Cover of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

By: NerdWallet Travel
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Summary
 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/ Economics Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Winter Packing List: Carry-On Essentials for Cold-Weather Travel

    Winter Packing List: Carry-On Essentials for Cold-Weather Travel
    11 Nov 2026
    Learn how to pack light for a cold-weather trip with compact layers, versatile shoes and cheap warm-up essentials. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share the items they pack for every winter trip to help you stay warm without checking a bag. They break down when a pricey packable down jacket could be worth the splurge, how a VAT refund abroad could cut the cost of a big purchase, and why foldable flats and hiking boots that pass as street shoes save suitcase space. Sally also shares a hot take on why chasing airline elite status may not be worth the effort. Then, they break down the latest travel headlines, including a recap of Smart Travel's first live listener meetup, Capital One adding Copa Airlines as a transfer partner with a launch bonus, other current transfer bonuses from Chase, Capital One and American Express, Chase adding more than 10,000 vacation homes to The Edit, and JetBlue's latest checked bag fee increase. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: JetBlue Card Review: No Annual Fee, but Also Few Key Perks JetBlue Plus Review: Bundle of Benefits, Reasonable Fee JetBlue Premier Review: $300 Credit, Lounge Access and More Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits Resources discussed in this episode: Arc'teryx Cerium SL Hoody Lip Smacker Strawberry Fanta lip balm Classic Matte Black Ballet Flats Current Credit Card Transfer Bonuses: November 2026 Which JetBlue Credit Card Is Right for You? 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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    40 min
  • How to Choose an Airline Credit Card in 2026: Miles, Lounges and Companion Passes

    How to Choose an Airline Credit Card in 2026: Miles, Lounges and Companion Passes
    4 Nov 2026
    Learn how airline credit cards could earn you more miles, cheaper award flights, elite status and free checked bags. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss airline credit cards to help you decide whether one belongs in your wallet. They break down why United cardholders now earn more miles on United flights, how Southwest cards unlock early seat selection and checked bags, which airlines offer award flight discounts to cardholders, and how card spending could fast-track elite status and companion passes. They also share their picks for Delta, United, American, Atmos Rewards and JetBlue cards, from midtier options to premium cards with lounge access, and when a general travel card could make more sense. Then, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Wyndham Rewards' new Homes & Havens vacation rentals, World of Hyatt's Cyber Sale and Hyatt's growth in Canada, why luxury hotel rates are climbing faster than midscale brands while more Americans skip holiday travel, and new theme park attendance numbers showing Dollywood booming while Walt Disney World stays flat. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits United Explorer: Richer Rewards, Perks You’ll Actually Use United Club Infinite Review: $695 Fee May Still Lure Lounge Lovers Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card Review: Worth the Fee for Airline Loyalists Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Unique as They Are Valuable Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year JetBlue Premier Review: $300 Credit, Lounge Access and More Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards Resources discussed in this episode: How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? Wyndham Rewards Opens the Door to Extraordinary Escapes with Debut of Homes & Havens World of Hyatt Cyber Sale Hyatt Builds on Record Growth in Canada with New Hotels Across Its Brand Portfolio World of Hyatt 3K Points Offer Register to Earn in Both Worlds Hilton Reports Third Quarter Results Hyatt Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results Travel Inflation Report: October 2026 2026 Holiday Spending Report United Airlines newsroom: premium seating announcement Princess Cruises Expands Sanctuary Collection What Is NightFlight Expedition? A First Rider's Guide to Dollywood's New 2026 Ride 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
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    49 min
  • Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's 2026 (and When to Book)

    Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's 2026 (and When to Book)
    28 Oct 2026
    Learn the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, plus when to book to save on airfare. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the best days to fly and book around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's to help you dodge crowds and save on holiday airfare this year. They break down why airfare has climbed so much in 2026, which travel days could be cheapest or most crowded for each holiday, how far in advance to book domestic and international holiday flights, the cheapest and most newly discounted destinations for holiday travel, and how to put expiring credit card credits to use before the year ends. They also share their favorite festive travel traditions, from Christmas markets in Berlin to a giant Peeps drop on New Year's Eve. Then, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the American Express Platinum's newly renamed lodging credit and its Airbnb Luxe option, Airbnb's new limits on checkout chores and host fines, Bilt's 2027 program changes, a refresh and higher annual fee for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card, free BlueFirst upgrades for JetBlue Mosaic members, and Hilton's new option to pay with points at checkout. Join Sally and Meghan November 5th for a night of live Q&A, games (hint: brush up on those obscure travel credit card benefits), and mingling with fellow travelers! The drinks are on us. And yes, there are prizes, courtesy of some of the travel brands you already use. Meet other locals who love traveling with points and miles. RSVP required. Let us know if you’re coming and we’ll save you a spot. https://partiful.com/e/OOSMfQpFw9PPNn4Cat0H 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card Review: Worth the Fee for Airline Loyalists JetBlue Premier Review: $300 Credit, Lounge Access and More Resources discussed in this episode: Travel Inflation Report: October 2026 The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving in 2026 The Best Days to Travel Around Christmas In 2026 AmEx Adds Airbnb Perks, Restricts Platinum’s $600 Hotel Credit Reasonable house rules and requests Bilt Improves Bilt Cash, but Keeping 4% Back Takes Action American Airlines Revamps Platinum Select Credit Card, Increases Annual Fee to $150 JetBlue Expands TrueBlue® Benefits for 2027, Bringing Space-Available Upgrades to All Mosaic® Members Hilton Becomes First Major Hotel Brand to Offer Digital Solution to Pay with Points What’s the Value of Hilton Points? 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
    Show more Show less
    54 min
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