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 plat
PodSkip has analyzed 1 episode of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, averaging 1.0 ads per episode (1% of runtime).
How to Coupon Your Way Around the World, with Torok Coupon Hunter
Aug 26, 2026
Coupon queen Kiersti Torok reveals how everyday savings on gas, groceries and gift cards can fund your next trip.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk to Kiersti Torok — known online as Torok…
Bilt to Last? Grading Bilt Rewards Six Months On
Aug 19, 2026
Learn what six months of confusing changes to Bilt's rewards program have actually meant for cardholders' points.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss six months of living with Bilt's…
Finding Cheap Flights, Mastering Layovers, and Knowing Your Card’s Benefits (Put to the Test!)
Aug 12, 2026
Learn how to handle a surprise layover and track down a cheap flight to a random destination.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to think fast when travel plans go sideways to help you…
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Ask the Nerds: Booking Traps, Transfer Optimization and Card Strategy
Aug 05, 2026
Learn how to stretch modest points balances into business-class flights, and safer spending abroad.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle answer travel questions from listeners to help you make…
The 7 Things Our Travel Pros Insist On Packing
Jul 29, 2026
Learn which packing essentials two travel experts swear by, plus how to time your Labor Day trip for fewer crowds.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the gear they just won’t travel…
What to Ask Your Hotel Concierge: Free Upgrades, Insider Deals, and What Most Travelers Miss
Jul 22, 2026
Learn what hotel concierges can do for your next stay, from getting free upgrades to saving you money.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French explore what hotel concierges could do for your next stay…
Is an Alaska Cruise Actually Worth It? We Went to Find Out
Jul 15, 2026
*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. It has been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
Is an Alaskan cruise really a trip for everyone — even people who…
Your Flight Got Canceled. Here's How to Beat Summer's Worst Travel Chaos
Jul 08, 2026
Your flight was canceled. Now what?
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share their go-to strategies for beating summer flight delays and cancellations, from booking the first flight of the day to…
The ADHD Traveler's Guide to Airport Security, Budgeting and Staying on Schedule
Jul 01, 2026
Learn how ADHD shapes travel decisions, and the strategies that turn travel stress into a strength.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to make travel less stressful for ADHD brains…
Best Credit Cards for Weddings: Turn Venue Bills Into Honeymoon Flights and Hotel Nights
Jun 24, 2026
Find out which credit cards could turn your wedding costs into a business class honeymoon.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the best credit cards for wedding expenses and how to use the…
The Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Countries: What $300 a Day in Madagascar Really Buys You
Jun 17, 2026
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…
Unpacking the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Biggest Update in Five Years: What You Need to Know
Jun 10, 2026
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…
Earn More Points on Purchases You Already Make: Online Shopping, Dining, Rideshares and More
Jun 03, 2026
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…
Summer Travel 2026: How to Time Your Trip, Pick Your Destination, and Actually Save Money
May 27, 2026
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…
Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners
May 26, 2026
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…
World of Hyatt Award Chart Changes 2026: What's New and Where to Get the Most Value
May 20, 2026
Learn how the new World of Hyatt award chart changes your points value and which hotels are still worth booking.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into the sweeping changes to the World of…
How to Travel Without Paying for a Hotel: Inside Home Swapping and Pet Sitting Apps
May 13, 2026
Learn how to travel for less by swapping homes or pet sitting with strangers around the world.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how house swapping and house sitting can cut your lodging…
Family Travel on Points, Solo Trip Ideas, and Booking Tools Compared: Your Travel Questions Answered
May 06, 2026
Learn how to maximize Chase points for family Hawaii trips, travel with infants, and pick the right rewards card.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French dig into a mailbag of listener questions…
The Best Travel Credit Cards With Annual Fees Under $100
Apr 29, 2026
Learn how travel credit cards with annual fees under $100 can earn you free flights, hotel nights, and perks.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss travel credit cards with annual fees under…
How Airline Alliance Status Gets You Into the World's Best Airport Lounges for Free
Apr 23, 2026
Learn how earning status with one airline can unlock lounges and elite perks on more than a dozen other airlines worldwide.
First, host Meghan Coyle breaks down the week’s top travel headlines with…
Family Travel on Points and Miles: Free Checked Bags, Companion Passes, and Miles Pooling
Apr 15, 2026
Learn how families can use points and miles to fly, earn companion passes, and book hotels without paying full price.
Before delving into the ins and outs of family travel, hosts Meghan Coyle and…
Traveling with Pets: How to Put Your Paws on the Best Airlines and Hotels for Furry Family Members
Apr 08, 2026
Learn what it really takes to fly and stay somewhere with your pet, from carrier rules to hidden fees.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the best airlines and hotels for traveling with…
How to Spend Less on Big Sports Trips in 2026: FIFA World Cup 2026, PGA Championship and More
Apr 01, 2026
Learn how to save on flights, hotels, and tickets when you travel for major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, the PGA Championship, or the Olympics.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle…
Rental Cars in 2026: How to Skip the Counter, Cut Costs, and Avoid Insurance Mistakes
Mar 25, 2026
Learn how to skip rental car lines, lower costs, and avoid pricey insurance mistakes on your next trip.
When should you rent at the airport, and when should you skip a car entirely? Hosts Sally…
Before You Book a Ski Trip, Learn How to Save on Mountain Hotels, Ski Rentals and Lift Tickets
Mar 18, 2026
Learn how to cut the cost of a ski trip before lift tickets, rentals and parking wipe out your budget.
How do you keep a ski trip from blowing your whole vacation budget? When should you buy a…
Travel Questions Mega-Episode: Top Tips from Our Top Listener Questions
Mar 11, 2026
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…
Don’t Get “Noob Taxed”: The Travel Add-Ons That Drain Your Budget
Mar 04, 2026
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…
25 Airports in 6 Months: The Real Lessons From JetBlue’s 350,000-Point Challenge
Feb 25, 2026
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…
Mediterranean Cruise Game Plan: Santorini, Mykonos, and the Greek Islands Without Transit Chaos
Feb 18, 2026
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…
2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily
Feb 11, 2026
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…
