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Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways: Daily Summaries Delivered
by NerdWallet Travel
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 let’s help that travel budget take you places you’ve only dreamed about. Join hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle, two of NerdWallet’s expert travel Nerds, as they lay out tips, tools, and strategies for your next travel getaway, including: Travel budgeting: What’s the best way to budget for a vacation? How can you save money planning travel? The Nerds compare the best travel budgeting tools. Travel Strategies: Should you use travel points or travel miles? Should you Airbnb or get a hotel? The Nerds have your how-to travel guide for your next trip. Family vacation planning: Thinking of a Disney trip or something more tropical? Should you fly or rent a car? The Nerds lay out your options so you can decide the best way to book your next family vacation. Travel Agents: Can travel agents save you money? Are there better alternatives? The Nerds dive into the actual cost of financial traveling and lay out your best options. Seasonal timing: When’s the right time to book travel for next summer? How far out should you plan a holiday getaway? The Nerds got you covered from Spring to Winter with smart travel strategies. Fee and policy changes: How do the latest TSA rules affect you? The Nerds break down recent regulations and how it impacts your next travel budget. Travel Planning Tools: Not sure about a new travel app? Does that website actually give you the best deals? The Nerds have reviewed all the major platforms and share their pros, cons, and insights. Destination-Specific Booking Strategies: Dreaming of Hawaiian or European getaways? The Nerds can help you and your travel budget when booking popular travel destinations.
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- Today44 min
The 7 Things Our Travel Pros Insist On Packing
Learn which packing essentials two travel experts swear by, plus how to time your Labor Day trip for fewer crowds. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the gear they just won’t travel without, to help you pack smarter on your next trip. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the Seats.aero Chrome extension, an update to the Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks partnership starting August 5, Bilt's August Rent Day promotion offering an ALL Accor status match, how to score free DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies on August 4, and NerdWallet's TSA data on the best and worst days to fly over Labor Day weekend. Then, Meghan and Sally discuss their top travel items, including why a 2-in-1 backpack could replace your entire bag strategy, what features actually make a crossbody bag pickpocket-proof, how packing cubes and a spare tote solve the overcrowding problem, and why a deck of cards might be the most underrated thing you can pack. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Is a Bilt Credit Card Worth It? Resources discussed in this episode: Seats.aero Award Search Review: A Go-To for Expert Travelers Points Path Review: A Free Tool to Compare Points vs. Cash The Best Days to Fly Around Labor Day Select travel essentials shared in this episode: Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1 40L Reusable Grocery Bags Universal Travel Adapter Packing Cubes Owala Stainless Steel Water Bottle Melatonin Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. *The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago48 min
What to Ask Your Hotel Concierge: Free Upgrades, Insider Deals, and What Most Travelers Miss
Learn what hotel concierges can do for your next stay, from getting free upgrades to saving you money. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French explore what hotel concierges could do for your next stay. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the opening of the new Chase Sapphire Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, a new points-conversion and status-challenge partnership between World of Hyatt and Air Canada's Aeroplan program, and Marriott Bonvoy's expanded partnership with Japan Airlines that could fast-track travelers to Oneworld elite status. Then, joined by Fredrick Jones, Director of Rooms & Guest Relations at NH Hotel Group, they explore what hotel concierges can realistically do for guests, with tips on whether upgrades without elite status are possible, how to request perks most travelers don't think to ask for, and why a four-star property with a strong concierge desk could rival a five-star experience. They also help listener Sharon figure out how to put 150,000 Chase points to work for a family trip to Hawaii. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business Review: Big Perks, Bigger Fee Best Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards of July 2026 Resources discussed in this episode: First Look at the New Dallas Chase Sapphire Lounge Hyatt-Air Canada Partnership Adds Redemptions, Status Challenges PointsYeah Award Search Review: A Great Tool for Points Collectors Points Path Review: A Free Tool to Compare Points vs. Cash Travel Inflation Report: July 2026 Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. *The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago1h 3m
Is an Alaska Cruise Actually Worth It? We Went to Find Out
*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. It has been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality. Is an Alaskan cruise really a trip for everyone — even people who swear they hate cruises? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle, recording live in-studio from Scottsdale, Arizona, share dueling trip reports from their own separate Alaska cruises. They cover when to go, how to choose between the big flashy ships and the smaller expedition lines, which ports are worth booking an excursion for — think dog sledding, glacier canoeing and salmon fishing — versus which ones you can skip, whether the balcony upgrade is worth the splurge, and how to avoid getting fleeced by the ship’s gift shop if seasickness strikes. But first, Sally and Meghan dig into the latest travel news, including Delta's controversial new no-frills business class fare, a big refresh to the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining credit and OpenTable restaurant list, an update to Wells Fargo's travel portal that now includes direct Southwest Airlines booking, and a preview of Holland America's new Christmas markets-and-Baltic Sea sailings. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers Resources discussed in this episode: The Best Alaska Cruises Princess Cruises: What to Know Before You Sail Do You Need a Passport for an Alaskan Cruise? 7 Tips for Finding Deals on Your Next Cruise Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago53 min
Your Flight Got Canceled. Here's How to Beat Summer's Worst Travel Chaos
Your flight was canceled. Now what? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share their go-to strategies for beating summer flight delays and cancellations, from booking the first flight of the day to knowing which layovers to avoid. But first, Sally breaks down the latest travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland (filling in for Meghan), discussing American Airlines' new grab-and-go lounge concept coming to JFK, a preview of Royal Caribbean's massive new Legend of the Seas, and Marriott's decision to end its 34-year partnership with Pepsi in favor of Coca-Cola. Then, Paul Bernardini, Head of Marketing at Flighty, joins to break down why June and July are historically the worst months to fly, which U.S. and European airlines rack up the most delays, and how the Flighty app tracks your inbound plane 25 hours before it lands — and sometimes lets you know what’s going on with your flight before your own pilot finds out. They also answer a question from Emily, who wants to know the best business credit card for her partner's restaurant to complement their existing Alaska Airlines cards and boost points toward hotels. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Ink Business Unlimited Review Chase Ink Business Cash Card Review Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards Resources discussed in this episode: A Guide to JFK Lounges: What to Know Royal Caribbean: The Complete Guide The Chase Sapphire Preferred Got Better — Except for This How to Get Flight Delay Compensation Flighty app Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 4 weeks ago58 min
The ADHD Traveler's Guide to Airport Security, Budgeting and Staying on Schedule
Learn how ADHD shapes travel decisions, and the strategies that turn travel stress into a strength. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to make travel less stressful for ADHD brains, with tips to help you avoid lost passports, missed flights and packing mishaps. But first, Sally breaks down the latest travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland, discussing Wyndham Rewards' overhaul of its award chart, Bilt's new transfer partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts' I Prefer program, and the debut of a new Delta One lounge at LAX. Then, Dr. Andrew Kahn, Associate Director of Expertise and Behavioral Health Innovation at Understood.org, joins Sally and Meghan to discuss traveling with ADHD, with tips and tricks on managing time blindness at the airport, organizing your bag and routines to avoid sensory overload, and budgeting for trips without overspending. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits Is a Bilt Credit Card Worth It? Bilt Blue Card: Complex Housing Rewards, Modest Everyday Ones Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary Resources discussed in this episode: Will Wyndham’s New Award Chart Benefit You? It’s Complicated The Guide to Bilt Transfer Partners New Delta One Lounge at LAX: A Sushi Bar and Sky Deck Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 24, 202659 min
Best Credit Cards for Weddings: Turn Venue Bills Into Honeymoon Flights and Hotel Nights
Find out which credit cards could turn your wedding costs into a business class honeymoon. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the best credit cards for wedding expenses and how to use the points you earn to pay for your honeymoon. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including data projecting a record number of Independence Day travelers and which days to avoid (or target) for flying and driving, Sally's preview sailing aboard Royal Caribbean's new Legend of the Seas, the Amex Platinum Saks Fifth Avenue credit disappearing on July 1st, and new data from AirDNA showing nightly average Airbnb prices are now surpassing hotel averages. Then, they dig into the best credit cards for wedding spending, with tips on how to match a card to your venue type (hotel versus non-hotel), why many vendors won't let you pay by credit card and how to maximize the ones that will, and how to reverse-engineer your honeymoon destination to pick the right points currency. They also answer a question from Jessie, who will be getting married at a Marriott Autograph Hotel, about whether the math works to pay with a Marriott card despite the processing fee. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Citi Double Cash Review: A Solid Choice for Everyday Spending Capital One Venture Review: Easy Earnings, Effortless Redemptions Capital One Venture X Review: A Steal of a Deal Among Premium Cards Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Review: Choose Your Own Bonus Category Costco Anywhere Visa Review: Bulked-Up Savings for Members Amazon Prime Visa Review: Perhaps the Ultimate Store Card Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Review: Ho-Hum for a High Price World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families Resources discussed in this episode: The Best Days to Fly Around July Fourth BofA Rewards: More Rewards With Every Purchase The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now 7 Stunning All-Inclusives to Book With Points PointsYeah Award Search Review: A Great Tool for Points Collectors Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 17, 202658 min
The Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Countries: What $300 a Day in Madagascar Really Buys You
Learn what it really costs to honeymoon in one of the world's least-visited countries and how to get there on points. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French share what it actually costs to honeymoon in one of the world's least-visited countries. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits that went live June 15th, a full Wyndham Rewards card family refresh that added a brand-new premium card, why airfares are up more than 26% year-over-year amid broader travel price increases, and highlights from AAA's new Five Diamond Hotels list. Then, they discuss Sally's Madagascar honeymoon from every angle, with tips on whether a group tour could be the right call for destinations with little tourist infrastructure, why countries with the lowest cost of living can be among the most expensive places to visit, and how to score business class seats on Ethiopian Airlines for 80,000 United miles to one of the farthest destinations from San Francisco on earth. They also feature an interview with Madagascar guide Zu Rakuthu Nirina and answer a listener’s question about using 176,000 United miles for flights from SFO to Singapore. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards 5 Things to Know About the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card Wyndham Credit Cards Get a Glow-Up and a New Premium Sibling Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Review: Solid Rewards and Perks for Loyalists Wyndham Rewards Earner Credit Card Review: Ideal for Frugal Travelers Resources discussed in this episode: PointsYeah Award Search Review: A Great Tool for Points Collectors Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 10, 202640 min
Unpacking the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Biggest Update in Five Years: What You Need to Know
Learn how the Chase Sapphire Preferred's biggest refresh in years could change how you earn and redeem travel points. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French break down the latest travel headlines, including Delta's expanded free checked bag perk, a new ride-hailing credit on select Delta cards, a second Delta One Lounge coming to LAX, World of Hyatt's new 12-month advance booking window for cardholders and elite members, and two changes hitting Atmos Rewards members. Then, they dig into the Chase Sapphire Preferred's first major overhaul in five years. The annual fee is staying at $95 but the card is getting new benefits, updated earning categories, and some trade-offs worth knowing about. Meghan and Sally walk through every change, weigh the pros and cons, and compare the Preferred to other travel cards to help you figure out whether it still deserves a spot in your wallet. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee Bank of America Premium Rewards Review: Big Bonuses for B of A's Best Customers Citi Strata Premier: Big Rewards Across Top Spending Categories Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Rare as They Are Valuable Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Review: Good for Travel and Gas Resources discussed in this episode: Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners: A Complete Guide Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About 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 let’s help that travel budget take you places you’ve only dreamed about. Join hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle, two of NerdWallet’s expert travel Nerds, as they lay out tips, tools, and strategies for your next travel getaway, including: Travel budgeting: What’s the best way to budget for a vacation? How can you save money planning travel? The Nerds compare the best travel budgeting tools. Travel Strategies: Should you use travel points or travel miles? Should you Airbnb or get a hotel? The Nerds have your how-to travel guide for your next trip. Family vacation planning: Thinking of a Disney trip or something more tropical? Should you fly or rent a car? The Nerds lay out your options so you can decide the best way to book your next family vacation. Travel Agents: Can travel agents save you money? Are there better alternatives? The Nerds dive into the actual cost of financial traveling and lay out your best options. Seasonal timing: When’s the right time to book travel for next summer? How far out should you plan a holiday getaway? The Nerds got you covered from Spring to Winter with smart travel strategies. Fee and policy changes: How do the latest TSA rules affect you? The Nerds break down recent regulations and how it impacts your next travel budget. Travel Planning Tools: Not sure about a new travel app? Does that website actually give you the best deals? The Nerds have reviewed all the major platforms and share their pros, cons, and insights. Destination-Specific Booking Strategies: Dreaming of Hawaiian or European getaways? The Nerds can help you and your travel budget when booking popular travel destinations.
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