Press Releases
Cardlytics Announces Timing of Its Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast
Atlanta, GA – October 18, 2022 – Cardlytics, Inc., (NASDAQ: CDLX), an advertising platform in banks’ digital channels, today announced that its third quarter ended September 30, 2022 financial results will be released on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, after market close. The company will host a conference call and webcast at 5:00 PM (ET) / 2:00 PM (PT) to discuss the company’s financial results.
A live audio webcast of the event will be available on the Cardlytics Investor Relations website at http://ir.cardlytics.com/. A live dial-in will be available after registering at this link. Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay of this conference call will be available through 8:00 PM ET on November 8, 2022 on the Cardlytics Investor Relations website at http://ir.cardlytics.com/.
About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in Palo Alto, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
Cardlytics Announces Inducement Grant Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
ATLANTA, GA – January 23, 2023 - Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX), an advertising platform in banks’ digital channels, today announced that Cardlytics’ Board of Directors granted 350,000 restricted stock units of Cardlytics to Amit Gupta, Cardlytics’ newly hired Chief Operating Officer. The foregoing restricted stock units were granted as a material inducement to employment with Cardlytics in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and were granted under the Cardlytics 2022 Inducement Plan (the “2022 Inducement Plan”). 50% of the restricted stock units shall vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% of the restricted stock units shall vest quarterly over the following year, subject to Gupta’s continuous service with Cardlytics as of each respective vesting date. The restricted stock units are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2022 Inducement Plan.
About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their banking rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen banking relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in Palo Alto, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
Contacts:
Public Relations:
Robert Robinson
Investor Relations:
Robert Robinson
Cardlytics Appoints Amit Gupta as Chief Operating Officer
ATLANTA, GA – January 23, 2022 – Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX), an advertising platform in banks’ digital channels, today announced the appointment of Amit Gupta as its Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to Karim Temsamani, Chief Executive Officer.
Effective today, Gupta will lead Cardlytics’ overall operations, strategy, and business analytics, where he will closely align with sales, product, and engineering leadership to deliver an optimized platform that exceeds both advertiser and partner expectations. In addition, Gupta will serve as the general manager of Bridg, where Cardlytics can leverage his experience running and scaling businesses. Amit Jain, current CEO of Bridg, will work closely with Gupta as he transitions out of the business over the next several months.
“Cardlytics is delighted to have attracted such a thoughtful, experienced and operationally strong executive,” said Temsamani. “Amit and I worked together for several years at Stripe, where he always impressed me with his strategic and technical abilities. I look forward to resuming our partnership as we optimize and grow the potential of the Cardlytics business."
Gupta joins Cardlytics from Stripe where he was Head of Strategy and Operations for Global Partnerships, responsible for work with banks, networks, and payment methods. Before Stripe, Gupta was Director of Strategy, New Products, and Operations for Google’s Geo division, leading product and engineering execution and strategy for popular consumer and business products like Google Maps, Local Search, Food, Maps Enterprise Platform, and SMBs. Prior, Gupta founded and was the CEO of a series of startups. He started his career at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he was promoted to Partner in the Technology practice working with clients across media, financial services, and consumer products.
“I am extremely excited to join the Cardlytics team. My background in both advertising and financial technology gives me a unique perspective on Cardlytics’ current capabilities and future product offerings. The product roadmap ahead makes now the perfect time to focus on operational excellence by optimizing the efficiency of the core platform and unlocking the potential of the promising Bridg business. I’m looking forward to helping the team execute on our goals and harness the full power of the platform in such a pivotal moment,” said Gupta.
Gupta holds a Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from the NYU Stern School of Business. He will be based in Cardlytics’ Palo Alto office.
About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their banking rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen banking relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in Palo Alto, New York, Los Angeles, and London. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to future growth and delivery of an optimized platform. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "hope," "target," "project," "goals," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "may," "will," "might," "could," "intend," or variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control.
Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the risks detailed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2022 and in subsequent periodic reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. We undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Contacts:
Public Relations:
Robert Robinson
Investor Relations:
Robert Robinson
Cardlytics Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Atlanta, GA – November 1, 2022 – Cardlytics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDLX), a digital advertising platform, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022. Supplemental information is available on the Investor Relations section of Cardlytics' website at http://ir.cardlytics.com/.
“We delivered solid double-digit growth despite the serious challenges present in the economy,” said Karim Temsamani, CEO of Cardlytics. “While the economy may be uncertain, I believe there is inherent resiliency in platforms that prove return on ad spend, and I am positive that we can grow profitably. There is a large opportunity ahead of us, and we will be disciplined in Q4 and beyond as we prioritize our goals and position the company well for the next ten years.”
“Our results this quarter were in line with our expectations given our clients' concerns about the economy,” said Andy Christiansen, CFO of Cardlytics. “There is a wide range of outcomes for Q4, but our highest priority is meeting our profitability and cash flow goals for 2023. We are focused on taking the necessary steps to ensure we can control our destiny and achieve our long-term goals.”
Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results
- Revenue was $72.7 million, an increase of 12% year-over-year, compared to $65.0 million in the third quarter of 2021.
- Billings, a non-GAAP metric, was $110.4 million, an increase of 12% year-over-year, compared to $98.4 million in the third quarter of 2021.
- Gross profit was $26.0 million, an increase of 6% year-over-year, compared to $24.5 million in the third quarter of 2021.
- Adjusted contribution, a non-GAAP metric, was $35.1 million, an increase of 11% year-over-year, compared to $31.6 million in the third quarter of 2021.
- Net income attributable to common stockholders was $6.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, based on 33.3 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(44.5) million, or $(1.35) per diluted share, based on 33.1 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares in the third quarter of 2021.
- Non-GAAP net loss was $(16.5) million, or $(0.50) per diluted share, based on 33.3 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $(11.0) million, or $(0.33) per diluted share, based on 33.1 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares in the third quarter of 2021.
- Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP metric, was a loss of $(12.7) million compared to a loss of $(5.2) million in the third quarter of 2021.
Key Metrics
- Cardlytics MAUs were 184.7 million, an increase of 8%, compared to 170.6 million in the third quarter of 2021.
- Cardlytics ARPU was $0.36 in the third quarter of 2022 and 2021.
- Bridg ARR was $22.1 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Definitions of MAUs, ARPU and ARR are included below under the caption “Non-GAAP Measures and Other Performance Metrics."
Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Expectations
Cardlytics anticipates billings, revenue, and adjusted contribution to be in the following ranges (in millions):
Q4 2022 GuidanceBillings(1)$120.0 - $132.0Revenue$80.0 - $90.0Adjusted contribution(2)$38.0 - $44.0
- A reconciliation of billings to GAAP revenue on a forward-looking basis is presented below under the heading "Reconciliation of Forecasted GAAP Revenue to Billings."
- A reconciliation of adjusted contribution to GAAP gross profit on a forward-looking basis is not available without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to the items excluded from this non-GAAP measure.
Earnings Teleconference Information
Cardlytics will discuss its third quarter 2022 financial results during a teleconference today, November 1, 2022, at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT. A live dial-in will be available after registering at http://ir.cardlytics.com/. Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay of this conference call will be available through 8:00 PM ET on November 8, 2022 on the Cardlytics Investor Relations website at http://ir.cardlytics.com/. Following the completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on Cardlytics’ website.
About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Detroit and Visakhapatnam. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
Cardlytics’ Back-to-School Trend Analysis Shows Impact of Omnichannel on Consumer Spend and Retention
Analysis offers insight from previous back-to-school seasons ahead of the second-largest shopping event of the year
ATLANTA – August 1, 2022 – Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) released its annual back-to-school (BTS) trend analysis, which underscores the importance of providing consumers with an omnichannel shopping experience to maximize consumer loyalty. The analysis, which comes as 62 percent of consumers start their back-to-school shopping this month, examines previous BTS spending behaviors for a sense of what to expect during the 2022 BTS shopping season amid the backdrop of rising inflation.
Key Takeaway
Notably, the analysis found that consumers who shop across channels (e.g., in-store, online, apps, etc.) spend more. In 2021, shoppers using just one channel spent an average of $900 during the back-to-school shopping season, but those who purchased items across multiple channels spent over $1,000. Even as customers spent more across both on and offline channels in 2022, in-store shopping remains the preferred method for most. It also shows that in-store sales are slowly returning to pre-COVID levels at 63 percent of total spend in 2021, compared to 61 percent in 2020, and 73 percent in 2019.
As shoppers gear up for the 2022 season, inflation may drive these figures higher due to spend per purchase, but that does not necessarily equate to increased purchases in any given category. Cardlytics’ Q1 2022 State of Spend report saw a slowdown in spending toward the end of Q1 as consumers made adjustments to accommodate increased costs in goods, food, gas, and housing brought on by the highest inflation seen since the 1980s. This could continue into the BTS and holiday 2022 seasons as customers focus on purchasing essentials and possibly engage in more one-stop shopping.
“Convincing your customers to convert on both online and offline channels is essential to maximizing incremental sales and customer loyalty,” said Nate Bucholz, Cardlytics’ vice president of DTC, Subscription, and Retail. “Our insights continue to show that people shopping across a brand’s available channels spend more than those who shop in only one channel. And they are more likely to return. Looking at your customer base through the lens of the channel they shop can help you get the most impact from your marketing spend. I would encourage brands to offer the best sales and cashback rewards now to acquire and retain customers as they head into the holidays, which is the last big shopping season of the year.”
Click here or on the image above to open the full-size infographic in a new window.
Additional Trend Highlights
The back-to-school season is the second largest shopping event of the year behind the December holiday season, making up 15 percent of annual consumer spending. The analysis includes sales for apparel, home décor, office supplies, sporting goods, shoes, and mass merchandiser, finding that:
- Overall spend was flat with only a 1.2 percent increase between 2020 and 2021. This is likely due to declines in customer volume and total purchases – defined as the number of actual customers making purchases in these categories. This trend may continue through the 2022 BTS season with minimal growth as customers tighten their wallets and only increase their spending in response to increased prices.
- Apparel had a strong 2021 back-to-school season as parents rushed to refresh wardrobes for in-person schooling. The data showed that spend increased by 24.3 percent year-over-year in this category, driven by strong customer and purchase growth. Spend increases in this category were due to genuine growth and are not a byproduct of current inflation. It is predicted that due to tightening economic conditions and the fact that people spent significantly more last year than the year before, it is likely that there will be a flat or negative spend growth for 2022.
- Shoes and children’s apparel saw significant increases as well last year. Shoes had a nearly 30 percent year-over-year increase while children’s apparel saw a 13.2 percent jump. But, shoe companies are bracing for weaker sales for the latter half of this year, which could impact overall growth for this category in 2022.
- Consumers cut back on home and office supplies in 2021, and this trend has a strong chance of continuing as more children return to classrooms in 2022. Home and office supply spending was down 8 and 8.8 percent, respectively, as fewer purchases were needed for homeschooling and to counterbalance heavy spending in previous years.
- Department stores also experienced greater sales with increases across volume of shoppers, number of purchases, and spend per purchase. Year-over-year spend went up by 22.4 percent. Spending in this category may also feel the impact of inflation, particularly when it comes to spend per purchase – while consumers may have less items in their cart, this may be offset by increased costs for each item.
The review covers an eight-week period beginning the second weekend of July and lasting through Labor Day. Early insights from the first two weeks of July 2022 show that spend is down 8.4 percent YoY as customers brace for economic uncertainty. This points to a decline in the number of customers and purchases resulting in a sluggish start this season across all categories. To view the full trend analysis, visit: https://www.cardlytics.com/blog/customer-loyalty-is-the-battleground-for-back-to-school/
About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Detroit, and Visakhapatnam. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
<strong>Cardlytics Announces Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results</strong>
Atlanta, GA – August 2, 2022 – Cardlytics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDLX), a digital advertising platform, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Supplemental information is available on the Investor Relations section of Cardlytics' website at ir.cardlytics.com.
“I am pleased with our growth in the first half of the year despite the growing pressure macro conditions are having on consumer spending and ad budgets,” said Lynne Laube, CEO & Co-Founder of Cardlytics. “We are also pleased with the progress we are seeing in the Bridg acquisition and expect to see further proof points in future quarters. The combination of the Cardlytics and Bridg data sets has us on the cusp of being able to scale the business beyond our core platform, while our focus on financial goals will allow us to control our own destiny moving forward.”
“We are committed to meeting our adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow goals in 2023, and we’re taking several proactive steps to reduce our cost structure in recognition of the lower-growth environment we are entering,” said Andy Christiansen, CFO of Cardlytics. “We expect year-over-year growth of approximately 10 to 15% in the back half of 2022, and I believe we can navigate a lower growth environment with minimal impact on the long-term prospects of the business.”
Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results
- Revenue was $75.4 million, an increase of 28% year-over-year, compared to $58.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- Billings, a non-GAAP metric, was $107.7 million, an increase of 26% year-over-year, compared to $85.3 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- Gross profit was $27.0 million, an increase of 16% year-over-year, compared to $23.2 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- Adjusted contribution, a non-GAAP metric, was $35.1 million, an increase of 19% year-over-year, compared to $29.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(126.3) million, or $(3.75) per diluted share, based on 33.6 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(47.3) million, or $(1.43) per diluted share, based on 33.0 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares in the second quarter of 2021.
- Non-GAAP net loss was $(21.7) million, or $(0.65) per diluted share, based on 33.6 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $(12.8) million, or $(0.39) per diluted share, based on 33.0 million fully diluted weighted-average common shares in the second quarter of 2021.
- Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP metric, was a loss of $(15.8) million compared to a loss of $(5.7) million in the second quarter of 2021.
Key Metrics
- Cardlytics MAUs were 179.9 million, an increase of 7%, compared to 167.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- Cardlytics ARPU was $0.38, an increase of 12%, compared to $0.34 in the second quarter of 2021.
- Bridg ARR was $21.8 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Definitions of MAUs, ARPU and ARR are included below under the caption “Non-GAAP Measures and Other Performance Metrics.
Earnings Teleconference Information
Cardlytics will discuss its second quarter 2022 financial results during a teleconference today, August 2, 2022, at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT. A live dial-in will be available after registering at this link. Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay of this conference call will be available through 8:00 PM ET on August 9, 2022 on the Cardlytics Investor Relations website at ir.cardlytics.com. Following the completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on Cardlytics’ website.
About Cardlytics
Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen relationships. In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Detroit and Visakhapatnam. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
Research & Insights
View all
The Golden Quarter is stretching out.
The Golden Quarter is no longer defined by a single shopping peak. Cardlytics analysed four years of UK purchase data, and consumer shopping trends point to a longer, steadier shopping season. Easing utility bills have unlocked more flexibility for households, meaning strong consumer resilience is hiding behind a seemingly flat top-line.
−0.8%
Overall tracked spending contracted slightly to £31.8bn — a decrease driven by falling utility costs rather than a lack of consumer confidence.
+1.7%
Excluding utilities, core quarterly spending grew. Discretionary purchasing remained resilient.
65p
For every £1 households saved on essential bills like energy and broadband, 65p was redirected into other sectors.
+1.1%
The traditional nine-day Black Friday window saw modest growth, levelling out after the 19% surge the prior year.
Three of our eight predictions
1. Black Friday won't grow: It is now a flat event. Shoppers are spending more in the weeks before it starts.
2. Discounters win Christmas dinner: Discount supermarkets will pass 10% of all grocery spend, hurting the mid-market brands.
3. The party moves to the pub: Sit-down dining is dropping. Pubs will hold steady, while fast food only grows because prices went up.
Get all eight predictions and how to win
The full report covers every prediction, including why retail will take more share, a record quarter for gaming and why next summer gets booked before Christmas, with the data behind each one, its trend rating and what it means for advertisers. Plus the one to watch: will December stall again?
UK tracked card spend fell 1.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, to £71.5bn — the first decline in our four-year series. Read that as a consumer in retreat, and you’ll misread the entire year. This is not a story of retrenchment. It’s a story of redirection. Households paid £2.2bn less to energy and broadband providers in H1, re-spent 60p of every £1 saved, and banked the remaining 40p. Strip household bills out of the numbers and spending actually rose 2.4%.
The biggest structural shift in our dataset
Utilities’ share of wallet has fallen from 26.4% in 2023 to 20.5% today — a six-point structural handback in three years, and the biggest shift we’ve measured. Energy suppliers alone returned £1,759m to households in H1 2026; broadband switching handed back a further £475m. Where did the money go? Into e-commerce (+£382m), specialty grocery (+£186m), discounter grocers (+£132m), taxis (+£124m), apparel (+£106m) and airlines (+£94m). The result is a changing of the guard: Retail is now the UK’s biggest tracked category at 29.3% of wallet, edging past Grocery’s 28.3%.
Not every pound found a new home. Of the £2,193m released by bills, £1,343m reappeared across other categories — and roughly £850m left tracked spend altogether, saved or spent beyond the panel.
Value and premium both win. The middle pays for it.
Grocery added £544m (+2.8%), but the growth sits at the two ends of the market. Discounters grew visits 6.4%; high-end grocers grew them 6.9%. Both ends of the barbell are taking trips from the middle: the Big Grocers lost visits (−1.4%) and held spend only through bigger baskets (+2.6% ATV).
And quiet inflation is back. Grocery basket values rose 1.9% — three times the pace of the two prior years — while meal kits sold through grocers grew 23.8% even as DTC meal-kit subscriptions fell 5.5%
The casualties are mid-priced commitments
What consumers cut isn’t essentials — it’s the mid-priced, committed, book-ahead purchase: the £30 sit-down meal, the package holiday, the monthly box, the big family day out. Full-service restaurants fell 6.1%, a second consecutive decline that takes their share of restaurant spend from 11.7% in 2023 to 9.9%. Package holidays dropped 3.2% while airlines grew 5.6% — travellers are self-assembling their trips. Subscription-box trips fell 10%, with beauty DTC collapsing 36.9%; only needs-based subscriptions like pets (+4.3%) and health (+4.7%) held. And big days out fell hardest, with amusement parks down 21.1%.
Even the apparent winner looks fragile. Fast food grew 5.3% — but every point of it is price. Trips fell 4.2% while transaction values rose 9.9%. Growth built on charging fewer visitors more is a churn risk, not a success story. Expect an H2 value war.
What H2 looks like
The monthly data points one way. Headline spend turns positive in Q3 as 2025’s energy price cuts annualise out of the comparison. E-commerce — six straight months of acceleration, +10.3% in June — owns peak season from Prime Day through Black Friday to Christmas. Apparel goes negative without intervention, after an eight-point deceleration in six months. The value war spreads from grocery loyalty pricing to QSR discounting. Travel books later and shorter. And pharmacy keeps compounding, growing 65–75% in every month of H1 — on track to roughly double 2024 levels by year-end.
What advertisers should do while the money is in motion
Each shift needs a different brief — and this is precisely where Card-Linked Offers and Cardlytics Insights earn their keep.
Grocers should fight on trips, not baskets: with spend held up by inflation alone, offers must defend visit frequency against both discounters and premium switchers. Retailers should start peak season early — e-commerce momentum says pull Q4 acquisition forward, and apparel brands need conquesting and basket-building before the decline hardens. Restaurants should buy back the lost visit with frequency-based offers that attack the trips problem directly. Travel brands should move offers closer to departure and target lapsed package-holiday spenders with DIY trip components — flights, stays, taxis. Subscription brands should put retention before acquisition: with trips down 10%, churn-saving offers are the priority. And everyone should court the wellness wallet — pharmacy is the fastest-growing high-value audience in our panel, relevant to health, beauty, fitness and grocery advertisers alike. The £2.2bn switch is still in motion. The brands that win H2 will be the ones that meet the money where it’s moving — not where it used to live.
About this data
Findings draw on Cardlytics UK card-spend data across a panel of 2,195 tracked brands, mapped to 8 categories and 58 subcategories. The analysis covers January–June of 2023–2026 on spend, trips and average transaction value (ATV). Year-on-year comparisons are H1 2026 vs H1 2025 unless stated.
What UK travellers did in the first five months of 2026 — and what the data predicts for the rest of the year.
UK travel spend looks steady on the surface — down just ~4% year-on-year. Look closer, and the story isn't decline. It's rotation.
New analysis from Cardlytics, drawing on UK card-spend data to the end of May 2026, shows four macro shocks — the US–Iran conflict, a jet-fuel supply squeeze, a staycation surge, and a resilient premium wallet — quietly redrawing where, how and what UK travellers book.
Four shifts travel leaders shouldn't ignore
Long-haul is falling off a cliff. Long-Distance & Specialist spend fell 26.4% in May year-on-year — but trips fell 29.4%. Nearly a third of journeys are gone, and rising ticket values are masking a real, geopolitically-driven pullback.
Booking is moving to the middlemen. The travel aggregators and agencies category grew 7.6% while tour operators fell 10.1% and cruise lines 9.8%. Facing an uncertain
backdrop, consumers are paying a premium for flexibility — booking through platforms they trust to find value and re-route them.
Premium travellers substitute — they don't subtract. Premium & Luxury spend rose 4.4%, with the average basket up 15.2%. Fewer, wealthier travellers are trading up, and luxury domestic stays are absorbing displaced long-haul demand.
The staycation wave hasn't hit the card data yet. UK domestic demand is up around 20% year-on-year, with 46% of Brits citing global conflict as a reason to holiday at home. Forward bookings are surging — the spend wave lands this summer.
Unlock the full State of Spend: Travel Edition
The headline numbers hide the real story: a collapse in long-haul trips, a flight to flexible booking, and a premium wallet that refuses to slow down. Download the full report for the segment-by-segment breakdown and four travel plays for a cautious wallet.
Inside the report:
- The Long-Haul Cliff: why trips fell nearly 40% in March — and what rising
ticket values are hiding. - Same Shift, Five Behaviours: spend decomposed into trips and basket size, from mass desertion to trading up.
- Where Spend Flows: the merchant categories gaining and losing share as booking concentrates with aggregators
- Four Travel Plays: where Card-Linked Offers and Cardlytics Insights should focus for OTAs, long-haul operators, premium brands and short-haul carriers.
