Using Bitcoin for Extravagant Vacations: Why Some Rich Investors Are Doing It

Bitcoin Enters Luxury Travel: Status Symbol or Risky Spend?

Bitcoin is increasingly accepted in the luxury travel market, from private jets and yachts to boutique hotels—but is spending BTC actually sensible for the wealthy?

According to the Financial Times, Flexjet’s FXAIR now takes crypto for transatlantic flights costing around $80,000, while Virgin Voyages sells annual cruise passes for $120,000. SeaDream Yacht Club and boutique hotel chains like The Kessler Collection also accept crypto payments.

High-end travel suits crypto use: on six-figure bills, volatility and fees are less concerning, and merchants can convert payments into fiat instantly. Paying with BTC also carries prestige, echoing prior bull-market indulgences on Lamborghinis and watches—but now in travel experiences.

Financially, caution is warranted. Bitcoin’s famous 2010 “pizza purchase”—10,000 BTC spent on two pizzas, now worth over $1 billion—serves as a reminder that early spending can carry huge opportunity costs.

Some holders, however, see logic in current spending. With BTC hitting $124,128 in mid-August, luxury purchases can lock in gains before potential market pullbacks. Inflationary pressures and macro uncertainty could drive BTC below $100,000, making current spending a practical hedge.

Taxes also apply: in the U.S., crypto is treated as property, meaning spending triggers capital gains. The U.K.’s HMRC enforces similar rules.

Younger affluent travelers are driving a boom in luxury travel, projected to nearly double spending by 2028. For them, crypto is not just an investment—it’s a gateway to exclusive experiences.

Crypto may not yet be common for everyday purchases, but it is gaining traction at the high end. Whether it’s a smart move or a modern “billion-dollar pizza” gamble depends on how long this bull cycle lasts.