Kevin McCallister’s Home Alone 2 hotel stay would cost over $8K in 2025

New analysis by travel insurance comparison service, iSelect, reveals just how much Kevin McCallister’s iconic New York adventure would cost in 2025 compared to 1992, 32 years on, and the price jump is staggering. But the question is, how much of Kevin’s runaway escapade would travel insurance cover?

Using data from The Plaza Hotel, historic records, and modern menu pricing, the study reveals Kevin’s one-night New York stay would have soared from $2,109 in 1992 to a massive $8,511 in 2025, a 303% increase.

1992 vs. 2025 Cost Breakdown:

Item	1992 Cost (USD)	2025 Cost (USD)	% Increase
Plaza Hotel Suite (1 night)	$1,100	$6,244	467.6%
Room service feast	$967.40	$2,233.89	130.9%
Duncan’s Toy Chest donation	$23.75	$9.06	-61.9%
Three-schoop ice cream sundae	$18	$24	33.3%
Total	$2,109	$8,511	303.6%

Note: Plaza hotel suite – most expensive room available. *This data does not include taxis and Kevin’s donation to Duncan’s toy store at the end of the film

What would travel insurance have covered?

While Kevin managed to check into The Plaza using his father’s stolen credit card, a real-life runaway child running up thousands of dollars in charges would raise more than a few red flags with insurers.

Here’s what might have been covered – and what wouldn’t have been.

What travel insurance might have covered:

• Lost luggage
  Kevin famously ends up in New York with only his dad’s bag. Most policies cover mishandled or lost luggage, typically up to $1,000–$3,000, depending on the policy and excess.

What would not be covered:

• The $6,244 Plaza Hotel suite
  Insurers only cover necessary accommodation. Would a luxury suite at The Plaza be deemed “reasonable alternative accommodation”? Absolutely not. Kevin, and his family would be liable for the full cost.

Insurers can cover emergency accommodation, which is when a traveller is genuinely stranded due to circumstances outside their control, for example, an airline cancellation or severe weather event. 

In Kevin’s case, he wasn’t stranded – he boarded the wrong flight and checked himself into a luxury suite without his parents’ knowledge. Under travel insurance policies, that wouldn’t classify his stay at The Plaza as ‘emergency accommodation,’ and the nightly rate of $6,244 would not be reimbursed.

• $2,233 worth of room service
  Travel insurance doesn’t cover voluntarily racking up room service and food charges, especially lobster, ice cream sundaes, and a cheese pizza delivered on a silver platter.

• Fraudulent use of a parent’s credit card
  Kevin uses his dad’s credit card without his permission. Insurers will not pay out for costs incurred through unauthorised spending.

• Donations and souvenirs (including Duncan’s Toy Chest)
  Gifts, charity donations, and shopping are classed as personal discretionary spending and are also not covered.

How much would travel insurance cover?

In reality, almost nothing from Kevin’s $8,511 New York adventure would be reimbursed through a travel insurance policy. The only plausible covered costs would be:

• Lost luggage reimbursement.
• Possibly emergency accommodation if he was genuinely stranded due to airline error.
• Necessary meals (not luxury room service). Reasonable meal expenses can be expensed if there are travel delays or cancellations.

So, Kevin’s real out-of-pocket bill in 2025 would still sit at around $8,000.

Travel insurance tips for families travelling this holiday season

With thousands of families flying over the festive period, the travel insurance experts at iSelect have shared simple steps families can take to avoid unexpected costs if travel plans go wrong.

• Make sure children are correctly listed on your policy
  Some policies may not cover minors who aren’t properly added, to ensure they are covered you would need a group or family policy, provided you’re all travelling together.
• Keep track of boarding passes, receipts, and baggage tags
  These are often required when making claims for delays, lost items, or missed connections.
• Check the coverage for luggage, electronics, and accommodation
  Travel insurance does cover these but there will be limits and exclusions. So, if you’re travelling with expensive gadgets, it’s wise to add them to your policy. Accommodation is covered mainly under cancellation or delay benefits, while luggage is covered for loss, theft, or damage.
• Understand what counts as “reasonable” expenses
  Insurers won’t reimburse luxury hotels or high-end meals. Emergency cover only applies to practical and reasonable expenses.
• Contact the insurer before booking any new accommodation
  If you’re stranded due to delays or cancellations, calling the insurer first helps avoid disputes or rejected claims later.
• Allow for plenty for of time

Allow plenty of time when travelling during the festive season. Airports and transport hubs can be especially busy, and moving with a group often takes longer than expected. If you’re flying overseas, give yourself extra time at those busier airports to make the journey stress‑free.

Find out which airports are the most stressful at https://www.iselect.com.au/travel-insurance/insights/most-stressful-airports/.

Sources:

• https://www.theplazany.com/
• https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1992?amount=967.40
• https://www.in2013dollars.com/Toys/price-inflation/1902-to-2025?amount=23.75
• https://www.theplazany.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IRD-5.29.2024.pdf
• https://www.iselect.com.au/travel-insurance/insights/most-stressful-airports