The Turbulence Test: What Travel Reveals About Your Relationship

Forget personality quizzes and astrological compatibility charts—if you really want to know whether a relationship or friendship is built to last, pack a bag and book a getaway.

With 69% of travelers saying they’d take a trip to test their relationship compatibility, Booking.com is collaborating with 9 partner hotels across the U.S. to offer experiences that reveal how well companions handle the moments that can make – or break – a trip. Think conversation starters, custom games to uncover travel “icks,” blind taste challenges, and more, customized by each property for limited-time stays beginning September 14, 2026 (see the full list below).

To shape the Turbulence Test stays, Booking.com commissioned new research to reveal the top travel “icks” among American travelers. The company also partnered with Dr. Jess Carbino, a relationship expert and renowned sociologist known for her work with popular dating apps, to unpack the findings and explore what they reveal about compatibility on the road.

While vacations are meant for relaxation, the high-pressure moments of travel often act as a truth serum for dynamics between companions. According to Booking.com’s research, the statistics speak for themselves:

Incompatibility Revealed: Over one-third (35%) of travelers report discovering that a companion wasn’t as compatible with them as they thought after taking a trip together.
Financial Frictions: An equal share (35%) have gotten into arguments over money and budgeting while away.
Make or Break: For nearly three in ten travelers (28%), a trip gone sideways led them to consider ending the relationship or friendship entirely.

From differing sleep schedules and sightseeing priorities to how someone handles a lost reservation or a tight connection, travel exposes the fine details of how two people navigate stress, compromises, and shared spaces. Rather than dreading the potential bumps along the road, travel can be an opportunity for growth and fun.

3 Tips for Surviving (and Thriving on) Your First Shared Trip

Talk Money Before You Board: With 35% of travelers arguing over expenses, have an honest conversation about budgets, split costs, and splurge items ahead of time.
Build in “Me Time”: You don’t need to be attached at the hip 24/7. Scheduling solo time during a trip gives everyone room to recharge and pursue individual interests.
Embrace the Imperfections: Delays and detours happen. Approaching travel hiccups with humor and adaptability transforms potential fights into shared memories.

Ready to Test Your Travel Compatibility? Whether you emerge closer than ever or realize your vacation vibes don’t quite match, taking a trip together is guaranteed to teach you more about each other than a hundred dinner dates ever could.

The stays: Where to take the Turbulence Test

To help travelers navigate the make-or-break moments of travel, participating properties are offering an exclusive, limited-time package on Booking.com that comes with a physical Booking.com Turbulence Test Kit. Partners will challenge each other with a travel-themed conversation deck, “Would You Rather?” dilemmas, “Red Flag / Green Flag” speed rounds, and a blindfold for taste tests, before wrapping up with a survey to get their official compatibility verdict. Paired with property-specific additions like resort credits or local excursions, it’s the ultimate way to see if you’re truly travel-compatible.

New York:

Lotte Hotel New York: This polished 4.5 star midtown hotel is offering a package inclusive of $200 F+B credits.
Nova Hotel Brooklyn : A contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Brooklyn gives guests the beloved hotel amenity of late check-out.

California:

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco: The nautical theme at this Fisherman’s Wharf District hotel sets the scene for a playful stay, with Skywheel Tickets, late check-out and an all-time favorite S’mores kit to be enjoyed in their courtyard.

Nevada:

Circa Resort & Casino – Adults Only: On Fremont Street, this adults-only Vegas resort is offering a package that includes a $50 beverage credit, complimentary 1-hour late check-out and a Legacy Club glass of champagne, among other extras.

Florida:

Westgate Resorts: Perfect for amusement park fans, this centrally located Orlando hotel is providing 2 tickets to onsite Treasure Island Water Park, a $50 resort credit, 2 bicycle rentals and complimentary mini-golf.
The Elser Hotel: In downtown Miami, this stylish hotel pairs city and bay views with a range of amenities and a “305 Challenge” – a Miami-themed couples game where you divide up vacation decisions across the stay: one picks the pool spot, the other picks the drinks; one chooses the restaurants, the other books the reservation time.
Legacy Vacation Resorts Kissimmee: Four outdoor pools give guests plenty of space to unwind, while customized compatibility challenges and a Make Your Own Cocktail amenity add something a little different to the stay.
Legacy Vacation Resorts Lake Buena Vista + The Fold Orlando: Located just a few miles from Disney and Sea World, partners can enjoy their Make Your Own Mocktail kit between park hopping.

Note: Turbulence Test research commissioned by Booking.com surveyed 1,253 individuals 18 or older, living in the U.S. and having taken an overnight trip within the last 12 months. The survey was fielded using Forsta and the panel was sourced from RepData. Fielding took place in July 2026.