Gen Z is taking group trips. Many say their friends aren't paying them back.

The trip made it out of the group chat. But for some Gen Zers, the hardest part comes after the plane has landed back home, when the Venmo requests go out.

A June 30 study from Zelle found that 76% of Gen Z consumers who have paid upfront for a group expense say they weren't paid back in full. As Gen Z, the cohort born between 1997 and 2012, emerges as a major spender on group travel and experiences, more young people are fronting costs for friends. But many are struggling to settle up afterward, with some reporting the experience has damaged their relationships or pushed them into debt.

"Money is already so complex and complicated, and you are putting a level of trust and faith in your friends to pay you back," says Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counselor and financial therapist. "To know that you weren't paid back… it's just a really difficult strain on the friendship."

How avoiding to repay expenses can strain friendships

Gen Z, saddled with student loans and entering a slowing U.S. labor market amid skyrocketing costs of living, is increasingly anxious about their financial situation. They're also seeing a stream of social media posts about living in luxury high rises in big cities, dining at Michelin restaurants and jetting to expensive destinations.

Evans says that means more young people feel pressure to spend to fit in, whether that's saying yes to expensive bachelorette parties, last-minute concert tickets or big dinners. Nearly half of respondents to the Zelle survey say they have gone into debt to cover group expenses.

"Can you actually afford this, or does this feel like more of a flex to other people?" Evans says. "There's a lot of pressure for people to present themselves in ways that their bank account might not be able to cash."

Evans says going into debt over these experiences isn't worth the toll it takes on friendships.

"If you know somebody else owes you money, it's going to be really difficult to see that they went to the latest and greatest hotel or restaurant," Evans says.

Among Gen Zers who fronted money and weren't fully repaid, 55% say it damaged a relationship or caused tension, and 14% say they ended a friendship or relationship over the situation.

Today, a growing number of tools aim to make it easier to split costs. There are peer-to-peer payment services like Zelle, Venmo and Cash App, which allow users to directly transfer from bank account to bank account, and apps like Tab, Splitwise and Divvy, which help users track and split shared expenses.

But that hasn't made social avoidance around payment any less awkward when it comes to the frustrated group chat texts, Venmo reminders and passive-aggressive comments about settling up. The report identifies "payment avoidance" as a prominent social behavior, finding that 20% of Gen Z consumers have canceled plans and muted or ignored texts to delay or avoid repayment.

This avoidance, Evans says, tarnishes trust.

"Say, ‘hey, this may take me a long time, but I do promise I'm going to repay you,'" Evans says. "Being honest and putting it out front, while very vulnerable, can actually bring your relationship closer together."

How to talk with friends about group finances

Sometimes you just want to get the trip off the ground, but Evans says making a repayment plan from the start can "save you on the back end" when a group experience comes to a close.

• Talk about your money. It might feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, but having honest conversations can help put people at ease, Evans says. "It literally is going to set you free and make everybody feel more comfortable."
• Have a repayment plan. If you're going on a group trip or splitting a large bill, make a plan ahead of time for how and when everyone will pay each other back, Evans says. This includes figuring out the method of how payment will happen, as well as a timeline for when the person fronting the cost can expect to be repaid.
• Make sure you can afford to front the cost. Before offering to put concert tickets, a trip, or group dinner on your card, make sure you're financially prepared, Evans says. "If you are not going to be comfortable with people taking longer to potentially pay you back, don't put it down."
• Be upfront if you need more time to pay. Evans says avoiding paying back a friend can damage trust. Instead, be honest if you can't pay someone back right away, and communicate when you expect to be able to repay them.

Rachel Hale's role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Reach her at rhale@usatoday.com and @rachelleighhale on X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gen Z is taking group trips. Many say their friends aren't paying them back.

Reporting by Rachel Hale, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 8:01 AM.