The Travel Resolutions Worth Making in 2026

While everyone else is busy promising to eat more vegetables or save every penny they earn, you’re probably scrolling through photos of beaches and mountains, dreaming about your next escape.

It’s hard to focus on regular life when your brain is already packing a suitcase for an adventure you haven’t even booked yet.

The end of 2025 isn’t just about closing a chapter; it’s the perfect time to start plotting exactly where you want to go and what you want to see when the calendar flips over.

Instead of boring goals, why not make 2026 the year you actually explore the world differently? Whether you’re the type who plans every single second or someone who just likes to wing it, setting a few travel goals can turn a good trip into an unforgettable story.

We put together a list of ten fun ways to shake things up, try stuff you’ve never done before, and make sure your passport gets the workout it deserves this year. Let’s get ready to make some serious memories.

Take Advantage of All Your Vacation Time

First things first: promise yourself right now that you will actually take your breaks this year. It sounds crazy, but tons of people let their free days disappear because they get too busy with work or school. Don’t be that person.

Those days off are yours, and you earned them, so wasting them is basically like throwing away a free ticket to fun.

Make a pact to squeeze every drop of freedom out of 2026. Whether it’s a long weekend road trip or just a random Tuesday where you sleep in and explore a new part of your city, use that time.

Life moves way too fast to spend every single day stuck in the same routine, so grab your calendar and start blocking out your escape dates now.

Fly One Airline Consistently to Reach Elite Status

Make a promise to be super loyal this year by picking one airline and sticking with it whenever you fly. Instead of jumping around for the cheapest ticket every single time, try to build up points with just one company.

It might seem like a small detail now, but staying faithful to one brand is the secret code to getting treated like a VIP later on.

By focusing your travel on a single carrier, you can earn special status much faster. This effort in 2026 could mean serious perks for 2027, like boarding the plane first, free checked bags, or even getting bumped up to better seats.

It’s basically like playing a video game where you grind for XP now so you can enjoy the cool rewards at the next level.

Turn Weekend Getaways Into a Smart Way to Use Hotel Credits

Don’t let those fancy credit card perks go to waste just because you aren’t planning a huge international vacation. If your family has a premium card, there is a good chance it comes with free money to spend on hotels, but you have to actually use it before it disappears.

Planning a quick weekend staycation is the perfect way to grab those benefits without needing a passport or a long flight.

Look for cards that offer statement credits for specific hotel bookings and plan a short trip around them. Some cards give you money back when you book a two-night stay, which basically makes your mini-vacation much cheaper.

If you combine this with other perks like credits for concert tickets or sports games, you can build an awesome weekend adventure while letting the bank pick up a big part of the tab.

Book the Most Interesting Treatment at the Hotel Spa

This year, dare to be different when you visit the hotel spa. Instead of just getting a regular massage, scroll down the menu and find the weirdest, most interesting-sounding treatment they have.

It could be anything from a massage that happens while you’re floating in water to a ceremony that uses special smoke and tuning forks to help you chill out. Trying something new is what travel is all about, right?

Not only will you get a cool story to tell, but you might even be able to pay for it with perks you already have. If you book your hotel through certain credit card programs, you often get a credit to spend at the resort.

You can usually use that free money on your wild spa adventure, making it a win-win situation. Go ahead and pick the option that makes you say, “What even is that?”