Cash Back vs. Points in Relationships

Get listener-powered answers on lounges, Disney cards, cruises, and layovers.

Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle kick off the first listener questions episode of 2026 with quick travel headlines, including Wyndham Rewards Member Month, the Epic Pass going on sale for the 2026–27 season, and Rove Miles adding Japan Airlines as a transfer partner. They also swap recent travel wins, from Meghan’s David Copperfield weekend in Las Vegas to Sally’s courtside Chase Sapphire Reserve experience at the Chase Center — complete with a Steph Curry jersey and a hello from former Warrior Festus Ezeli — plus a nod to past “pinch me” perks like dining with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Then they answer a wide range of travel questions from listeners. They dig into topics like whether Wyndham Diamond status can really land you a suite upgrade, how to pick the best Priority Pass lounge strategy at SFO, how to think through the cash back vs. points debate in a relationship, and how to decide if the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth it compared with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. They also cover what to do with a day layover in Singapore (and when it’s smarter to stay at the airport), which cruise lines fit solo travelers who want concierge vibes without formal nights, what to know about Royal Caribbean cabin outlets, whether the new Disney Inspire Visa Card makes sense for one big trip (and what counts toward its credits), and why premium economy might be the underrated sweet spot on long-haul flights.

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 Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards

• World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost

• 5 Things to Know: Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

• Disney Inspire Visa: A Whole New World of Generous Benefits

• Disney Premier Visa: Missing the Magic

• Disney Visa: Perks in the Park, but Not in Your Wallet

Resources discussed in this episode:

• How to Get a Business Credit Card: Who Qualifies, What You Need to Apply

• Can You Get a Business Credit Card Without a Business?

• 5 Things to Know: Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

• The Complete Guide to Wyndham Rewards Elite Status

• Priority Pass SFO: What You Need to Know

• Inside the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO

• Temporary SFO AmEx Centurion Lounge

• What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Priority Pass Lounges?

• The Best Cruise Lines (includes the Norwegian Aqua)

• How to Make the Most of Chase Sapphire Reserve

• New Rove Card Promises Travel Rewards, No Credit History Needed

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. 

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