Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

• Keep or Cut the Amex Platinum? What New Perks Mean for Frequent Travelers

  The Platinum Card® from American Express announced that its annual fee just went up. Learn how to decide if the new credits, perks, and lounge access are worth it. Is the Amex Platinum worth its higher annual fee? How do you maximize new statement credits without lifestyle creep? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the Amex Platinum’s updated perks, including dining, hotel credits, and streaming, to help you understand whether its perks outweigh the new $895 annual fee. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including a limited-time Chase Sapphire Preferred restaurant promotion, a Hilton points devaluation at luxury brands like Waldorf Astoria, and San Diego International’s Terminal 1 reopening with improvements to its parking, seating, and TSA checkpoints. Then, Meghan and Sally dig into the Amex Platinum overhaul, with tips on stacking quarterly dining credits, booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) for added perks, and valuing lounge visits against airport food costs. They also cover how to split hotel credits across the year, make the most of digital entertainment subscriptions, and avoid overspending just to “use the credits.” The conversation closes with comparisons to Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and the Amex Gold Card, plus guidance on whether to keep the Platinum based on city access, travel frequency, and realistic usage. 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 Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-preferred Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/hilton-honors-aspire  Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve Capital One Venture X Review: A Worthy Option Among Premium Cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/capital-one-venture-x  American Express Gold Card Review: Dining Rewards Royalty https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-premier-rewards-gold  Resources discussed in this episode: How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2025? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations  5 Best Credit Card Points Programs and Who They Partner With https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/heres-how-you-can-transfer-your-points-from-any-major-credit-card-issuer  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: Amex Platinum annual fee, Amex Platinum credits, Amex Platinum lounge access, Centurion Lounge access, Fine Hotels and Resorts credit, Amex Platinum hotel credit, Rezzy dining credit, digital entertainment credit Amex, Hilton points devaluation, Waldorf Astoria award points, Hyatt award chart, booking direct vs travel portal, hotel elite night credits, transfer partners comparison, maximizing quarterly credits, travel credit stacking, lounge food vs airport meals, lifestyle creep with statement credits, city vs non-city card value, dining reservation platforms comparison, Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X vs Amex Platinum, Amex Gold vs Platinum, budgeting for premium annual fees, how to decide if premium credit cards are worth it, balancing multiple premium cards, real-world math on credit card perks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• New Episode Coming Tomorrow — With Big Travel News!

  Keep an eye out for our next episode on Thursday, September 18, when we talk about some exciting breaking travel news! 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. Follow Sally on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savewithsally/ Follow Meghan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mileswithmeghanco/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How One Family Flew Business Class to Europe on Points — and Stayed in Style

  Learn how an entire family traveled to Europe on points, including business class flights, boutique stays, and mountain escapes. How do you book business-class flights to Europe for a family of four using points? How do you cover hotels and vacation rentals with rewards while meeting Europe’s room occupancy rules? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle talk with Erin Hurd, NerdWallet’s director of travel, about her family trip through the countries of Georgia and Turkey. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Southwest and T-Mobile offering free Wi-Fi to Rapid Rewards members, a limited-time sign-up offer on a major hotel card with annual free night certificates, and boosted welcome offers across several Delta credit cards, along with updated Sky Club visit rules. Then, Erin explains how she booked four business-class seats to Europe using points while keeping taxes and fees in check. She explains how to unlock savings by comparing partner award charts and highlights a hidden perk on Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program that offers discounted award tickets for kids. The conversation then turns to lodging, with Erin breaking down her strategy for mixing hotel points, free night certificates, and bank travel portals to secure family-sized rooms and unique stays. They explore how to stretch certificates with points, when to use portals to book boutique properties or cabins, and how Hyatt’s suite upgrade awards can add extra space for longer trips. The conversation also covers smart ways to search for award space for families, how to use a “player two” approach to double household credit card bonuses, and why even Europe’s stricter occupancy rules can be managed with the right planning. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: IHG One Rewards Premier Review: Free Nights on a Silver Platter https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/ihg-credit-card  Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/delta-reserve  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum  Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-gold-delta-skymiles  Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-delta-skymiles  Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Review: Free Night Award, Elite Status https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-boundless  Capital One Venture X Review: A Worthy Option Among Premium Cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/capital-one-venture-x World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/world-of-hyatt Resources discussed in this episode: The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/top-rewards-credit-card-offers  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

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• Cash or Miles? The 2025 Points Valuations That Could Change How You Travel

  Get fresh NerdWallet data on what your points and miles are really worth in 2025 — and why the answer might change how you book travel. Should you take a $650 flight voucher or 32,500 miles? How much are your points and miles actually worth? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the latest NerdWallet valuations to help you make smarter redemption choices. But first, they cover the week’s biggest travel headlines, including Southwest Airlines’ new partnership with EVA Air, Frontier’s companion certificate promotion and status match, and JetBlue opening up award bookings with Condor Airlines. Then, travel Nerd Craig Joseph joins Meghan to discuss NerdWallet’s latest airline, hotel, and credit card point valuations, with tips and tricks on comparing loyalty programs, maximizing transfer partners, and deciding when cash is more valuable than points. They also discuss the impact of devaluations, how close-in bookings can save you points, and why premium cabins can sometimes offer outsized redemption value. Plus: Craig’s hot take on airport lounges. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Is the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard Worth Its Annual Fee? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/is-the-frontier-airlines-world-mastercard-worth-its-annual-fee Citi Strata Credit Card Review: Solid Rewards for No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-strata  Citi Double Cash Review: A Solid Choice for Everyday Spending ​​https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-double-cash  Citi Custom Cash Card Review: Low-Maintenance 5% Cash Back https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-custom-cash  Citi Strata Premier: Big Rewards Across Top Spending Categories https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/citi-strata-premier  Is the New Alaska Atmos Summit Card Worth a $395 Annual Fee? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/is-the-alaska-airlines-atmos-summit-card-worth-its-annual-fee  Resources discussed in this episode: Airline Miles vs. Cash Calculator https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/calculator-should-you-book-a-flight-with-cash-or-miles  How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2025? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations  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: points and miles valuation, airline miles value, hotel points value, credit card points value, Southwest EVA Air partnership, Frontier Companion Certificate, JetBlue Condor award booking, Citi American Airlines transfer, Amex Membership Rewards value, Capital One points value, Bilt points value, Hyatt points value, Hilton points value, Marriott points value, Wyndham points value, IHG points value, Alaska miles value, JetBlue points value, American Airlines miles value, United miles value, Southwest points value, Virgin Atlantic miles value, ANA miles value, Avianca LifeMiles value, best way to use Amex points, best way to use Citi points, best way to use Capital One points, use cash or points for flights, last minute award flight value, premium cabin redemption value, economy flight points value, airline devaluation, hotel point devaluation, cash vs points travel booking, when to transfer credit card points, how to maximize travel rewards, and NerdWallet points and miles calculator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Airport Lounge Access, Family Award Travel, and Cruise Savings: Your Questions Answered

  Learn how to get into airport lounges, stretch rewards for family travel, and score the best cruise deals from New York. How can you get into airport lounges if you don’t have elite status? What’s the cheapest way to book a cruise from New York? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into your questions about airport lounges, family travel, cruise deals, and Disney trips to help you plan your next adventure with confidence. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including drops in vacation rental occupancy, trending U.S. and international fall destinations, and which airlines and airports are offering the cheapest domestic and international flight deals. Then, Meghan and Sally tackle listener questions on cruise timing, airport lounge access, and Disney planning. They explain how to maximize savings by booking during wave season, how to identify pay-as-you-go lounges when you don’t have status, and whether Disney’s dining and photo packages are worth it for families. They also explore strategies for booking award travel for groups, when to consider travel agents for Disney, and how curated hotel collections stack up. Listener tips round out the show, from thrifting travel wardrobes abroad to smart packing strategies that keep costs low and suitcases light. 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/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve  Capital One Venture X Review: A Worthy Option Among Premium Cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/capital-one-venture-x  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum  Resources discussed in this episode: Setting Sail in 2025? Here Are the Cheapest Months to Cruise https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/cheapest-month-cruise  4 Workarounds to Book Your Holiday Vacation Rental With Points https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/4-workarounds-to-book-your-fall-vacation-rental-with-points  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: New York cruise deals, best time to book a cruise, wave season cruise booking, cheap cruises from New York, cruise insurance hurricane season, airport lounges San Diego, pay as you go airport lounges, priority pass lounge access, family vacation booking with miles, booking hotels with points Europe, Hyatt points transfer value, vacation rentals with points, Expedia fall travel outlook, trending fall destinations 2025, cheapest airlines for domestic flights, cheapest airports for international flights, Southwest cheap flights, Orlando cheap flights Caribbean, cheap Cancun vacation rentals, Disney dining plan, Disney World meal plan, Disney Memory Maker photo package, Disney stroller rental tips, Disney travel agent vs booking direct, booking Disney with points, Disney world with toddlers, Amex fine hotels and resorts program, Capital One Premier Collection hotels, thrift store travel tips, packing light for Europe, travel tips for families, booking cruises on Black Friday, Travel Tuesday cruise deals, and cruise line email alerts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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