The most popular present this season? Travel - as long as you can determine how.

Instead of using headphones, fuzzy slippers, and an espresso machine that produces cold brew, forget about all of that.

According to an Amex Trendex survey, three out of four Gen Zs and millennials prefer a fun experience or trip over a physical gift this holiday season.

Consumers are planning to buy travel experiences for someone this year, according to Accenture's 18th Annual Holiday Shopping Survey published Thursday.

Giving the gift of "travel" may be more challenging than it seems.

According to Accenture's survey of over 6,050 consumers in 10 countries, the most common complaints among buyers are the need for precise booking dates (34%) and insufficient information to book on behalf of others (29%).

The report by Accenture states that complex booking processes and the large number of choices and decisions travelers have to make could result in lost revenue.

To tell — or to surprise?

To avoid the issue of those hesitant to commit to travel dates for someone else, consider surprising them with the idea of a trip and deferring the planning until later.

Our brother and I surprised our mom with a trip to Italy for her 65th birthday. We got her a Rick Steves Italy travel book, a travel purse, and printed a little "plane ticket." When she opened the gift, we explained that we would be going with her on a date to be determined but convenient for all of us.

Another Redditor shared a simple trick for obtaining dates from a recipient, which involved using a ruse on the poster's father and his wife.

It's better to plan a trip with someone and reveal the details later, rather than surprising them with the payment.

Cards and certificates

Consider purchasing a gift voucher from an airline, hotel, cruise line, or travel agency.

Gift cards can be purchased directly from a company's website, with the option of physical or virtual cards, the latter being ideal for last-minute shoppers who want the recipient to redeem them at a later date.

Delta Air Lines enables personalized gift cards with photos and offers free shipping until Dec. 13, while American Airlines allows multiple cards to be mailed to different addresses.

Marriott gift cards are available in amounts ranging from $25 to $2,000, and buyers can choose the date on which the company will email the recipients their gifts. Hilton Honors members can purchase or transfer points, which can be used to redeem free hotel stays, rental cars, or Lyft rides.

Gift cards are also available from independent hotel brands such as Naumi and Mandarin Oriental.

Royal Caribbean offers gift cards for cruise bookings, but not for pre-cruise purchases such as shore excursions, beverage packages, and internet. The company states that these options will become available in the near future.

Intrepid Travel offers gift tours for small groups, while Road Scholar sells gift certificates for educational trips for older travelers, starting from $50.

Some websites provide gift cards that aren't linked to specific brands, but customer reviews are inconsistent on these companies.

When purchasing a voucher or gift certificate, it's important to review the fine print for any restrictions. For instance, Finnair gift cards expire after one year, while Airbnb gift cards may not be available in all regions.

Buying an 'experience'

Upgrading vacation plans by buying a travel "experience" is a popular trend in travel today, rather than offsetting costs.

If someone has already planned a trip in 2025, inquire about their accommodation and check the hotel's website. Como Hotels and Resorts offers "gift experiences" in seven countries, ranging from night snorkeling in the Maldives ($128) to truffle hunting in Tuscany ($324).

The Four Seasons hotel brand offers gift cards that can be used for spa treatments, meals, and experiences, including golfing in Costa Rica or chocolate-tasting in Istanbul, and these cards can be redeemed even if you are not a guest of the hotel.

By searching for travel dates and a hotel name, you can also communicate directly with the hotel to arrange airport transfers, a special dinner, or have a bottle of Champagne delivered to your room.

On websites such as Viator and Klook, helicopter tours in Hawaii can be purchased for travelers heading there during Spring Break.

A better option for those without plans may be an experience closer to home.

A cousin studying in Paris may relish a macaron-making class, while a nephew who recently began college may appreciate a haunted pub crawl in Austin, Texas.

For grandparents seeking to embark on their own adventure, GetYourGuide offers gift cards to over 60,000 tours and attractions globally.

"There are no restrictions; simply choose an amount and let the recipient choose their ideal experience."