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, Sa...
How to Visit National Parks for Free, Avoid Crowds, and Save on Lodging
Learn how to visit national parks on a budget, including tips on free entry days and cheap lodging. Plus, the latest key travel rewards updates.
When can you visit national parks for free, and what are the best ways to cut costs on park trips? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French break down national park budget tips to help you plan an affordable adventure. But first, they kick off the episode with the latest travel rewards updates, including Amex Membership Week deals, Hyatt’s upcoming award chart changes, and whether using Bilt points for Lyft rides is a smart move. They also break down Spirit Airlines’ emergence from bankruptcy and what it means for budget travelers.
Then, they dive into national park savings strategies, covering free admission days, annual park passes, and the best budget-friendly lodging options, from camping to glamping to points-bookable hotels. They also discuss how to avoid peak-season crowds, what recent staffing cuts at national parks could mean for visitors, and which parks are at the top of their must-visit lists.
Resources discussed in this episode:
Best American Express Cards of March 2025
World of Hyatt Announces Category Changes for 151 Properties
Bilt Rewards: How the Program Works
Spirit Airlines Brings Back Change and Cancellation Fees on Some Fares
How to Visit National Parks for Free in 2025
How Credit Card Issuers Define ‘Travel’
What’s the Value of Hilton Points?
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: national park free entry days, national parks fee-free days, when you can visit national parks for free, how to save money at national parks, national park annual pass, America the Beautiful pass, best budget national parks, best time to visit national parks, national park entrance fees, how to book national park lodging, cheapest way to visit national parks, best glamping near national parks, best credit cards for travel rewards, how to maximize travel points, and booking travel with credit card rewards.
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35:52
Best Travel Credit Cards, Southwest Policy Changes, and Disneyland Deals
Learn which travel credit cards might be best for you, plus news about major policy changes at Southwest.
Which travel credit card is the best travel credit card? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French try to answer that question by picking their favorites, fantasy sports draft style. But first, they discuss the latest travel news, including Southwest changing some of its beloved policies, how to get the best deals on cruises this year, and some Disneyland discounts you can cash in on this summer.
Then, Meghan and Sally get into their travel credit card fantasy draft, where they talk about benefits and drawbacks of each card, including annual fees, statement credits, lounge access, and point redemption options. Plus, they answer a listener’s question about where to travel for a quick “babymoon.”
Resources discussed in this episode:
The 8 Best Ways to Buy Disney Tickets
16 Best Travel Credit Cards of March 2025
Top Airline Credit Cards With Companion Tickets
How to Pick the Best Credit Card for You: 4 Easy Steps
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: the best travel credit card, how to pick the best travel credit card, travel credit card perks, travel rewards credit cards, Southwest Rapid Rewards changes, credit card perks, Disneyland ticket discounts, best credit cards for travel points, credit cards with lounge access, Capital One Venture X review, Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve, Amex Platinum travel benefits, Southwest Companion Pass updates, how to maximize travel points, NerdWallet travel credit cards, best credit cards for frequent flyers, how to earn free flights with points, Disney vacation savings tips, best cruise deals wave season, travel credit cards with no annual fee, best airline credit cards for free checked bags, Hyatt vs Hilton rewards program, cash back vs travel rewards credit cards, best co-branded hotel credit cards.
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31:43
How to Get Elite Travel Perks Without Traveling Every Week or Overpaying
Learn when elite status is worth it, plus how to earn attractive airline and hotel perks even if you don’t constantly travel.
Is elite status ever worth chasing? Should you stick to one airline or just try to book the best deal? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down whether airline and hotel elite status is worth it, and how you can earn valuable perks without spending half your life on the road. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Southwest flights on Expedia, Hyatt’s award category changes, and American Airlines’ new elite status earning period.
Then, they cover the different ways to qualify for elite status — including credit cards and spending tips — and when it makes sense to stay loyal versus booking the best price. They explain how travelers can earn perks like free checked bags and upgrades without excessive flying, the trade-offs of airline loyalty, and why spending strategically on a co-branded credit card can help. They also discuss hotel elite status, covering which hotel programs offer the best perks, how to get automatic status through credit cards, and when elite status may not be worth it.
Resources discussed in this episode:
World of Hyatt Announces Category Changes for 151 Properties
The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now
The Best Airline Elite Status for 2025
The Best Hotel Elite Status for 2025
The 5 Best Credit Cards with Hotel Status
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: airline elite status, hotel elite status, how to get airline elite status, is elite status worth it, best airline loyalty programs, how to get hotel elite status, best travel credit cards, airline loyalty programs, travel perks, hotel upgrades, how to get free hotel upgrades, best airline for frequent flyers, free checked bags, credit card travel perks, best hotel loyalty programs, airline status benefits, how to qualify for airline status, how to get airline upgrades, is hotel elite status worth it, hotel status through credit cards, airline status vs best price flights, best ways to earn loyalty points, how to get free flights, online travel agencies, and when to book direct vs OTA.
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29:23
How to Budget for Trips: When to Book and How to Avoid Hidden Fees
Learn how to budget for travel, save on flights, and maximize credit card rewards for your next trip.
How can you budget and save money for travel? How can you maximize credit card rewards and travel points to help lower trip costs? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss budgeting strategies and travel rewards to help you plan smarter for your trips. They begin by sharing new data that might impact your budget for spring break travel, give some highlights of new airport lounges that opened in Las Vegas and Philadelphia, and discuss a change coming to the Uber app that could affect you if you’re traveling abroad. Then, they dig into some options for setting a travel budget, with tips on estimating costs using Google Flights, creating a dedicated travel savings fund, and planning ahead for rising airfare prices. Meghan and Sally also explore some of the ways you can leverage credit card perks and travel rewards to stretch your budget even further.
Resources discussed in this episode:
LAS Centurion Lounge Review
Capital One Lounge Las Vegas: Hits the Jackpot with Food and Drinks
What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Chase Lounges, And Where Are They Located?
Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly
Best High-Yield Savings Accounts
The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: travel budget, how to save money for travel, best travel credit cards, travel points and miles, airline rewards, Google Flights price alerts, budgeting for flights, cheap flights, best time to book flights, credit card travel perks, Southwest Companion Pass, travel savings account, airfare inflation, high-yield savings for travel, vacation budget, flexible travel dates, how to maximize travel rewards, best hotel rewards programs, credit card sign-up bonuses, when to use travel points, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, airline lounge access, how to get cheap last-minute flights, and unexpected travel expenses.
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30:58
Flight Canceled? How to Get a Refund, Rebook, or Even Travel for Free
Learn what to do if your flight is delayed or canceled, how to get compensated, and tips to avoid travel disruptions.
What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? How can you get compensated for travel disruptions? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to handle unexpected flight changes and what you can do to maximize your chances of getting some form of compensation for various travel interruptions. The episode kicks off with a discussion of airline policies, and Meghan and Sally break down when you're entitled to refunds, rebookings, and even hotel stays. Plus, they share tips on checking rebooking options in an airline's app, using credit card travel insurance, and how to find out which airlines offer the best compensation for delays and cancelations.
Then, Meghan and Sally discuss proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk of travel disruptions. They cover the benefits of booking direct flights, choosing layovers in mild-weather cities, and selecting airlines with multiple daily flights to your destination. They also highlight how loyalty programs, credit card perks, and smart scheduling can help travelers avoid headaches. Plus, Sally shares her recent experience with multiple canceled flights, detailing how she turned travel chaos into a free trip and some unexpected Starbucks rewards.
Resources discussed in this episode:
7 Best All-Inclusives You Can Book With Points
10 Credit Cards That Provide Travel Insurance
Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation: What to Know
How to Get Into AmEx Centurion Lounges: Credit Cards That Grant Access
Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access of March 2025
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: flight cancellation compensation, what to do if my flight is canceled, airline refund policy, airline delay compensation, best travel credit cards for flight delays, flight delay rights, travel insurance for flight cancellations, best airlines for rebooking, how to get airline vouchers for delays, how to rebook a canceled flight, last-minute flight cancellation refund, flight delay refund process, best time to book flights to avoid delays, should you buy travel insurance for flights, how to find cheap flights after a cancellation, best airport lounges for delayed flights, and airline hotel vouchers for cancellations.
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.
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