Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

NerdWallet
en
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 (31)

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Cash or Miles? The 2025 Points Valuations That Could Change How You Travel

September 03, 2025 42m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Airport Lounge Access, Family Award Travel, and Cruise Savings: Your Questions Answered

August 27, 2025 28m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Pay for Study Abroad and Save Overseas (Plus: Alaska Airlines’ New Rewards Program and Premium Travel Card)

August 20, 2025 32m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Pack Smarter, Spend Less: How to Travel Light Without Losing Comfort

August 13, 2025 26m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Lost Bag Bailout: How Travel Insurance and Credit Cards Can Save You Thousands

August 06, 2025 35m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Your Travel Credit Card Questions Answered: What to Keep, What to Add, and When to Redeem

July 30, 2025 34m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

New Consumer Protections Could Save You Hundreds on Your Next Flight

July 23, 2025 33m
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?...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Italy Beyond the Tourist Map: How to Get Around, Spend Less, and Explore Like a Local

July 16, 2025 34m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: What Savvy Travelers Do Differently to Make Every Dollar Count

July 09, 2025 31m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

What AI Can’t Book: How Travel Advisors Deliver VIP Perks at No Extra Cost

July 02, 2025 33m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Summer Travel Deals: Where Prices Are Dropping and How to Book Luxury for Less

June 25, 2025 34m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Big Changes to a Top Travel Card — Is It Still Worth It or Is There a Better Fit for You?

June 18, 2025 31m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Making Group Travel Work: Planning Trips for Different Budgets, Ages, and Interests

June 11, 2025 32m
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?...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Is Epic Universe the Future of Theme Parks? Here’s How to Save When You Go

June 04, 2025 34m
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...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Plan an Itinerary That Saves Money, Avoids Crowds, and Unlocks Hidden Gems

May 28, 2025 30m Episode 16
Learn how to plan travel itineraries that save you money, skip tourist traps, and make the most of your points.

How can you plan a travel itinerary that saves money without missing out? What travel...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Disney Done Right: When to Go, What to Skip, and How to Save at Disney Parks

May 21, 2025 27m Episode 15
Get the most out of your next Disney trip with tips for saving on tickets, spending less time in lines, and finding legitimate discounts.

When is the cheapest time to go to Disney parks? How can...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

The Benefits of Award Search Tools and When They’re Worth Paying For

May 14, 2025 33m Episode 14
Learn how to use award search tools, when it’s worth it to pay for one, and how to use alerts and filters to save time and get better redemptions.

What are the best tools to find award flight...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Insider Strategies for First-Class Cruise Perks Without the Premium Price

May 07, 2025 32m Episode 13
Is a cruise actually cheaper than a land vacation? Learn how to sail smarter and save big on your next getaway.

Are cruises really a budget-friendly alternative to land vacations? What’s the best...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Where 100,000 Points Can Take You: First Class Seats, Five-Star Suites and VIP Upgrades

April 30, 2025 31m
Explore your options for spending 100,000 credit card points, with tips on redemptions for luxury flights, hotels, and hidden travel perks.

What are the best ways to use 100,000 credit card points...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

When and How to Transfer Credit Card Rewards Points To Get The Most Value

April 23, 2025 31m
Learn when it’s worth transferring credit card points — and how to avoid costly mistakes that waste your rewards.

When should you transfer your credit card points to an airline or hotel loyalty...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Room Blocks, Rental Cars, and a Plus-One: Smarter Wedding Travel for Savvy Guests

April 16, 2025 26m
Learn strategic ways to save on wedding travel — whether you're planning the big day or flying in to celebrate someone else's.

How can you avoid overspending on wedding travel without sacrificing...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

The New Rules of Travel Rewards: Spend More or Lose Out

April 09, 2025 33m
Learn why flight delays are getting worse and what airline miles are really worth (hint: it’s not what you think).

Why are flight cancellations and delays happening more often? Are airline miles and...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Plan Smarter and Save More on Summer Travel

April 02, 2025 29m
Learn how to get the most out of your summer travel including when to book your flights and how to stack rewards. 

When is the cheapest time to book flights for summer travel? How can you stack...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Secrets to Finding Cheap Flights and Avoiding Fees, Straight from Scott’s Cheap Flights

March 26, 2025 37m
Learn when to book flights, how to spot mistake fares, and ways to use lesser-known tips like booking stopovers and tapping into rideshare rewards.

When is the best time to book a cheap flight? Do...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Visit National Parks for Free, Avoid Crowds, and Save on Lodging

March 19, 2025 35m Episode 6
Learn how to visit national parks on a budget, including tips on free entry days and cheap lodging. Plus, the latest key travel rewards updates.

When can you visit national parks for free, and what...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Best Travel Credit Cards, Southwest Policy Changes, and Disneyland Deals

March 12, 2025 31m Episode 5
Learn which travel credit cards might be best for you, plus news about major policy changes at Southwest.

Which travel credit card is the best travel credit card? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Get Elite Travel Perks Without Traveling Every Week or Overpaying

March 05, 2025 29m Episode 4
Learn when elite status is worth it, plus how to earn attractive airline and hotel perks even if you don’t constantly travel.

Is elite status ever worth chasing? Should you stick to one airline or...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

How to Budget for Trips: When to Book and How to Avoid Hidden Fees

February 26, 2025 30m Episode 3
Learn how to budget for travel, save on flights, and maximize credit card rewards for your next trip.

How can you budget and save money for travel? How can you maximize credit card rewards and travel...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Flight Canceled? How to Get a Refund, Rebook, or Even Travel for Free

February 19, 2025 35m Episode 2
Learn what to do if your flight is delayed or canceled, how to get compensated, and tips to avoid travel disruptions.

What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? How can you get...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Avoid These 5 Costly Travel Mistakes to Save Time, Money, and Stress

February 12, 2025 22m Episode 1
From booking flights to getting through airport security, NerdWallet’s travel pros share five costly mistakes — and how to avoid them.

Is TSA PreCheck or Global Entry worth the cost? How can you use...
Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Welcome to Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, from NerdWallet

February 05, 2025 1m
Do you need a vacation from planning your vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel, debuting Wednesday, February 12.

NerdWallet’s trusted...

About this Podcast

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