Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

76 episodes

The Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Countries: What $300 a Day in Madagascar Really Buys You
06/17/2026 | 58 mins.
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 least-visited countries. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits that went live June 15th, a full Wyndham Rewards card family refresh that added a brand-new premium card, why airfares are up more than 26% year-over-year amid broader travel price increases, and highlights from AAA's new Five Diamond Hotels list.

Then, they discuss Sally's Madagascar honeymoon from every angle, with tips on whether a group tour could be the right call for destinations with little tourist infrastructure, why countries with the lowest cost of living can be among the most expensive places to visit, and how to score business class seats on Ethiopian Airlines for 80,000 United miles to one of the farthest destinations from San Francisco on earth. They also feature an interview with Madagascar guide Zu Rakuthu Nirina and answer a listener’s question about using 176,000 United miles for flights from SFO to Singapore.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

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

5 Things to Know About the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

Wyndham Credit Cards Get a Glow-Up and a New Premium Sibling

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Review: Solid Rewards and Perks for Loyalists

Wyndham Rewards Earner Credit Card Review: Ideal for Frugal Travelers

Resources discussed in this episode:

PointsYeah Award Search Review: A Great Tool for Points Collectors

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
Unpacking the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Biggest Update in Five Years: What You Need to Know
06/10/2026 | 40 mins.
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 expanded free checked bag perk, a new ride-hailing credit on select Delta cards, a second Delta One Lounge coming to LAX, World of Hyatt's new 12-month advance booking window for cardholders and elite members, and two changes hitting Atmos Rewards members.

Then, they dig into the Chase Sapphire Preferred's first major overhaul in five years. The annual fee is staying at $95 but the card is getting new benefits, updated earning categories, and some trade-offs worth knowing about. Meghan and Sally walk through every change, weigh the pros and cons, and compare the Preferred to other travel cards to help you figure out whether it still deserves a spot in your wallet.

*In this episode, we misstated how the new $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit applies to existing cardholders. Existing cardholders received an additional $50 credit on June 15, 2026 for their anniversary year.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

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

World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost

Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers

Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee

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

Citi Strata Premier: Big Rewards Across Top Spending Categories

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

Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get

Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee

Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Review: Good for Travel and Gas

Resources discussed in this episode:

Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners: A Complete Guide

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
Earn More Points on Purchases You Already Make: Online Shopping, Dining, Rideshares and More
06/03/2026 | 52 mins.
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 miles on purchases you're already making. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including new summer airfare price drop data from Kayak's updated trends dashboard, T-Mobile Tuesday deals with travel perks for June, Hilton's new college-themed hotel brand called Undergraduate, and the opening of Alaska Airlines' renovated lounge at Portland International Airport.

Then, Meghan and Sally dig into online shopping portals, explaining how tools like Rakuten, airline-specific portals (including American's AAdvantage eShopping, which earns loyalty points toward elite status), hotel booking platforms like Gondola, and the up-and-coming Rove Miles program could help you stack rewards on top of your credit card earnings. They also cover airline dining programs, brand partnerships with Uber, Lyft, and Starbucks, and the aggregator Cashback Monitor so you can see at a glance which portal offers the best rate for any retailer.

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

Choice Privileges Mastercard: Useful Bonus Categories, No Annual Fee

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard: Piles of Points for a $95 Annual Fee

Bilt Blue Card: Complex Housing Rewards, Modest Everyday Ones

Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing

Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary

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

American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families

Resources discussed in this episode:

Inside the New Portland Alaska Lounge: A Treehouse in the Forest

Best Credit Card Bonuses for New Cardholders of June 2026

Credit Card Transfer Partners At a Glance

The Capital One Shopping Portal Is Changing How I Book Travel

The Guide to Rove Miles

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
Summer Travel 2026: How to Time Your Trip, Pick Your Destination, and Actually Save Money
05/27/2026 | 38 mins.
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 plan smarter despite them. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including what American Express's new partnership with Fanatics could mean for sports fans and points collectors, a new Bilt deal allowing certain cardholders to earn miles on rent payments with Air France/KLM and Alaska Atmos, major updates at Disney World and Disneyland, and findings from Expedia's summer travel report on the return of last-minute booking.

Then, Meghan and Sally dig into the full picture of summer travel in 2026, with tips and tricks on when airfares and hotel prices hit their seasonal floor, which domestic and international destinations are trending this summer, and how to decide whether spending points or paying cash makes more sense when prices are climbing fast.

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

Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card

5 Things to Know About the Air France-KLM Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/air-france-klm-credit-card

Fanatics Rewards Card from American Express https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/amex-fanatics-to-partner-on-credit-card

Resources discussed in this episode:

How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations

2026 Summer Travel Report: 42% Would Rather Stay Home Than Book Budget Travel https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/studies/summer-travel-report

The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/best-days-book-flight-fly

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
Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners
05/26/2026 | 2 mins.
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.

Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: ⁠https://play.megaphone.fm/a4ijxxsst1inho456fxbha⁠

Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit ⁠⁠nerdwalletwealthpartners.com⁠⁠

NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About 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/

Podcast website

Business Education Places & Travel Society & Culture

Listen to Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, Digital Social Hour and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

Stations and podcasts to bookmark
Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Supports Carplay & Android Auto
Many other app features

Open app

Get the free radio.net app

Stations and podcasts to bookmark
Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Supports Carplay & Android Auto
Many other app features

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Scan code,
download the app,
start listening.