Summer Travel 2026: How to Time Your Trip, Pick Your Destination, and Actually Save Money

Learn how summer 2026 travel costs are rising and which booking strategies could help you save money this season. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss what's driving up summer travel costs in 2026 and how to plan smarter despite them. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including what American Express's new partnership with Fanatics could mean for sports fans and points collectors, a new Bilt deal allowing certain cardholders to earn miles on rent payments with Air France/KLM and Alaska Atmos, major updates at Disney World and Disneyland, and findings from Expedia's summer travel report on the return of last-minute booking. Then, Meghan and Sally dig into the full picture of summer travel in 2026, with tips and tricks on when airfares and hotel prices hit their seasonal floor, which domestic and international destinations are trending this summer, and how to decide whether spending points or paying cash makes more sense when prices are climbing fast. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card  5 Things to Know About the Air France-KLM Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/air-france-klm-credit-card  Fanatics Rewards Card from American Express https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/amex-fanatics-to-partner-on-credit-card  Resources discussed in this episode: How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations  2026 Summer Travel Report: 42% Would Rather Stay Home Than Book Budget Travel https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/studies/summer-travel-report  The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/best-days-book-flight-fly  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