Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

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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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. 
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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.
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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. 
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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 chasing. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the U.K.’s electronic travel authorization (ETA) enforcement starting Feb. 25, 2026, a Hawaiian Airlines credit card giveaway offering chances to win 1 million points, Disney’s leadership change and new earnings highlights, and signs that luxury travel demand may be softening in 2026.

Then, joined by fellow travel Nerd Benjamin Din, they discuss what’s changing for airline and hotel elite status in 2026, including how status is increasingly tied to spending and credit cards, when a status match challenge can be a shortcut, and how to choose a program based on your home airport and travel patterns. They also dig into updates across major programs including Southwest, American, United, and JetBlue, in addition to hotel shifts at Hilton, Hyatt, and Choice. Plus: what it really takes to earn United’s Million Miler milestone, including how lifetime status can change the way you book flights and hotels.

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


5 Things to Know About the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard 


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


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


Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price 


World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost 


United Club Infinite Review: $695 Fee May Still Lure Lounge Lovers 


IHG One Rewards Premier Review: Free Nights on a Silver Platter 


Best Airline Credit Cards of February 2026


Best Hotel Credit Cards of February 2026 

Resources discussed in this episode:


Airline Credit Cards That Offer Free Checked Bags


Which Credit Card Is Best for International Award Travel?


The 5 Best Credit Cards with Hotel Status

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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