Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

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

  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 for travel? How do you transfer points to airlines or hotels to get the most value? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss top redemptions across Chase, AmEx, and Capital One to help you stretch your points for luxury flights, high-end hotels, and memorable experiences. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Bilt Rewards adding Southwest as a transfer partner, Citi devaluing transfer ratios for Emirates Skywards, JetBlue allowing point redemptions for Japan Airlines, Chase Travel now listing cruise itineraries online, and a new Disney World dining deal that lets kids eat free when bundled with resort stays. Then, Benjamin Din, lead travel writer at NerdWallet, joins Sally and Meghan to discuss how to make the most of 100,000 credit card points. They share tips for booking premium cabins on airlines like Lufthansa, ANA, and Virgin Atlantic, scoring great hotel stays with Hyatt and Choice Privileges, and stacking perks like complimentary breakfast, resort credits, and early park access through AmEx’s Fine Hotels & Resorts collection. Whether you’re planning a European getaway, a theme park weekend, or an all-inclusive escape, this episode explores flexible, high-value ways to use your points strategically. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Citi Strata Premier Review Chase Sapphire Preferred Review Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card Review American Express Platinum Review Resources discussed in this episode: Cruises Now Searchable on Chase’s Travel Portal  11 Things to Do with 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points  Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios: The Best Way To Use The Amex $200 Hotel Credit  5 Best Ways to Use Delta SkyMiles  5 Best Credit Card Points Programs and Who They Partner With In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: best travel credit card redemptions, Chase Ultimate Rewards Hyatt transfer, Capital One transfer partners, American Express fine hotels and resorts, best hotel redemptions with points, using AmEx points for Universal hotels, Lufthansa first class on points, ANA first class with points, best transfer partners for credit card points, Hyatt award chart, Virgin Atlantic upper class points, flying blue promo rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan redemptions, Iberia Avios business class, Choice Privileges points value, hotel points vs flight points, Bilt rewards southwest transfer, Citi Emirates transfer ratio, JetBlue Japan Airlines points, cruises with Chase points, AmEx Platinum hotel perks, vacation rentals with points, Virgin Red vs Virgin Atlantic, British Airways Avios redemptions, Delta SkyMiles deals, redeem points for Europe flights, stackable Disney deals 2026, Universal Studios hotel rewards, Marriott vs Hyatt redemptions, award travel sweet spots, short haul Avios flights, and theme park travel rewards.

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

  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 program? What are your options if you no longer want to pay the annual fee on a travel card you’ve held for years? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to get the most value from your travel rewards and what to do when a credit card no longer fits your needs. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including free Wi-Fi rolling out on American, Delta, and United flights, how to prepare for the fast-approaching Real ID deadline, a $40 status match deal between Southwest and Frontier, and how demand for international flights and premium seats is shaping airline strategies. Then, Meghan and Sally discuss point transfer strategies, with tips and tricks on comparing portal vs. partner redemptions, understanding transfer ratios and bonuses, and choosing the right partner based on your destination. Then, Meghan and Sally discuss how to keep your credit history intact when a card’s annual fee no longer feels worth it. They explore how to downgrade a card, when to ask for a retention offer, and what to expect when calling your issuer to explore product changes. This show references limited-time offers from the following programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards® (expires April 30, 2025) American Express Membership Rewards (expires April 30, 2025) Citi ThankYou® Points (expires May 17, 2025) For up-to-date offers, see NerdWallet’s list of current transfer bonuses: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/credit-card-transfer-bonuses  Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our review: American Express Gold Card Review: https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-premier-rewards-gold  Here are links to resources mentioned in this episode: The Real ID Alternatives Travelers Might Already Have: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/the-real-id-alternatives-travelers-might-already-have  How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2025? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations  Sign up for NerdWallet’s new free travel newsletter by April 30, 2025, and you’ll be entered to win a FREE 1:1 travel strategy coaching session: https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel-newsletter  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: credit card point transfers, best travel transfer partners, airline point transfer bonuses, hotel point transfer bonuses, how to downgrade a credit card, keeping credit history, avoiding credit card annual fees, travel portal vs transfer partner, how much are credit card points worth, best points redemptions, credit card reward strategies, transfer bonus deadlines, NerdWallet point valuations, what is a transfer ratio, credit card sweet spots, how to book flights with points, hotel loyalty programs, how to book hotels with points, airline alliances and point transfers, free airline Wi-Fi trends, Real ID flight deadline, Points Path Chrome plugin, and award flight search tools.

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

  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 comfort or memorable experiences? How do you continue earning meaningful travel rewards after you've maxed out your credit card welcome bonuses? Host Meghan Coyle kicks off the episode with Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sally in the news segment) with a roundup of timely travel news, including the opening of the world’s largest cruise terminal in Miami, Delta Air Lines pulling back on its 2025 growth plans, and NerdWallet’s latest Travel Price Index showing a drop in airfare, hotel, and rental car prices. Then, Meghan is joined by co-host (and bride-to-be!) Sally French for a deep dive into the real cost of attending (and hosting) a wedding. They break down how to strategically book flights and hotels, whether it’s smarter to use points or room blocks, how to handle gift expectations, and how to build a sustainable travel rewards strategy that lasts long after the honeymoon. They offer practical tips to help you travel smart and spend wisely, whether you’re walking down the aisle or just attending the afterparty. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2025? 2025 Summer Travel Report In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to save on wedding travel, cheapest days to fly, best day to book flights, wedding guest travel budget, hotel vs Airbnb wedding, when to book flights for a wedding, room block savings, using credit card points for weddings, Costco wedding cake, Delta Air Lines 2025 forecast, travel prices dropping, travel price index 2025, booking travel with points, long-term credit card rewards, best travel credit card 2025, how to avoid flight delays, affordable wedding planning, budgeting for destination weddings, travel tips for wedding season, NerdWallet travel study, Ultimate Rewards hotel transfer, platinum card no welcome offer, Amex pop-up warning, maximizing lounge access, sustainable travel rewards, using credit cards for wedding expenses, best time to book international flights, cheap airfare tips, skipping wedding gifts, travel budgeting for friends and family, booking wedding hotels with points, Airbnb group wedding travel, and how to save on wedding lodging.

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

  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 credit card travel rewards actually worth it? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the latest trends in travel spending and how the airline industry evolved into what it is today. They begin with a discussion of the latest travel updates and news, including a slowdown in U.S. travel spending, a drop in international tourism to the U.S., rising outbound international travel, and new airline partnership announcements from Fiji Airways and Icelandair. Then, Meghan talks to Ganesh Sitaraman, author of Why Flying Is Miserable: And How to Fix It, about how deregulation reshaped flying and what that means for travelers today. He discusses the rise of fortress hubs and fewer route options, how loyalty programs shifted from rewarding frequent flyers to rewarding high spenders, and what consumers can do to get the most out of their points. The episode wraps up with a listener question about whether to upgrade to the Capital One Venture X card before a big international trip, offering insights into welcome bonuses, travel credits, and airport lounge perks. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: We analyzed the value of 16 different loyalty programs' points and miles to help you make smart money moves: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: why flights are delayed more often, airline delays 2025, travel trends 2025, domestic travel slowdown, Bank of America travel spending report, international travel 2025, Fiji Airways oneworld alliance, AAdvantage loyalty program, JetBlue Icelandair partnership, airline deregulation 1978, why flying is miserable, Ganesh Sitaraman airline loyalty programs explained, how airline points work, frequent flyer programs history, airline deregulation pros and cons, airline monopoly hubs, how airline credit cards make money, co-branded airline credit cards, spend-based loyalty programs, how much airline points are worth, credit card travel perks, best card for lounge access, travel credit card welcome bonuses, Priority Pass lounge access, using points for international flights, how to get the most out of travel credit cards, airline pricing explained, how deregulation changed flying, airline pricing before and after deregulation, federal regulation of airlines, and the Department of Transportation loyalty program investigation.

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• How to Plan Smarter and Save More on Summer Travel

  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 rewards points to level up your trips? Meghan Coyle and Sally French take a deep dive into the strategies you can use to optimize your travel budget this summer, including tips on when to book flights, ways to combine rewards perks for a better (and cheaper!) trip, and how to plan if your summer travels involve a trip to a theme park. But first, Meghan and Sally discuss a new way to get Lyft credits, Southwest’s rollout of dynamic pricing, and the partnership between Marriott and MGM. Then, they talk about some of the most popular summer travel destinations, when to expect the biggest crowds during your summer vacations, what’s coming up at theme parks such as Universal and Disney, and why using standby to fly might be a good option.   Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: 2025 Summer Travel Report Chase Sapphire Reserve Adds Monthly Lyft Credit, Slashes Points Earning Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX Review Credit Cards With Elite Car Rental Perks Cheapest European Cities to Fly to in 2025 The Cheapest Time To Visit Walt Disney World The Busiest Days to Fly Around Memorial Day The Best Days to Fly Around the Fourth of July Universal Epic Universe: How to Plan Your Trip for the Opening In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: summer travel 2025, best time to book summer travel, summer vacation planning, cheap summer flights, travel tips 2025, travel hacks, Smart Travel podcast, budget travel, vacation planning tips, summer getaway ideas, travel credit cards, best travel rewards cards, credit card points, credit card rewards, how to use travel points, points and miles tips, credit card perks, Amex Platinum travel benefits, travel rewards, Hilton Aspire card, American Express Centurion Lounge access, airport lounge credit cards, stacking travel rewards, top summer destinations 2025, where to travel summer 2025, Italy travel 2025, Rome summer travel, Europe travel deals, Japan summer travel, San Juan, Puerto Rico travel, Maui travel tips, best islands to visit 2025, theme park vacations, Universal Epic Universe 2025, Disney World summer deals, Disneyland 70th anniversary, best time to book flights, when to book international travel, domestic vs international flights, cheapest days to fly, Expedia 2025 air travel hacks, price alerts for flights, summer travel booking tips, how to find travel deals, avoiding travel debt, how to save on travel, Universal Orlando new theme park, Epic Universe opening date, Harry Potter theme park, Super Nintendo World, Disney World dining plan 2025, Disney kids ticket deals, best theme parks summer 2025, family travel tips, budget-friendly family vacations, airline elite status perks, American Airlines standby policy, Delta Medallion status match, hotel status matching, MGM and Marriott rewards, travel loyalty programs, Southwest Rapid Rewards, best airline loyalty programs.

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