Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

68 episodios

The Best Travel Credit Cards With Annual Fees Under $100
29/04/2026 | 57 min
Learn how travel credit cards with annual fees under $100 can earn you free flights, hotel nights, and perks.

Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss travel credit cards with annual fees under $100 to help you earn meaningful rewards without splurging on a premium card. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Hyatt's award chart changes taking effect May 20, Disney's 2026 Halloween event dates, expiring welcome offers on the Disney Inspire and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards, new Chase Sapphire Reserve perks at The Edit collection hotels, and the Trump administration's potential bailout of Spirit Airlines.

Then, they discuss why a sub-$100 annual fee card can punch well above its weight for the right traveler. They break down their picks across four categories: cards for travel spending, everyday spending, hotel co-brands, and airline co-brands. You'll get tips on free night certificates, statement credits, and transfer partners, plus when these cards genuinely compete with premium options.

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

Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution

Chase Freedom Flex: Multiple Bonus Rewards in One Card

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card Review

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers

Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card: Premium Credits, With a Few Caveats

Capital One Venture Review: Easy Earnings, Effortless Redemptions

Capital One Venture X Review: A Steal of a Deal Among Premium Cards

Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Review: Premier Perks Abound

IHG One Rewards Premier Review: Free Nights on a Silver Platter

World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Credit Card Review

Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year

JetBlue Plus Review: Bundle of Benefits, Reasonable Fee

Disney Inspire Visa: A Whole New World of Generous Benefits

Resources discussed in this episode:

Hyatt's New Award Chart Raises Points Prices for Most Nights

A First Look at MSC World America: A Family-Friendly Cruise

The Guide to Wells Fargo Transfer Partners

The Guide to Bilt Transfer Partners

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
How Airline Alliance Status Gets You Into the World's Best Airport Lounges for Free
23/04/2026 | 45 min
Learn how earning status with one airline can unlock lounges and elite perks on more than a dozen other airlines worldwide.

First, host Meghan Coyle breaks down the week’s top travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sally French), including a new Google Hotels feature that lets you track prices on a specific hotel (not just a city), Wells Fargo adding Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner, Air New Zealand’s controversial new Skynest bunk bed cabin, Chase expanding its Plum Guide vacation rental program to Sapphire cardholders, Hilton’s new apartment-style properties, and Norse Atlantic canceling Los Angeles flights amid rising fuel costs.

Then, Sally joins Meghan for a conversation with Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at the OneWorld Airline Alliance. They explore how airline alliance membership can elevate every trip you take, with tips and insights on how OneWorld’s Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald elite status tiers work across all 15 member airlines, which world-class airport lounges you can access as a OneWorld elite member, and what Hawaiian Airlines’ new membership in the Alliance means for your miles and travel experience.

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® Card Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-preferred

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-autograph

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-autograph-journey

Resources discussed in this episode:

Wells Fargo Transfer Partners: What to Know https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/wells-fargo-transfer-partners

Air New Zealand's Skynest Bunk Beds Are Coming This Fall https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/air-new-zealand-skynest-launch

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
The Secret Perk You're Not Using: How One Airline's Status Gets You Into Lounges Across 15 Airlines
22/04/2026 | 45 min
Learn how earning status with one airline can unlock lounges and elite perks on 14 other airlines worldwide.

First, host Meghan Coyle breaks down the week’s top travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sally French), including a new Google Hotels feature that lets you track prices on a specific hotel (not just a city), Wells Fargo adding Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner, Air New Zealand’s controversial new Skynest bunk bed cabin, Chase expanding its Plum Guide vacation rental program to Sapphire cardholders, Hilton’s new apartment-style properties, and Norse Atlantic canceling Los Angeles flights amid rising fuel costs.

Then, Sally joins Meghan for a conversation with Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at the OneWorld Airline Alliance. They explore how airline alliance membership can elevate every trip you take, with tips and insights on how OneWorld’s Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald elite status tiers work across all 15 member airlines, which world-class airport lounges you can access as a OneWorld elite member, and what Hawaiian Airlines’ new membership in the Alliance means for your miles and travel experience.

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® Card Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-preferred

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-autograph

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-autograph-journey

Resources discussed in this episode:

Wells Fargo Transfer Partners: What to Know https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/wells-fargo-transfer-partners

Air New Zealand's Skynest Bunk Beds Are Coming This Fall https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/air-new-zealand-skynest-launch

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
Family Travel on Points and Miles: Free Checked Bags, Companion Passes, and Miles Pooling
15/04/2026 | 46 min
Learn how families can use points and miles to fly, earn companion passes, and book hotels without paying full price.

Before delving into the ins and outs of family travel, hosts Meghan Coyle and Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sally French) break down the latest travel headlines, including an increase in checked bag fees across all four major U.S. airlines, American Airlines stripping elite status perks from basic economy bookings, Rove Miles adding new transfer partners, Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady arriving in Los Angeles for West Coast sailings, and Tess's long-awaited — and ultimately successful — effort to get a refund from Iberia Airlines after a delayed flight in Spain.

Then, Sally joins Meghan for a discussion with Erin Hurd, points expert and NerdWallet's director of travel, about how families can travel on points without losing their minds. Erin shares tips and tricks on flying babies and toddlers affordably, using family miles pooling programs to combine points across household members, earning companion passes to stretch your travel budget further, and booking hotels strategically when you need connecting rooms or extra space.

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

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Review: Modest Perks, Big Bonus

American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits

Bank of America Premium Rewards Review: Big Bonuses for B of A’s Best Customers

Is the New Alaska Atmos Summit Card Worth a $395 Annual Fee?

Resources discussed in this episode:

The Guide to Rove Miles

Top Airline Credit Cards With Companion Tickets

My Favorite Tools for Booking Cheap Travel

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
Traveling with Pets: How to Put Your Paws on the Best Airlines and Hotels for Furry Family Members
08/04/2026 | 58 min
Learn what it really takes to fly and stay somewhere with your pet, from carrier rules to hidden fees.

Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the best airlines and hotels for traveling with pets to help you avoid hidden fees and stressed-out animals. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including elevated welcome offers on Hilton co-branded cards expiring April 15, new signup bonuses on the Atmos Rewards cards from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines' new international business class launching from Seattle, upcoming American Express Centurion Lounge openings in Boston and Charlotte and an expansion at Dallas Fort Worth, Amex dropping Etihad as a transfer partner, Southwest Rapid Rewards cardholders now earning up to 5x points on Lyft rides, and new JetBlue TrueBlue redemption options for travel fees including pet travel.

Then, joined by traveler Jana Kate, who has brought her dog Poquito on trips across Europe, they discuss the real costs and logistics of traveling with pets, with tips and tricks on choosing the right airline and hotel for your pet, navigating fees that can vary per night versus per stay, and what to know before you book with a furry companion in tow.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Hilton AmEx Surpass Review: Credits Can Offset the High Fee

Hilton AmEx Review: Solid Rewards for No Annual Fee

Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price

Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year

Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Unique as They Are Valuable

Southwest Priority Card Review: Pay More, Get More

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Review: Modest Perks, Big Bonus

Southwest Premier Credit Card Review: The Middle Seat of Cards

Resources discussed in this episode:

The Best Airlines for Flying With Pets in 2026

Best Hotels for Pets in 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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Acerca de 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/

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