
Travelling today is insane. The incredible hassle going and coming....the attitudes towards American tourists....the cost......the safety concerns.....better to visit, if you must travel at all, AMERICAN DESTINATIONS...Beware of lumpy women wearing long black robes and burkas covering all but their eyes. It appears either they have nothing to live for, or, have been brainwashed or threatened to do someone else's bidding...ie.. pawns. Who needs that crap?
Sam Crothers Mar 29th 2010 10:51AM
Get a life. You've probably never been out of your town, let alone state. Traveling to other countries is one of the most enriching experiences a person can have. I have been traveling to other countries at least 3 times a year for the past 25 years and feel safer in many countries that I do in many US cities and this includes countries like Columbia, Vietnam and Suriname. Stop letting fear control your life. A life where safety is your only concern is barely worth living.
JD Mar 29th 2010 10:12AM
You really need to understand that there is a fundamental difference between "vacation" and "travel". A vacation is seen by many as time off from their jobs or school, etc. and to wind down from the stress of life. Travel, on the other hand is for its own sake. Americans are so provincial and backwards regarding travel; that's what's unbelievable here. I almost never go to a place I've been before. Why would I? I've already been there and done that. The world is 25,000 miles in diameter and has too much area for anyone to see and experience in an entire lifetime, but I've been trying since I took my first flight back in 1955 at two years old.
I also attend some of those "once in a lifetime" events. I was in Moscow for the 1980 Olympics, the year the US boycotted them over Afghanistan (Now we're there, what a laugh!). I flew to Berlin in 1989 when the Wall came down to join in the revelry. I was in Hong Kong on July 1st, 1997, when the red army marched in and took possession back from Prince Charles. I celebrated the millennium new year's eve on Fiji, then jumped aboard a flight to Rarotonga, landing at 2:pm on December 31st (crossing the International dateline) and celebrated it again at midnite there.
I've been to Machu Picchu, I've snow skied and been in a sleet storm on the volcanic top of Hawaii's main island. I've sat in the Mayan throne at and climbed to the top of the Mayan pyramid at Uxmal. I've been on photo safaris in Africa. I've been SCUBA diving in five of the seven seas. and on and on and on. This planet and many of its people, plants and animals are miraculous to see and share experiences with.
I ask again, "Why would anyone want to go to the same place twice"?
cbc Mar 29th 2010 11:05AM
You sound like a lot of travelers I meet: totally self-absorbed, intent on racking up "experiences", so that you can then feel smug bragging about them. The ultimate:
"I celebrated the millennium new year's eve on Fiji, then jumped aboard a flight to Rarotonga, landing at 2:pm on December 31st (crossing the International dateline) and celebrated it again at midnite there."
You flew to a Pacific island to celebrate an arbitrary "event", then flew across an arbitrary line in the ocean to celebrate the same arbitrary "event" on a different Pacific island. You could have done the same thing by driving from Bowden, Georgia to Ranburne, Alabama.
I'd bet the people you meet at each of your "experiences" are glad you won't be coming back.
AlB Mar 29th 2010 1:06PM
JD,
Enlighten me, but please don't disappoint me.
"...celebrated the millennium new year's eve on Fiji..." Please don't tell me you did it in 1999 since the new millennium didn't start until 31 Dec 2000, the eve of the 21st century.
1999 to 2000 had nothing to do with the millennium it was a computer bug on date storage.
ALB Mar 29th 2010 1:24PM
"Why would anyone want to go to the same place twice"?
The answer to that is simple. To see how life has changed there. What it was like in a single point in time is not the reality of life by any stretch of the imagination.
Annette Mar 29th 2010 2:00PM
It sounds like you have had a wonderful life so far traveling JD.....
barbizon Mar 29th 2010 2:24PM
Even thought I'm a "four-percenter," I agree SO much with CBC's statements about self-absorbed travelers who rack up "experiences" to brag about. I love to travel, although I also love to return to the same place because I NEVER feel that I've "been there, done that" - there's always something new to see.
MM Mar 29th 2010 12:13PM
I love traveling eith my fmily every year to Walt Disney World.....what a great trip. Well worth the time and expense. I highly recommend it.
patti Mar 29th 2010 12:25PM
My hubby is one of those 4 percenters. Maybe even "two" percenters, as he travels for work and normally spends AT LEAST 12 weeks a year on foreign soils. Asia and Europe are more common, but in the last 3 years, he's also been to Turks & Caicos, South America, Central America and Australia. While he needs a passport for Canada and Mexico, we don't count those. He also travels domestically, probably once per month.. he's been to every state, too. He doesn't like to travel, either, but it's part of his job. So he collects all the airline miles, and I, who LOVE to travel, get to spend them..
Finally gonna splurge and go first class for the first time on a transcontinental flight.. I may just decide I won't go back to coach!!
Billyt Mar 29th 2010 12:41PM
With more than 6 million miles on one major US airline, dozens of domestic trips and at least a once a month trip internationally every year, I am the consumate "4 Percenter". But is is what I do and I enjoy. I always book online and distinctly dislike getting behind the 96 Percenters in TSA and security lines- as I know that they will clog up the queue instantly. We can get onto airplanes quickly, store our luggage, and be seated so as to allow timely takeoffs. Consider the bulk of people boarding airplanes all over the country this Easter weekend- it is chaos!!