I Asked ChatGPT To Plan a $5K Vacation — Then Had a Financial Planner Review It
How effective is AI at planning the perfect trip?
Growing numbers of travelers use generative AI for travel planning worldwide. More than half (51%) of global travelers have used AI for travel research, while 49% used it to organize their itinerary, according to a report from travel platform Klook.
Fly Faster: 3 Ways Credit Card Rewards Will Let You Travel Free or Cheap
Try It: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking
To test whether they're getting the best deals, we created a scenario, prompted ChatGPT and then asked Beverlyn Fleming of Best Ever Vacations with BEV what she thought of the generative AI’s suggestions, and what she would do differently.
The Travel Prompt
The prompt was a 318-word synopsis that included who’s traveling, the dates, the duration, our budget and some preferences.
The fictional travelers were a 65-year-old, active, retired married couple looking for a seven- to 10-day trip in a walkable U.S. city, preferably near a beach. They were leaving from the New York Metro area and had a $5,000 budget.
ChatGPT’s Travel Recs
ChatGPT started by offering detailed options, which included St. Augustine, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina. It also mentioned Monterey and Carmel in California, but suggested staying on the East Coast to keep costs and travel time down.
Expert Response
“ChatGPT is close with their recommendations,” Fleming said. “But my brain went right to a Bar Harbor / Acadia, Maine road trip. It hits everything you’re looking for!”
ChatGPT’s Thoughts on Acadia, Maine
When I presented the idea to ChatGPT, it argued that Acadia would be “very hard under a strict $5,000 budget. Seven days is the sweet spot.”
ChatGPT mapped out an itinerary that included two nights in Portland, while Fleming said even a full week in the Bar Harbor / Acadia region isn’t enough.
Enter for a Chance To Win $500 in MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
Expert Response on Acadia Costs
Fleming said that her family recently traveled to Acadia with five people and two dogs for one week and didn’t even approach a $5,000 budget.
She suggested the couple could reduce costs by taking a road trip instead of flying, but even with airfare and a rental car, two people could spend nine days in Acadia for just around $5,000.
“Any more than that, you’d need to either really budget your food or stay at a campground outside of Acadia,” she said. She didn’t recommend a campground, though, suggesting it’s better to stay in Bar Harbor or just outside the town.
Fleming recommended visiting a nice boutique hotel in Bar Harbor or just outside of town, buying America the Beautiful senior passes for daily access to Acadia National Park, renting e-bike, booking a whale watching tour and setting a “pretty moderate budget for food.”
ChatGPT Suggested Savannah, Georgia
ChatGPT also pushed Savannah and nearby Tybee Island, Georgia, several times during our conversation, calling it “one of the easiest places to stretch into a relaxed two weeks without feeling rushed.
“It is also one of your better bets for staying under $5,000 if you choose a nice-but-not-luxury hotel and keep the rental car only for part of the trip or the whole stay,” ChatGPT said.
Expert Thoughts on Savannah
Fleming agreed that Savannah would be a lower-cost alternative.
“You’ll get cheaper airfare and can stay in a higher-tier boutique hotel close to all shopping,” she said.
She also said the couple could splurge on a private boat charter and more upscale food while staying under the $5,000 budget.
“Savannah would be a lovely trip," she said, "but in my personal opinion, it lacks the ‘Wow’ bucket list factor. It would be a great vacation but, if I had to choose, I’d go with Acadia.”
Final Take
While ChatGPT offered a great start for brainstorming ideas, Fleming was able to share personal experiences that validated her suggestions.
“ChatGPT," she said, "lacks the ability to hunt for the hidden gems that will stretch your dollar and create the experience that you want.”
To help Americans navigate the added cost of summer, MoneyLion is giving away $1,000 every day through July 4. Enter the Summer Break Giveaway here (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: