Travel Podcasts, Discovered
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 final
63 most recent episodes displayed below
Visit website →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 Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sally French) break dow
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 pets to help you avoid hidden fees and stressed-out an
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 discuss the ins and outs of planning travel for major spo
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 French and Meghan Coyle break down how to rent a car in
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 season pass instead of a day ticket? Hosts Meghan Coyle
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 Pas
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
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
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 preci
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 d
Get a clearer way to compare hotel prices with and without credit card program perks.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss when it makes sense to book luxury hotels through credit card travel portals so you can decide if perks like breakfast,
Learn how a points pro mapped a six-continent route to score 1 million Turkish Airlines miles.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk to Ashley Peterson, founder of Ashley Gets Around, about how she became a “points millionaire” while traveling ac
Find out if Bilt’s new credit cards are worth the hassle for earning points on rent or a mortgage.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive deep into the Bilt Card 2.0 Program to explain what’s changed and what to consider before signing up. But fir
Build a credit card lineup that earns more travel rewards without becoming a full-time spreadsheet manager.
In this special video episode, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to build the perfect travel credit card “wallet” to help you e
Travel TV icon Samantha Brown shares tips for finding hidden gems, saving money, and dodging airport stress.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle sit down with Samantha Brown, host of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, to talk about how she keeps trave
If 2025 was about premium everything and complicated travel perks, 2026 is shaping up to be more intentional: fewer trips, less algorithm-chasing, more ease — and spending where it actually improves your experience.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally Fren
Learn what it’s like working with a travel advisor, including how much time and money they can really save you when planning your next trip.
Can travel advisors really save you money? Should you be booking travel yourself or outsourcing the job to a
“Amazing Race” host Phil Keoghan shares what he’s learned from his life of travel in this special presentation of “Powering Travel” from Expedia Group.
In an inspired conversation about the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of travel, Phil joins
Learn how same-day flight changes and standby can save you money when your travel plans suddenly change.
In this special video episode, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive into last-minute travel rules, exploring when you can make a same-day fl
We answer listener questions about travel insurance, Chase point transfers, lounge access, free checked bags, and more.
Host Sally French opens the episode with the week’s biggest travel headlines alongside Elizabeth Ayoola, host of NerdWallet’s Sma
In this special video episode, see if $2,000 in credit card fees is worth it and learn how you can audit your own travel rewards wallet.
Should you really be paying nearly $2,000 a year in credit card annual fees, or is it time to downsize your wall
Learn how AI may raise your travel prices and what to watch for before you book your next trip.
Before the Nerds delve into the surprising ways AI can affect your travel booking, hosts Tess Vigeland (covering news this week for host Meghan Coyle) an
Sally and her new husband unpack their unconventional honeymoon plan and share practical tips to plan your own getaway with purpose.
How do you plan a honeymoon that feels luxurious without blowing your budget? How can newlyweds use points and miles
Learn when pricey travel cards are worth it and how to pick the one that gives you the most value.
Are premium travel cards worth the high price tag? How do you decide which one(s) to keep in your wallet? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break do
Learn how you can make travel more meaningful without overspending or missing out on authentic experiences.
How do you plan a vacation that feels “worth it” without overspending? What’s the smartest way to turn bank points into long-haul premium fli
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 S
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 Sall
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 Megh
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
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 Sal
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 c
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
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 S
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? Hos
Budget smarter for study abroad and learn how to cover costs with scholarships, aid, and credit cards. Plus: get the inside scoop on Alaska Airlines’ new premium airline credit card.
Can you save money by studying abroad? What scholarships and finan
Learn how to pack smarter and lighter with actionable tips to save money, avoid fees, and travel stress-free.
What travel gear can you stop packing to cut costs? How much money can you save by packing your luggage the right way? Hosts Sally French a
Handle lost luggage like a pro with tips for getting reimbursed and packing smarter to avoid future headaches.
What should you do when your luggage disappears on an international trip? Which credit cards and travel insurance policies actually help w
Optimize your travel rewards strategy with the latest card and perk updates, smart downgrade-and-reapply moves, and tips for combining and redeeming points for maximum value.
Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle answer listener questions to help you
Learn how new consumer protections can help you get refunds, rebook faster, and stress less when you fly.
What protections do you have if your flight is delayed, canceled, or your bag goes missing? How do you know if your airline will rebook you or
Plan smarter for your next trip to Italy with cost-saving tips and strategies to avoid common tourist traps.
When is the best time to visit Italy? How can you avoid overspending while still having an unforgettable experience? Hosts Megan Coyle and S
Stretch your travel budget with smarter planning, real savings hacks, and $75-a-day global travel strategies.
Can you really see the world for just $75 a day? Can you cut travel costs without sacrificing comfort or experience? Meghan Coyle and Sally
Learn what it’s like working with a travel advisor, including how much time and money they can really save you when planning your next trip.
Can travel advisors really save you money? Should you be booking travel yourself or outsourcing the job to a
Score travel deals, discover hotel savings, and learn how to maximize your budget without missing out this summer.
How can you travel this summer without overspending? Where should you book to get the most value from your hotel stay? Hosts Sally Fre
Learn about major changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve — and how to decide if another premium card is a better fit.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve still worth it after its major 2025 refresh? What do travelers lose — and gain — with the new credit c
How to plan a multi-generational trip without breaking the bank — or your relationships — and make it truly memorable.
How do you plan a budget-friendly vacation for multiple generations of family? And how do you keep everyone — from toddlers to gra
Learn what’s worth it (and what to skip) at Universal’s new theme park Epic Universe, with money-saving tips and sneak peeks of top rides.
Is Epic Universe worth the higher ticket price compared to Universal’s other parks? How can you save money on
Learn how to plan travel itineraries that save you money, skip tourist traps, and make the most of your points.
How can you plan a travel itinerary that saves money without missing out? What travel credit cards are worth it if you don’t want to pay
Get the most out of your next Disney trip with tips for saving on tickets, spending less time in lines, and finding legitimate discounts.
When is the cheapest time to go to Disney parks? How can you save money and avoid long lines once you're there?
Learn how to use award search tools, when it’s worth it to pay for one, and how to use alerts and filters to save time and get better redemptions.
What are the best tools to find award flight availability using points or miles? Is it worth paying fo
Is a cruise actually cheaper than a land vacation? Learn how to sail smarter and save big on your next getaway.
Are cruises really a budget-friendly alternative to land vacations? What’s the best credit card to use for travel and Costco expenses? Ho
Explore your options for spending 100,000 credit card points, with tips on redemptions for luxury flights, hotels, and hidden travel perks.
What are the best ways to use 100,000 credit card points for travel? How do you transfer points to airlines o
Learn when it’s worth transferring credit card points — and how to avoid costly mistakes that waste your rewards.
When should you transfer your credit card points to an airline or hotel loyalty program? What are your options if you no longer want to
Learn strategic ways to save on wedding travel — whether you're planning the big day or flying in to celebrate someone else's.
How can you avoid overspending on wedding travel without sacrificing comfort or memorable experiences? How do you continue
Learn why flight delays are getting worse and what airline miles are really worth (hint: it’s not what you think).
Why are flight cancellations and delays happening more often? Are airline miles and credit card travel rewards actually worth it? Host
Learn how to get the most out of your summer travel including when to book your flights and how to stack rewards.
When is the cheapest time to book flights for summer travel? How can you stack rewards points to level up your trips? Meghan Coyle and
Learn when to book flights, how to spot mistake fares, and ways to use lesser-known tips like booking stopovers and tapping into rideshare rewards.
When is the best time to book a cheap flight? Do budget airlines actually save you money after all th
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
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 favor
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 a
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 Coy
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 an
From booking flights to getting through airport security, NerdWallet’s travel pros share five costly mistakes — and how to avoid them.
Is TSA PreCheck or Global Entry worth the cost? How can you use travel credit card perks to save money on trips? H
Do you need a vacation from planning your vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel, debuting Wednesday, February 12.
NerdWallet’s trusted travel experts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, are h