Millennial and Gen Z singles are redefining the dating landscape with the rise of situationships and a knack for planning fire dates, even if the romantic connections may not last. Thoughtfulness takes precedence over expense and recent data reveals that dating expenditures are on the rise. American Express’ Amex TrendEx Millennial and Gen-Z Summer Spotlight Report shows that 24% of respondents are spending more on elaborate dating, with an average willingness to drop $420 on casual summer dating.
Elaborate Dating Experiences
To explore this trend further, we gathered insights from a few individuals who had experienced extravagant and elaborate dates. These memorable outings showcased the depth of effort and investment that millennials and Gen Z are willing to make for romance. Sara, aged 27, mentioned that she and her boyfriend of six months spontaneously decided on a workday to make a same-day reservation at SAGA, a fine-dining NYC restaurant. The bill came to a staggering $1,200. Janie, 28, recounted that for her fiancée’s birthday, she wanted to make it extra special. They indulged in a fancy brunch at the posh RH rooftop restaurant in NYC, followed by ice skating, tickets to a Broadway show, and dinner at Electric Lemon, another high-end restaurant. The entire experience amounted to approximately $1,300.
Examples of Extravagant Dates
There are also millennial couples who prefer to go for a no-expense-spared approach when it comes to dating. Rebecca, 27, amusingly shared that a guy she was dating arranged a unique first date for her. He got his pilot brother to fly them to the nearest Chick-fil-A location. The unexpected gesture incurred a cost of around $1,540. Chris, 31, described a surprise trip to the Bahamas planned by his partner. They stayed in a beautiful beach resort and enjoyed activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming. The night was made magical with a private beach bonfire, stargazing, and even open-air cooking by a private chef. The total cost of the trip was around $2,500. Clara, 26, recounted an extravagant date where they dined at Nobu, a high-end celebrity restaurant in New York, and later enjoyed a Drake and Migos show at Madison Square Garden. The concert tickets alone cost $1,200 for both of them, and the dinner was about $500 each. Additionally, they stayed in a posh hotel for the day and rented an SUV for the night, bringing the total expense to a staggering $2,600. Interestingly, all of these millennials also shared that these extravagant dating experiences were worth every penny!