5 On Your Side: Splitting vacation costs can strain friendships. How to avoid the drama

While group trips with friends can be great, splitting the expenses can often put friendships to the test.

More than three-quarters of Gen Z Zelle users recently surveyed said they paid for a group bill upfront and were never fully paid back. Others reported going into debt covering lingering travel bills.

Experts say this form of payment avoidance can quickly turn into social avoidance.

About one-fifth of those surveyed admitted canceling plans or ignoring group chats to ease debt anxiety.

 AAA recommends avoiding these conversations by communicating ahead of time.

Set expectations for every part of the trip, including destination, activities and timeframe. Next, agree on a budget that works for everyone, make any needed adjustments and finalize repayment terms.  

All-inclusive trips can be a safe option to avoid frequent bill splitting.

Experts also recommend using different apps made for expense tracking and bill splitting for group travel.