Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Episodes page 1 of 2

1. How to Choose an Airline Credit Card in 2026: Miles, Lounges and Companion Passes

   4 Nov 2026 · 49 min

   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…

2. Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's 2026 (and When to Book)

   28 Oct 2026 · 54 min

   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,…

3. Is the Southwest Companion Pass Still Worth Chasing after the 2027 Changes?

   21 Oct 2026 · 55 min

   What does Southwest's loyalty overhaul mean for the Companion Pass, elite status and credit card earning in 2027? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss Southwest's Rapid Rewards overhaul to help you figure out…

4. How to Book Business Class With Points: Award Availability Tips for Flights and Hotels

   14 Oct 2026 · 53 min

   Learn how to find award availability for hard-to-book business class flights and hotels using your points and miles to travel. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to find availability for hard-to-book…

5. How to Find Award Flights With Points: Tips From the Seats.aero Founder

   7 Oct 2026 · 56 min

   Learn how to use award travel search tools like Seats.aero to find flights you can book with points and miles. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to search for award flights across dozens of airline…

6. How to Book Flights With Points and Miles: A Beginner’s Guide

   30 Sep 2026 · 55 min

   Learn how to book your first flight with points and miles, and how to tell whether an award flight is a good deal. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the basics of booking flights with points and miles to…

7. Ten Credit Cards, One Strategy: Which Annual Fees Are Worth Paying

   23 Sep 2026 · 57 min

   Learn how to audit a wallet full of credit cards and decide which annual fees are actually worth paying. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to assess a wallet full of credit cards to help you figure out…

8. Chris Hutchins' Top Points and Miles Tips, Straight From “All the Hacks”

   16 Sep 2026 · 1 h 16 min

   All the Hacks podcast host Chris Hutchins reveals his tricks for finding hidden discounts and getting real value out of points and miles — without the headache. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss practical…

9. Is Bank of America Still Worth It for Travelers? New BofA Rewards Rules Explained

   9 Sep 2026 · 44 min

   Learn how Bank of America's revamped rewards program could quietly cut how much cardholders earn back. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss Bank of America's overhauled BofA Rewards program to help you figure…

10. Best Credit Cards for Dining Rewards in 2026: How to Earn More at Restaurants

    2 Sep 2026 · 56 min

    Learn how to earn more restaurant rewards, and whether paying extra for a premium card's dining credit is worth it. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to make the most of credit card rewards on restaurant…

11. How to Coupon Your Way Around the World, with Torok Coupon Hunter

    26 Aug 2026 · 1 h 04 min

    Coupon queen Kiersti Torok reveals how everyday savings on gas, groceries and gift cards can fund your next trip. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk to Kiersti Torok — known online as Torok Coupon Hunter — about…

12. Bilt to Last? Grading Bilt Rewards Six Months On

    19 Aug 2026 · 1 h 03 min

    Learn what six months of confusing changes to Bilt's rewards program have actually meant for cardholders' points. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss six months of living with Bilt's revamped rewards program…

13. Finding Cheap Flights, Mastering Layovers, and Knowing Your Card’s Benefits (Put to the Test!)

    12 Aug 2026 · 52 min

    Learn how to handle a surprise layover and track down a cheap flight to a random destination. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to think fast when travel plans go sideways to help you handle curveballs…

14. Ask the Nerds: Booking Traps, Transfer Optimization and Card Strategy

    5 Aug 2026 · 46 min

    Learn how to stretch modest points balances into business-class flights, and safer spending abroad. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle answer travel questions from listeners to help you make smarter points, transfer…

15. The 7 Things Our Travel Pros Insist On Packing

    29 Jul 2026 · 45 min

    Learn which packing essentials two travel experts swear by, plus how to time your Labor Day trip for fewer crowds. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the gear they just won’t travel without, to help you pack…

16. What to Ask Your Hotel Concierge: Free Upgrades, Insider Deals, and What Most Travelers Miss

    22 Jul 2026 · 48 min

    Learn what hotel concierges can do for your next stay, from getting free upgrades to saving you money. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French explore what hotel concierges could do for your next stay. But first, they…

17. Is an Alaska Cruise Actually Worth It? We Went to Find Out

    15 Jul 2026 · 1 h 03 min

    *The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. It has been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality. Is an Alaskan cruise really a trip for everyone — even people who swear they hate cruises?…

18. Your Flight Got Canceled. Here's How to Beat Summer's Worst Travel Chaos

    8 Jul 2026 · 53 min

    Your flight was canceled. Now what? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share their go-to strategies for beating summer flight delays and cancellations, from booking the first flight of the day to knowing which…

19. The ADHD Traveler's Guide to Airport Security, Budgeting and Staying on Schedule

    1 Jul 2026 · 59 min

    Learn how ADHD shapes travel decisions, and the strategies that turn travel stress into a strength. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to make travel less stressful for ADHD brains, with tips to help you…

20. Best Credit Cards for Weddings: Turn Venue Bills Into Honeymoon Flights and Hotel Nights

    24 Jun 2026 · 59 min

    Find out which credit cards could turn your wedding costs into a business class honeymoon. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the best credit cards for wedding expenses and how to use the points you earn to…

21. The Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Countries: What $300 a Day in Madagascar Really Buys You

    17 Jun 2026 · 58 min

    Learn what it really costs to honeymoon in one of the world's least-visited countries and how to get there on points. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French share what it actually costs to honeymoon in one of the world's…

22. Unpacking the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Biggest Update in Five Years: What You Need to Know

    10 Jun 2026 · 41 min

    Learn how the Chase Sapphire Preferred's biggest refresh in years could change how you earn and redeem travel points. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French break down the latest travel headlines, including Delta's…

23. Earn More Points on Purchases You Already Make: Online Shopping, Dining, Rideshares and More

    3 Jun 2026 · 52 min

    Learn how to earn more points and miles on everyday shopping using portals, dining programs, and partner apps. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the sometimes-overlooked ways you could earn bonus points and…

24. Summer Travel 2026: How to Time Your Trip, Pick Your Destination, and Actually Save Money

    27 May 2026 · 39 min

    Learn how summer 2026 travel costs are rising and which booking strategies could help you save money this season. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss what's driving up summer travel costs in 2026 and how to…

25. Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners

    26 May 2026 · 2:33 · Bonus

    Meet Your Next Dollar, a new podcast from NerdWallet Wealth Partners. This is the podcast for you if you are a high earner learning how to build wealth, navigate money trade-offs, and spend on what you actually value.…

26. World of Hyatt Award Chart Changes 2026: What's New and Where to Get the Most Value

    20 May 2026 · 53 min

    Learn how the new World of Hyatt award chart changes your points value and which hotels are still worth booking. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into the sweeping changes to the World of Hyatt award chart to…

27. How to Travel Without Paying for a Hotel: Inside Home Swapping and Pet Sitting Apps

    13 May 2026 · 1 h 09 min

    Learn how to travel for less by swapping homes or pet sitting with strangers around the world. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how house swapping and house sitting can cut your lodging costs to help you…

28. Family Travel on Points, Solo Trip Ideas, and Booking Tools Compared: Your Travel Questions Answered

    6 May 2026 · 44 min

    Learn how to maximize Chase points for family Hawaii trips, travel with infants, and pick the right rewards card. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French dig into a mailbag of listener questions covering points strategy,…

29. The Best Travel Credit Cards With Annual Fees Under $100

    29 Apr 2026 · 58 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…

30. How Airline Alliance Status Gets You Into the World's Best Airport Lounges for Free

    23 Apr 2026 · 46 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…

31. Family Travel on Points and Miles: Free Checked Bags, Companion Passes, and Miles Pooling

    15 Apr 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…

32. Traveling with Pets: How to Put Your Paws on the Best Airlines and Hotels for Furry Family Members

    8 Apr 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…

33. How to Spend Less on Big Sports Trips in 2026: FIFA World Cup 2026, PGA Championship and More

    1 Apr 2026 · 1 h 00 min

    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…

34. Rental Cars in 2026: How to Skip the Counter, Cut Costs, and Avoid Insurance Mistakes

    25 Mar 2026 · 55 min

    Learn how to skip rental car lines, lower costs, and avoid pricey insurance mistakes on your next trip. When should you rent at the airport, and when should you skip a car entirely? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle…

35. Before You Book a Ski Trip, Learn How to Save on Mountain Hotels, Ski Rentals and Lift Tickets

    18 Mar 2026 · 48 min

    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…

36. Travel Questions Mega-Episode: Top Tips from Our Top Listener Questions

    11 Mar 2026 · 1 h 01 min

    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…

37. Don’t Get “Noob Taxed”: The Travel Add-Ons That Drain Your Budget

    4 Mar 2026 · 40 min

    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…

38. 25 Airports in 6 Months: The Real Lessons From JetBlue’s 350,000-Point Challenge

    25 Feb 2026 · 54 min

    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…

39. Mediterranean Cruise Game Plan: Santorini, Mykonos, and the Greek Islands Without Transit Chaos

    18 Feb 2026 · 58 min

    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…

40. 2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily

    11 Feb 2026 · 50 min

    Learn what 2026 status program changes mean for perks like upgrades, rebooking help, and lounges. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk through the latest elite status updates to help you decide when they’re worth…

41. Credit Card Hotel Programs vs Booking Direct: A Clearer Way to Compare Prices

    4 Feb 2026 · 52 min

    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…

42. What Would You Do for a Million Miles? The Extreme Points Play from Ashley Gets Around

    28 Jan 2026 · 51 min

    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…

43. Bilt Card 2.0 Explained: Can Rent (or a Mortgage) Earn Points—and Is It Worth the Math?

    21 Jan 2026 · 52 min

    Find out if Bilt’s new credit cards are worth the hassle for earning points on rent or a mortgage. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive deep into the Bilt Card 2.0 Program to explain what’s changed and what to…

44. Fix Your Travel Credit Card Mix So Your Points Actually Add Up

    14 Jan 2026 · 36 min

    Build a credit card lineup that earns more travel rewards without becoming a full-time spreadsheet manager. In this special video episode, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to build the perfect travel…

45. Samantha Brown on Places to Love, Route 66, and the Travel Habits That Save You Money

    7 Jan 2026 · 47 min

    Travel TV icon Samantha Brown shares tips for finding hidden gems, saving money, and dodging airport stress. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle sit down with Samantha Brown, host of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,…

46. 2025 Travel Trends and 2026 Predictions: Where to Go Next and How to Pay for It

    31 Dec 2025 · 43 min

    If 2025 was about premium everything and complicated travel perks, 2026 is shaping up to be more intentional: fewer trips, less algorithm-chasing, more ease — and spending where it actually improves your experience.…

47. Skip Google, Get the Suite: How Travel Advisors Deliver Luxury You Can’t Book Yourself

    24 Dec 2025 · 26 min

    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 booking travel…

48. What “Amazing Race” Host Phil Keoghan Learned from a Life of Travel (“Powering Travel” Episode)

    17 Dec 2025 · 25 min

    “Amazing Race” host Phil Keoghan shares what he’s learned from his life of travel in this special presentation of “Powering Travel” from Expedia Group. In an inspired conversation about the lessons he’s learned from a…

49. Best and Worst Carriers for Standby and Same-Day Changes — and How to Capitalize (Video Episode)

    10 Dec 2025 · 34 min

    Learn how same-day flight changes and standby can save you money when your travel plans suddenly change. In this special video episode, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive into last-minute travel rules, exploring…

50. Maximizing Miles, Sharing Points, Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Your Travel Questions Answered

    3 Dec 2025 · 32 min

    We answer listener questions about travel insurance, Chase point transfers, lounge access, free checked bags, and more. Host Sally French opens the episode with the week’s biggest travel headlines alongside Elizabeth…