Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

• Travel More, Stress Less: How to Build a Financial Plan That Funds Your Adventures

  Learn how to plan travel without derailing your long-term finances or your retirement goals. How can you plan travel without throwing off your long-term financial goals? How do you budget for a dream sabbatical without wrecking your savings? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to afford meaningful travel while keeping your financial future on track. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including United Airlines expanding Starlink Wi-Fi to its Boeing jets, American Airlines launching a new mid-tier credit card, JetBlue extending elite status and adding Family Tiles, Bilt’s new mortgage-points partnership with United Wholesale Mortgage, and Wyndham Rewards’ $95 annual subscription offering double-dip travel perks. Then, Meghan Coyle interviews James Bashall, a financial advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners, who shares financial insights from his experience having taken two extended sabbaticals. He explains how to integrate travel into your financial plan, with practical takeaways on aligning your spending with your values, setting short- and long-term travel budgets, and using flexibility to stay financially secure. They also discuss building an emergency fund for travel, balancing time vs. money when planning trips, and how intentional budgeting can make your dream trips possible without regret. If you want to learn more about working with a financial advisor, then visit NerdWallet Wealth Partners at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart.  Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Citi AAdvantage Globe Review: Companion Certificate Can Offset $350 Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-aadvantage-globe  Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-aadvantage-executive  Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card   Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Rare as They Are Valuable https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/atmos-rewards-summit  Resources discussed in this episode: JetBlue Adds Perks for Families, Cuts for Entry-Level Elites https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/jetblue-elite-2026-updates  NerdWallet Inc. Unpaid non-client promotion. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. Mr. Bashall serves as a financial adviser with NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC, a SEC registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of NerdWallet, Inc. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. As affiliated entities, NerdWallet, Inc. has a financial incentive to promote the advisory services offered by NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC. All investments carry some level of risk, including the potential loss of principal invested. Investment past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The views expressed are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and are current as of the date of publication. The information and opinions expressed are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific legal, tax, investment advice or recommendations for any individual or entity. This platform is solely for informational purposes and the information discussed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Before making any investment decision seek advice from a qualified investment, legal or tax professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• When to Book and Fly for Cheaper Holiday Trips in 2025

  Learn the optimal days to fly, when to book, and how to stretch your points for cheaper holiday travel. When is the prime time to book Thanksgiving and Christmas flights this year? How can you stretch points to cover pricey holiday trips? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss holiday booking windows and money-saving strategies to help you land lower fares and avoid headaches. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Bilt Rewards adding Etihad Guest as a transfer partner, bigger welcome offers now available on select premium cards, and Hilton’s new Outset Collection of boutique, design-forward hotels, with bookings opening in November. Then, Meghan and Sally discuss holiday travel tactics, with tips and tricks on the cheapest days to fly, new “sweet spot” booking windows, and when to use points — especially for last-minute fares. They also discuss smart layovers vs. flying nonstop during peak season, backup plans and alternate airports, and which airlines were most on-time this year. They review when travel insurance is worth it, AI tools people say they’re using for trip planning, and utilizing the post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas “sandwich season” for quieter, cheaper travel. They also answer a listener's question about using points to book American Airlines flights and explain how you can get more value out of your miles this season. 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 Elite Review: Premium Perks Can Offset Its Premium Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-strata-elite  Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve  Citi Strata Premier: Big Rewards Across Top Spending Categories https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-strata-premier  Resources discussed in this episode: Bilt Adds Etihad Guest as Latest Transfer Partner https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/bilt-etihad-guest  The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/top-rewards-credit-card-offers  The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving In 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/busiest-travel-days-thanksgiving  The Best Days to Travel Around Christmas In 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/flying-for-christmas-best-days  Airline Miles vs. Cash Calculator https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/calculator-should-you-book-a-flight-with-cash-or-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.   In this episode, the Nerds discuss: Bilt Rewards transfer partners, Etihad Guest miles, boosted credit card offers, premium travel cards, Citi ThankYou Points, American Airlines miles transfer, Citi transfer partners, Hilton Outset Collection hotels, boutique hotel brands, holiday airfare trends, Thanksgiving airfare prices, Christmas airfare prices, Black Friday flight deals, Christmas Eve flights, Thanksgiving Wednesday travel, flexible holiday travel dates, holiday layovers vs nonstop, alternate airports travel savings, Amtrak as flight backup, on-time airline rankings, Southwest on-time performance, Spirit Airlines on-time performance, Delta flight reliability, travel insurance for weather delays, cruise travel insurance, nonrefundable trip protection, AI travel planning tools, and sandwich season travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Enjoy the Halloween Travel Boom Without Getting Scared by Prices (Video Episode)

  In this special video episode, watch Sally brave haunted attractions and reveal the surprising rise of Halloween vacations. Is Halloween travel worth the money right now? Which fall travel deals are worth your time? Watch hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how Halloween became a peak travel moment and what it really costs — and see how Sally reacted to some of this year’s scariest attractions — so you can plan smarter and still get your thrills. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including limited-time Hilton card welcome offers, Hilton’s Q4 “1,500 bonus points per stay” promo, Spirit’s one-off bonus points offer for round trips and off-peak days, and British Airways’ new nonstop from St. Louis to London Heathrow. Then, Meghan and Sally discuss the surge in Halloween travel anchored by theme-park events, including Universal’s new year-round Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Disney’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash. They share tips and tricks on timing trips for lower airfare/hotel costs and leveraging simple promos/points without overcomplicating it. They also discuss destination costs and alternatives, free or low-cost ways to join the Halloween fun, how to pack and plan multiple costumes, and real-world logistics like lining up childcare for Halloween travel.  Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/hilton-honors-aspire  Hilton AmEx Review: Solid Rewards for No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/hilton-amex-review  Hilton AmEx Surpass Review: Credits Can Offset the High Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/hilton-amex-ascend  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.   In this episode, the Nerds discuss: Halloween travel trends, spooky season getaways, haunted destinations, haunted houses, haunted mazes, horror travel, Vegas attractions, Area15 Las Vegas, Universal Studios, Universal theme parks, theme park tickets, theme park events, Disney World, Disneyland, Halloween events, fall vacation planning, shoulder season travel, cheap flights in October, off-peak airfare, hotel promotions, travel rewards points, travel credit cards, hotel loyalty programs, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, travel points value, British Airways routes, St. Louis airport, London Heathrow flights, Spirit Airlines flights, luxury hotels, Halloween destinations USA, Salem, Stanley Hotel, New Orleans Halloween, Winchester Mystery House, family Halloween travel, Halloween costumes travel tips, and quiet airports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Stop Wasting Time (and Miles): Points vs. Cash Tools for Easier Booking

  Confused by points vs. cash? Discover how to stretch your miles further and save on your next trip. Should you use points or cash for your next flight? How do you find award availability that’s worth booking? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into points redemption and partner programs to help you understand when it makes the most sense to redeem miles, when to pay cash, and how to surface real award seats without the spreadsheet headache. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Marriott credit card limited-time offers, the European Union’s new EES biometric border checks, and Spirit’s new two-checked-bag perk for its co-branded card. Then, Julian Kheel, founder of Points Path, joins Sally to discuss making smarter redemptions inside Google Flights, using partner programs for better deals, and spotting transfer bonuses in time to save points. He offers tips and tricks on comparing points vs. cash in seconds, filtering for nonstop and sane itineraries, and deciding when to “earn and burn.” They also discuss dynamic award pricing vs. old award charts, last-minute award sweet spots, leveraging transfer partners, stacking portal and transfer promos, common pro-level traps (like how to balance points redemptions with the value of your time and comfort), and trends in premium travel cards and annual fees. 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/reviews/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-boundless  Marriott Bonvoy Bold Review: Hotel Perks for No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-bold  Spirit Travel More Card Review: Some Useful Perks for Loyal Flyers https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/free-spirit-travel-more  Bilt Credit Card Review: Charge Rent and Earn Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/bilt-credit-card  Resources discussed in this episode: Best Airline Credit Cards of October 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/best-airline-credit-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.   In this episode, the Nerds discuss: award travel tools, transfer partners, miles inflation, earn and burn strategy, airline partner redemptions, Alaska miles sweet spots, Condor business class 45k, Bilt Rewards program, Bilt Rent Day bonus, Bilt Neighborhood Benefits, Capital One transfer bonus, Chase Ultimate Rewards partners, Citi ThankYou transfer, Avianca LifeMiles, Turkish Airlines award booking, Virgin Atlantic transfer bonus, premium travel credit cards, high annual fee credit cards, travel card perks, airline baggage fees, Google Flights filters, nonstop flight search, award availability search engines, stacking rewards programs, free travel browser extension, dynamic award charts, partner award tickets, OneWorld Alliance partners, Star Alliance booking, SkyTeam partner flights, tracking award prices, award search alerts, last minute points deals, midweek flight discounts, cheap Europe flights, Hawaii travel demand, and Caribbean travel trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Getting Paid to Plan Trips Doesn't Have to Be a Full-Time Job: How to Become a Travel Advisor in 2025

  Fora cofounder Henley Vazquez reveals how travelers turn trip planning into income and which destinations are trending. How much money can you make working part-time as a travel advisor? What are the startup costs to get into the industry? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle explore how you can turn trip planning into income and what that means for travelers looking to build a flexible side hustle. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including new Chase Sapphire Reserve hotel credits, Amex Platinum quarterly spending deadlines, new Capital One transfer partners, and Delta adding routes to Malta and Sardinia in 2026. Then, Fora Travel co-founder Henley Vazquez joins Meghan to unpack how everyday travelers are building flexible side hustles as modern travel advisors. She explains the cost of entry, potential commissions, and how new tools like price monitoring and collaborative networks make this career more accessible. They walk through how to turn informal trip planning into real income, what trends like luxury cruising and secondary city getaways mean for travelers, and why shoulder season trips could stretch your budget further. 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/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum  Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve  Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business Review: Big Perks, Bigger Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/small-business/sapphire-reserve-business  Resources discussed in this episode: Current Credit Card Transfer Bonuses: September 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/credit-card-transfer-bonuses   Why I’m Actually Excited About the New AmEx Platinum Changes https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/amex-platinum-update  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.   In this episode, the Nerds discuss: travel side hustle, how to become a travel advisor, travel advisor income, how to make money booking travel, Fora Travel, travel commissions explained, Capital One transfer partners, hotel loyalty programs, IHG hotels and resorts, luxury cruise trends, secondary city travel, affordable city trips, domestic travel trends, shoulder season travel, travel insurance tips, price drop hotel booking, travel agent training, part-time travel career, flexible side jobs, commission split travel agency, best time to book hotels, travel agency technology, and travel industry trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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