Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
Planning your next vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel.NerdWallet’s trusted travel experts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, are here to help your travel dollars work even harder. But the travel Nerds don’t just make recommendations; they break down the latest travel details, exploring the pros and cons of specific strategies, practical tools, and tactics. Dive deep with the experts as they lay out all the options so you can finally plan that dream vacation.So put your seat in its full upright position, buckle up, and le...
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Maximizing Miles, Sharing Points, Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Your Travel Questions Answered
<p>We answer listener questions about travel insurance, Chase point transfers, lounge access, free checked bags, and more.</p> <p>Host Sally French opens the episode with the week’s biggest travel headlines alongside Elizabeth Ayoola, host of NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, who fills in for Meghan Coyle during the news segment. They cover sweeping 2026 changes to U.S. national park pricing and fee-free days, Disneyland’s newly announced kids-ticket deals for next summer, Travel Tuesday sales that are still available, and the debut of Chase’s new Sapphire Lounge in Las Vegas.</p> <p>Then, Sally and Meghan tackle a...
$2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet to Make Sure They’re Worth It (Video Episode)
<p>In this special video episode, see if $2,000 in credit card fees is worth it and learn how you can audit your own travel rewards wallet.</p> <p>Should you really be paying nearly $2,000 a year in credit card annual fees, or is it time to downsize your wallet? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle sit down with NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast host Elizabeth Ayoola to dissect her stack of premium travel cards and decide which ones earn their keep. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Black Friday bargains, why flight bookings may be down ev...
AI Travel Pricing Is Here: How Airlines and Hotels Could Quietly Raise Your Rates
<p>Learn how AI may raise your travel prices and what to watch for before you book your next trip.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Before the Nerds delve into the surprising ways AI can affect your travel booking, hosts Tess Vigeland (covering news this week for host Meghan Coyle) and Sally French kick things off by covering the latest travel headlines, including pre-Thanksgiving travel deals from Hyatt, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Expedia. They also preview potentially record-setting Thanksgiving crowds, explain what the FAA’s terminated flight-reduction order means for your itinerary, unpack Apple’s new digital ID for TSA chec...
Adventure by Committee: What Happens When You Let Others Pick Your Trip
<p>Sally and her new husband unpack their unconventional honeymoon plan and share practical tips to plan your own getaway with purpose.</p> <p>How do you plan a honeymoon that feels luxurious without blowing your budget? How can newlyweds use points and miles to pay for their trip? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share how Sally’s own wedding guests chose her honeymoon destination — and the travel and financial lessons that came from it. But first, Smart Travel producer Tess Vigeland joins Sally to recap this week’s biggest travel headlines, including flight delays caused by the government shutdo...
How to Tell If a Premium Travel Card Is Worth the Fee
<p>Learn when pricey travel cards are worth it and how to pick the one that gives you the most value.</p> <p>Are premium travel cards worth the high price tag? How do you decide which one(s) to keep in your wallet? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the real-world math of annual fees and rewards to help you understand when these cards pay for themselves. But first, show producer Tess Vigeland joins Meghan to cover the week’s travel headlines, including new airport lounges opening in Salt Lake City, the Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card la...
How to Make Every Trip More Meaningful — Without Spending More (w/ Expedia’s “Powering Travel” Host Elisabeth Goodridge)
<p>Learn how you can make travel more meaningful without overspending or missing out on authentic experiences.</p> <p>How do you plan a vacation that feels “worth it” without overspending? What’s the smartest way to turn bank points into long-haul premium flights? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to design trips that maximize satisfaction and meaning without paying top dollar. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including United and JetBlue’s Blue Sky partnership, Delta adding Crunchyroll to seat-back entertainment alongside free Wi-Fi, and what Travis Kelce’s investment in Six Flags could mean for a...
Travel More, Stress Less: How to Build a Financial Plan That Funds Your Adventures
<p>Learn how to plan travel without derailing your long-term finances or your retirement goals.</p> <p>How can you plan travel without throwing off your long-term financial goals? How do you budget for a dream sabbatical without wrecking your savings? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to afford meaningful travel while keeping your financial future on track. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including United Airlines expanding Starlink Wi-Fi to its Boeing jets, American Airlines launching a new mid-tier credit card, JetBlue extending elite status and adding Family Tiles, Bilt’s new mortgage-points partnership wi...
When to Book and Fly for Cheaper Holiday Trips in 2025
<p>Learn the optimal days to fly, when to book, and how to stretch your points for cheaper holiday travel.</p> <p>When is the prime time to book Thanksgiving and Christmas flights this year? How can you stretch points to cover pricey holiday trips? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss holiday booking windows and money-saving strategies to help you land lower fares and avoid headaches. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Bilt Rewards adding Etihad Guest as a transfer partner, bigger welcome offers now available on select premium cards, and Hilton’s new Outset Co...
Enjoy the Halloween Travel Boom Without Getting Scared by Prices (Video Episode)
<p>In this special video episode, watch Sally brave haunted attractions and reveal the surprising rise of Halloween vacations.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Is Halloween travel worth the money right now? Which fall travel deals are worth your time? Watch hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how Halloween became a peak travel moment and what it really costs — and see how Sally reacted to some of this year’s scariest attractions — so you can plan smarter and still get your thrills. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including limited-time Hilton card welcome offers, Hilton’s Q4 “1,500...
Stop Wasting Time (and Miles): Points vs. Cash Tools for Easier Booking
<p>Confused by points vs. cash? Discover how to stretch your miles further and save on your next trip.</p> <p>Should you use points or cash for your next flight? How do you find award availability that’s worth booking? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into points redemption and partner programs to help you understand when it makes the most sense to redeem miles, when to pay cash, and how to surface real award seats without the spreadsheet headache. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Marriott credit card limited-time offers, the European Union’s ne...
