Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

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. If you’re planning on traveling within the next 12 months and ready to start researching and booking your next great adventure, then follow Smart Travel to upgrade your getaways. You’ll love Smart Travel if you like podcasts like: Far From Home, Zero to Travel, Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad, Amateur Traveler, Point Me To First Class, Takeoff A Points And Miles Podcast, Frequent Miler On The Air, Women Who Travel, and many other travel related podcasts. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http:// www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

Episodes

October 15, 2025 23 mins
Learn the optimal days to fly, when to book, and how to stretch your points for cheaper holiday travel. 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 head...
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In this special video episode, watch Sally brave haunted attractions and reveal the surprising rise of Halloween vacations. 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 a...
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Confused by points vs. cash? Discover how to stretch your miles further and save on your next trip. 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 spread...
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Fora cofounder Henley Vazquez reveals how travelers turn trip planning into income and which destinations are trending. How much money can you make working part-time as a travel advisor? What are the startup costs to get into the industry? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle explore how you can turn trip planning into income and what that means for travelers looking to build a flexible side hustle. But first, they break down the l...
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The Platinum Card® from American Express announced that its annual fee just went up. Learn how to decide if the new credits, perks, and lounge access are worth it. Is the Amex Platinum worth its higher annual fee? How do you maximize new statement credits without lifestyle creep? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the Amex Platinum’s updated perks, including dining, hotel credits, and streaming, to help you understand whe...
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Learn how an entire family traveled to Europe on points, including business class flights, boutique stays, and mountain escapes. How do you book business-class flights to Europe for a family of four using points? How do you cover hotels and vacation rentals with rewards while meeting Europe’s room occupancy rules? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle talk with Erin Hurd, NerdWallet’s director of travel, about her family trip throug...
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Get fresh NerdWallet data on what your points and miles are really worth in 2025 — and why the answer might change how you book travel. Should you take a $650 flight voucher or 32,500 miles? How much are your points and miles actually worth? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the latest NerdWallet valuations to help you make smarter redemption choices. But first, they cover the week’s biggest travel headlines, includin...
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Learn how to get into airport lounges, stretch rewards for family travel, and score the best cruise deals from New York. How can you get into airport lounges if you don’t have elite status? What’s the cheapest way to book a cruise from New York? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into your questions about airport lounges, family travel, cruise deals, and Disney trips to help you plan your next adventure with confidence. But f...
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Budget smarter for study abroad and learn how to cover costs with scholarships, aid, and credit cards. Plus: get the inside scoop on Alaska Airlines’ new premium airline credit card. Can you save money by studying abroad? What scholarships and financial aid can actually cover international programs? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the costs and benefits of studying abroad. But first, they unpack the latest travel headl...
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Learn how to pack smarter and lighter with actionable tips to save money, avoid fees, and travel stress-free. What travel gear can you stop packing to cut costs? How much money can you save by packing your luggage the right way? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss smart packing tips that could have a real impact on your travel spending. But first, Meghan covers the latest travel headlines with NerdWallet’s Tess Vigeland, i...
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Handle lost luggage like a pro with tips for getting reimbursed and packing smarter to avoid future headaches. What should you do when your luggage disappears on an international trip? Which credit cards and travel insurance policies actually help when this happens? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss Meghan’s real-life saga of lost luggage on a trip to Italy, including how she tracked it down, got it back, and got reimbur...
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Optimize your travel rewards strategy with the latest card and perk updates, smart downgrade-and-reapply moves, and tips for combining and redeeming points for maximum value. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle answer listener questions to help you travel smarter. But first, they share a ton of recent credit card news, including Citi launching a premium travel card with American Airlines transfer perks, a preview of Alaska Airline...
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Learn how new consumer protections can help you get refunds, rebook faster, and stress less when you fly. What protections do you have if your flight is delayed, canceled, or your bag goes missing? How do you know if your airline will rebook you or leave you stranded? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive into a new report revealing which airlines get the most complaints and why more travelers are speaking up. But first, they u...
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Plan smarter for your next trip to Italy with cost-saving tips and strategies to avoid common tourist traps. When is the best time to visit Italy? How can you avoid overspending while still having an unforgettable experience? Hosts Megan Coyle and Sally French break down the logistics and hidden costs of traveling to Italy, from airfare and lodging to train travel and rental cars. But first, they break down the latest travel headl...
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Stretch your travel budget with smarter planning, real savings hacks, and $75-a-day global travel strategies. Can you really see the world for just $75 a day? Can you cut travel costs without sacrificing comfort or experience? Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss planning a trip for less than $75 per day with Matt Kepnes, aka Nomadic Matt. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Uber’s new rental car del...
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Learn what it’s like working with a travel advisor, including how much time and money they can really save you when planning your next trip. Can travel advisors really save you money? Should you be booking travel yourself or outsourcing the job to a professional? Hosts Megan Coyle and Sally French discuss the unexpected perks, cost structures, and potential savings of working with a travel advisor, formerly known as a travel agent...
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Score travel deals, discover hotel savings, and learn how to maximize your budget without missing out this summer. How can you travel this summer without overspending? Where should you book to get the most value from your hotel stay? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the state of summer travel and how shifting prices are impacting vacation budgets. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including: mass...
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Learn about major changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve — and how to decide if another premium card is a better fit. Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve still worth it after its major 2025 refresh? What do travelers lose — and gain — with the new credit card benefits? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French break down this week’s sweeping changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve and compare it with other premium travel cards to help you decide...
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How to plan a multi-generational trip without breaking the bank — or your relationships — and make it truly memorable. How do you plan a budget-friendly vacation for multiple generations of family? And how do you keep everyone — from toddlers to grandparents — happy without overspending or over-planning? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle explain how you can overcome the challenges of multi-generational travel. But first, they ...
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Learn what’s worth it (and what to skip) at Universal’s new theme park Epic Universe, with money-saving tips and sneak peeks of top rides. Is Epic Universe worth the higher ticket price compared to Universal’s other parks? How can you save money on theme park food, drinks, and add-ons without sacrificing fun? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the newest and most expensive addition to Universal Orlando—Epic Universe—and h...
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