Kayak/ New York Post Composite See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google What will it take to get that one friend to finally commit to the group trip? More begging? A little guilt-tripping? Or, perhaps … seeing their name plastered across a huge billboard.
That’s the creative idea behind a new advertising campaign from travel booking platform KAYAK, which is giving travelers the chance to publicly call out their flakiest friends on giant digital billboards across major cities. Yes, you read that right.
The campaign touches on a frustration that many travelers can understand. New KAYAK data found that 84% of travelers have had a group trip fall apart during the planning stage, and even more shockingly — about 90% of those respondents say it’s because just one friend simply wouldn’t commit.
Despite this common challenge, traveling with friends can also be one of the most cost-effective ways to take a trip. According to KAYAK, domestic airfare is up 23% year over year, while hotel prices have climbed 3%. Splitting the cost of flights, accommodations, rental cars, and other travel expenses can help travelers save in the process.
KAYAK’s new Bookboards campaign allows anyone to nominate the person holding up their travel plans for a chance to appear on a massive digital billboard in New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles. Entering is free: simply submit your friend’s name, a custom message and a few basic details. Submissions are open through Aug. 4.
The KAYAK team says they can’t promise every submission will make the city, but affirmed it will “try to produce as many Bookboards as possible.”
Beyond the campaign, KAYAK — part of Booking Holdings — has introduced AI tools and rolled out new features designed to make group travel planning less of a headache.
Travelers can compare destinations, build itineraries around different budgets, find top-rated hotels, and discover locations that fit their group’s travel style and “vibes.” Simply feed Kayak AI a prompt explaining what you’re looking for, and they’ll take care of the rest.
KAYAK also just launched a new “Group Trip” feature that lets users filter for the most popular and cost-friendly destinations, each with average round-trip airfare and nightly hotel rates under $500. For those working on serious budgets, these features save time and energy searching.
With this summer travel campaign, KAYAK wants to help do some of the heavy lifting, so you can spend less time debating and fighting in the group chat, and more time planning and enjoying your vacation.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
