Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Learn how to save on flights, hotels, and tickets when you travel for major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, the PGA Championship, or the Olympics. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the ins and outs of planning travel for major sporting events. But first, Sally breaks down this week’s headlines with producer Tess Vigeland, including what TSA’s long-delayed pay could mean for airport security lines, Sally’s experience using Touchless ID at JFK, United’s new Dreamliner cabins and Relax Row seats, United’s MileagePlus earning changes, Bilt adding Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner, and new Royal Caribbean cruise credit cards. Then, Sally and Meghan discuss how to travel for sporting events without going broke, with tips and tricks on when to stay farther from the venue, how to use public transit and alternate airports, when vacation packages can beat booking everything separately, how to think about ticket presales and premium card perks, and when it might be smarter to skip the stadium and enjoy the fan festivities instead. They also look ahead to the FIFA World Cup, the PGA Championship, Formula 1 races, the NBA All-Star Game, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and future Super Bowls. Plus: they answer a listener’s question about cash-back cards versus points cards. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review: 2% Cash Back With a Bonus Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits 10 Things to Know About the AmEx Centurion Black Card Resources discussed in this episode: First Look: United’s Most Premium Plane With Polaris Studios United Makes Major Changes to Miles Earning Rates 28 Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 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

They unpack travel headlines like TSA staffing woes, credit card portal changes, and airline-hotel partnerships. Then they dive into 2026 rental-car trends, booking tactics like book-early/reprice-later, and pros and cons of airport versus city pickup. Learn ways to skip the counter, when EVs help or hurt, which card perks matter for coverage, and alternatives like Turo, Zipcar, and public transit.

Learn how to cut the cost of a ski trip before lift tickets, rentals and parking wipe out your budget. How do you keep a ski trip from blowing your whole vacation budget? When should you buy a season pass instead of a day ticket? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to save on ski and snowboarding trips to help you plan a cheaper mountain getaway. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Marriott’s more-flexible free night certificates, bigger Marriott welcome offers, rising fuel surcharges that could push airfare higher, and what the new Ikon Pass prices mean for next ski season. Then, fellow travel Nerd Craig Joseph joins Meghan and Sally to discuss ski trip costs, with tips and tricks on choosing between season passes and day tickets, lowering rental, lodging and parking costs, and using points, hotel stays and credit card perks to offset the price of a mountain vacation. They also discuss whether skiing in Europe can actually cost less than skiing in the U.S., what non-skiers can do on a snow trip from tubing to ice skating, and what to look for in a credit card if you’re flying with skis or a snowboard. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Review: Free Night Award, Elite Status https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/marriott-bonvoy-boundless  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Review: Luxurious Benefits, Price Tag to Match https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant  Capital One Savor Review: Foodie-Focused Rewards, for No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/capital-one-savor  Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/bilt-palladium  Capital One Venture X Review: A Steal of a Deal Among Premium Cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/capital-one-venture-x  Resources discussed in this episode: The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/top-rewards-credit-card-offers  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

Fast-packed answers on lounges, Disney credit card perks, cruise options for solo travelers, and how to handle long layovers. Practical talk on Wyndham upgrades, Priority Pass choices at SFO, and whether premium economy is the underrated sweet spot. Card comparisons, transfer partners, and when to use airport vs. city time on a Singapore layover round out the listener Q&A.

Learn how to avoid common travel upsells that drain your budget, from cruise add-ons to sneaky foreign card charges. In this video episode, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down travel “noob traps” to help you spot pricey add-ons before you click “book.” But first, they cover the latest travel headlines, including Chase adding Wyndham as a new transfer partner, Skyscanner launching flight search inside ChatGPT, Kayak’s spring break airfare trends, and new airport lounge openings at LAX and Las Vegas. They also flag a NerdWallet story from Craig Joseph digging deeper into the Chase-to-Wyndham transfer news. Then, they dive into the most common “noob traps” that can quietly inflate your trip total, including cruise specialty dining, attraction photo packages, room service sticker shock, early check-in fees, and dynamic currency conversion abroad. They also discuss when travel insurance add-ons can be worth it (and when they can disappoint), why timeshare presentations and pricey hotel activities can backfire, what to know about cell phone roaming charges, and how “convenience” offers can cost more than you expect. 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 https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum  Resources discussed in this episode: Chase Points Now Transfer to Wyndham, but Better Options Exist https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/chase-ultimate-rewards-adds-wyndham-rewards  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

JetBlue’s 25-for-25 sounded simple: fly to 25 airports. Hear what three finishers learned chasing 350,000 points. Before delving into the JetBlue story, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the latest travel headlines, including big United MileagePlus changes that kick in April 2, 2026, Hyatt updates that could reshape what award nights cost, Alaska’s Atmos Rewards Global Getaways promotion, Spirit’s new Free Spirit® debit card, and major national parks changing some reservation requirements in summer 2026. Then, Meghan talks with three guests who completed JetBlue’s 25 for 25 challenge, including Kathleen Wilson, Ben Kim, and Alyssa Mala, travel blogger at Do You Have Fly-Fi and co-host of the Blue Did It 25 for 25 community celebration. They dig into the real-world logistics of chasing 25 airports in six months, what made certain routes and tiny airports unexpectedly memorable, and how a group chat turned strangers into friends — right up to a snowstorm-hit meetup at JFK’s TWA Hotel.  Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: United Explorer Review: Richer Rewards, Perks You’ll Actually Use United Club Infinite Review: $695 Fee May Still Lure Lounge Lovers United Gateway Card Review: A No-Annual-Fee Ticket to Airline Miles World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost Resources discussed in this episode: Best United Airlines Credit Cards of March 2026 United Makes Major Changes to Miles Earning Rates The Complete Guide to World of Hyatt: Points, Status & Strategy The Guide to Atmos Rewards 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

Learn how you can explore the Mediterranean without losing days to ferries, hotel check-ins, or pricey islands. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss Mediterranean trip planning to help you link coastal cities and islands without wasting precious vacation time. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Southwest adding Starlink Wi-Fi, JetBlue and United expanding the Blue Sky partnership for booking and redemptions, and spring break travel trends. Producer Tess Vigeland also joins to share lessons from a trip to Spain gone wrong, including how EU flight delay compensation works and what to update in Global Entry after you get a new passport.  Next, Sally and Meghan dig into what makes traveling the Mediterranean tricky, from fragmented routes to language barriers and currencies, and talk through when a cruise can simplify island-hopping. Sally shares her port-heavy trip on Norwegian Cruise Line Viva with her husband, Hamilton, before she and Meghan spotlight can’t-miss stops like Cinque Terre, Sardinia, Kotor, Marseille and the French Riviera, Zadar, and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. Plus: where to look for surprisingly affordable luxury stays in places like Istanbul, Crete, and Montenegro. 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 https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum  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

Benjamin Dinn, a NerdWallet travel writer who chases elite status and United Million Miler, breaks down 2026 changes to airline and hotel loyalty. He highlights shifts toward spending and credit-card routes to perks. Short, clear takes cover which programs changed, status match shortcuts, and how home airports shape which status is worth pursuing.

Get a clearer way to compare hotel prices with and without credit card program perks. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss when it makes sense to book luxury hotels through credit card travel portals so you can decide if perks like breakfast, upgrades and $100 credits are actually worth the tradeoffs. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Disney Inspire Visa from Chase, an American Express transfer-ratio change to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, new Centurion Lounge access limits starting July 8, and a new round of airline competition at Chicago O’Hare after comments from United CEO Scott Kirby. Then, joined by fellow travel Nerd Craig Joseph, they unpack a NerdWallet analysis comparing prices when booking directly vs. booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, Amex The Hotel Collection, and Chase’s The Edit. They discuss what to check before you click “book,” how to think about the real value of “free” breakfast and property credits, and how points, statement credits and loyalty numbers can change the math — especially when you’re dealing with prepaid rates and limited hotel 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 Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum  Chase Freedom Review: Legacy Card’s 5% Categories Endure https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-freedom  Disney Visa: Perks in the Park but Not in Your Wallet https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-visa  Disney Premier Visa: Missing the Magic https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-premier-visa  Amazon Prime Visa Review: Perhaps the Ultimate Store Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/amazon-prime-rewards  Target Circle Credit Card Review: 5% Discount and No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/target-redcard  New Disney Inspire Credit Card: Valuable Credits Offset $149 Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/disney-inspire-credit-card-big-fee-bigger-credits  Resources discussed in this episode: Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Hotel Credit Just Got an ‘Edit’ https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-the-edit-hotel-credit  AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection: Worth the Price? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/amex-fhr-thc-worth-it  Are Chase’s The Edit Hotels Worth It? Here’s What the Data Says https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/chase-the-edit-hotels-worth-It  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

Learn how a points pro mapped a six-continent route to score 1 million Turkish Airlines miles. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk to Ashley Peterson, founder of Ashley Gets Around, about how she became a “points millionaire” while traveling across the globe. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including winter storm flight cancellations and airline waivers, new restrictions and options tied to Bilt Cash, Citi ThankYou Rewards dropping Aeromexico as a transfer partner, upcoming Capital One lounge access changes for authorized users, and Hilton’s new Apartment Collection. Then, Meghan talks to Ashley Peterson about Turkish Airlines’ six-continent promo that earned her 1 million miles. They discuss what it takes to plan a “wackadoodle” route, how starting outside the U.S. and switching airports can change the price, and what to watch for with business-class seat setups and redemption rules once the miles finally hit your account. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Capital One Venture X Review: A Steal of a Deal Among Premium Cards Capital One Venture X Business: A Premium Business Travel Card Worth the Annual Fee Bilt Card From Wells Fargo: No Longer Available, but New Versions Coming Bilt’s 3 New Cards Earn Rewards on Housing, But It’s Complicated Resources discussed in this episode: The Guide to Bilt Transfer Partners 5 Best Credit Card Points Programs and Who They Partner With Venture X Card to Drop Free Lounge Access for Guests, Authorized Users Smart Travel Episode about Bilt’s new cards 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