Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

• $2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet to Make Sure They’re Worth It (Video Episode)

  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 wallet? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle sit down with NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast host Elizabeth Ayoola to dissect her stack of premium travel cards and decide which ones earn their keep. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Black Friday bargains, why flight bookings may be down even as overall Thanksgiving trips rise, and what Emirates’ massive retrofit and Starlink Wi-Fi rollout could mean for your next long-haul flight.  Then, Sally and Meghan sit down in-studio for a full-on credit card consultation with Elizabeth, a travel-loving single mom in Houston who juggles multiple premium cards. Together, they walk through the benefits of several of her credit cards to see which perks actually justify the fees. They talk through how to value statement credits versus real spending, when downgrading makes more sense than canceling, how to think about lounge access in dollar terms, when co-branded airline cards are redundant, and how to avoid the “bougie coupon book” burnout that can come with managing too many credits. Plus, Elizabeth shares her hot takes on first class, loud seat neighbors, and why airplanes need a built-in “do not disturb” button. 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 Blue Cash Preferred Review: The Ultimate Family Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-blue-cash-preferred  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum  Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve  Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card Review: Worth the Fee for Airline Loyalists https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-aadvantage-platinum  Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-aadvantage-executive   AmEx Blue Cash Everyday Review: Solid Cash Back, $0 Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-blue-cash-everyday   5 Things to Know About the T.J. Maxx Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/tjx-rewards-platinum-mastercard  Resources discussed in this episode: 107 Travel Deals for Black Friday and Travel Tuesday in 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/2025-travel-deals-black-friday-travel-tuesday  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: credit card annual fees, travel credit cards, premium travel credit cards, airport lounge access, Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club access, Emirates premium economy, Starlink airplane Wi-Fi, Thanksgiving travel 2025, Thanksgiving flight bookings, driving vs flying Thanksgiving, vacation rental bookings Thanksgiving, Black Friday travel deals, Travel Tuesday travel deals, Emirates A350 premium economy, Emirates A380 first class, credit card travel credits, dining statement credits, StubHub credit, hotel portal credits, grocery rewards credit card, cash back on supermarkets, airport lounge math, justifying annual fees, downgrading credit cards, closing airline credit cards, airline co-branded cards, managing multiple credit cards, tracking expiring credits, no checked bag travel, carry-on only travel, and single parent travel budgeting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• AI Travel Pricing Is Here: How Airlines and Hotels Could Quietly Raise Your Rates

  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) and Sally French kick things off by covering the latest travel headlines, including pre-Thanksgiving travel deals from Hyatt, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Expedia. They also preview potentially record-setting Thanksgiving crowds, explain what the FAA’s terminated flight-reduction order means for your itinerary, unpack Apple’s new digital ID for TSA checkpoints at 250+ airports, and decode Hilton’s status shake-up. Then, Meghan interviews Lindsay Owens, executive director of economic think tank and advocacy group Groundwork Collaborative, about AI-driven pricing in travel. They explore how dynamic versus personalized “surveillance” pricing could affect airfare and hotel rates, what your loyalty data might reveal, whether booking with points shields you from AI-based price changes, how rental car companies are using AI damage scans, and what policy shifts (and traveler tactics) could help you comparison shop without feeding the algorithm. They cover what questions to ask before you click “buy,” how to spot pricing games, and where consumer protections stand — plus a spicy hot take on whether public backlash could push airlines toward more transparent fares. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/world-of-hyatt  Resources discussed in this episode: 50 Travel Deals for Black Friday and Travel Tuesday in 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/2025-travel-deals-black-friday-travel-tuesday  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: AI travel pricing, dynamic pricing airlines, personalized pricing, surveillance pricing, airline pricing algorithms, Delta AI pricing, loyalty program data privacy, travel price discrimination, points and miles dynamic pricing, rental car AI damage scan, Hertz damage photo scan, Hilton Diamond Reserve, Hilton Gold 25 nights, Hilton Diamond 50 nights, Hilton confirmable suite upgrade, Hilton late checkout 4 p.m., no resort fees on points Hilton, World of Hyatt sale, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Andaz Maui at Wailea, Alila Mayakoba, Norwegian Cruise Line Free at Sea, NCL 50% off, Expedia flash deals, Black Friday travel deals, Travel Tuesday deals, Thanksgiving travel crowds 2025, FAA flight reduction order ended, on-time arrivals 75%, Apple digital ID, Apple Wallet TSA, TSA 250 airports, alternate airports strategy, train vs flight backup, Venice Marco Polo Airport, San Antonio Hotel Emma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Adventure by Committee: What Happens When You Let Others Pick Your Trip

  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 to pay for their trip? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share how Sally’s own wedding guests chose her honeymoon destination — and the travel and financial lessons that came from it. But first, Smart Travel producer Tess Vigeland joins Sally to recap this week’s biggest travel headlines, including flight delays caused by the government shutdown, where you can find Southwest’s first-ever airport lounge, United’s new debit rewards card, updates to rewards programs like Rove Miles and Choice Privileges, and United’s new partnership with Lyft. Then, Sally and Meghan welcome Hamilton, Sally’s husband, to talk about what it’s really like to plan (and budget for) a honeymoon when you’re both avid travelers. They reveal how wedding guests voted on their destination, discuss how to use credit card sign-up bonuses to fund long-haul flights, and share takeaways on earning travel rewards as a couple, splurging smartly, and packing minimally. They cover topics from avoiding flight cancellations to making the most of hotel loyalty status, choosing between high-yield savings and mileage accounts, and how to enjoy a stress-free, meaningful honeymoon that doesn’t break the bank. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: United Launches Rewards-Earning Debit Card http://nerdwallet.com/travel/news/united-debit-card  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: honeymoon budgeting, travel rewards, honeymoon destinations, Madagascar travel, planning a honeymoon, best honeymoon spots, travel credit cards, honeymoon points strategy, credit card signup bonus, travel miles, government shutdown flight delays, Southwest lounge Honolulu, United MileagePlus Debit Rewards Card, Chase travel rewards, Capital One miles, high yield savings account vs miles, Choice Privileges Titanium, hotel loyalty programs, travel debit cards, travel credit card referrals, booking flights with points, Rove Miles and More, Lufthansa Miles and More, international honeymoon, couples travel tips, TSA delays, travel insurance, honeymoon planning timeline, luxury hotel perks, Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection, Capital One Premier Collection, elite status benefits, booking honeymoon flights, travel apps for flight alerts, honeymoon travel planning, and airport lounge benefits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How to Tell If a Premium Travel Card Is Worth the Fee

  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 down the real-world math of annual fees and rewards to help you understand when these cards pay for themselves. But first, show producer Tess Vigeland joins Meghan to cover the week’s travel headlines, including new airport lounges opening in Salt Lake City, the Southwest Rapid Rewards debit card launch, Wells Fargo adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, Wyndham Rewards ending its partnership with Vacasa, and United Airlines’ new route to Bangkok. Then, Sally and Meghan dig into how to evaluate premium travel credit cards, from lounge access and retail credits to transfer partners and redemption value. They walk through top-tier general cards including the Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Strata Elite, comparing benefits, costs, and travel protections. The hosts also cover premium airline and hotel cards, including those from Delta, United, American, Hilton, and Marriott, explaining who they’re for and when the perks truly add up. They explain how to calculate if you’re offsetting your annual fees, why lounge access matters for frequent flyers, and how to think about long-term value when juggling multiple cards. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Southwest’s New Debit Card Lets You Earn Points  Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards of November 2025  Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee  Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits  Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: Pay the Price, Enjoy the Perks  Capital One Venture X Review: Big Value for Travelers  Citi Strata Elite Review: Premium Perks Can Offset Its Premium Fee  Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Unique as They Are Valuable  Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Review: Admirals Club Access  Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review: Lofty Fee, Luxury Perks  United Quest Card: Piles of Perks and Credits, $350 Annual Fee  United Club℠ Infinite Card Review: For Frequent United Flyers  Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review: Rich Perks, Costly Fee  Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards  Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Review  Chase Freedom Flex: Multiple Bonus Rewards in One Card Resources discussed in this episode: Inside the New Salt Lake City Delta Sky Club: Giant and Cozy  What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into the Delta Sky Club?  New AmEx Centurion Lounge SLC: Fireplaces and an Outdoor Terrace  How to Get Into AmEx Centurion Lounges: Credit Cards That Grant Access  The Guide to Capital One Lounges  11 Credit Cards That Provide Travel Insurance  Airline Miles vs. Cash Calculator  Delta SkyMiles Value Calculator  Big Changes to a Top Travel Card — Is It Still Worth It or Is There a Better Fit for You? (June episode on the Chase Sapphire Reserve)  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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• How to Make Every Trip More Meaningful — Without Spending More (w/ Expedia’s “Powering Travel” Host Elisabeth Goodridge)

  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 flights? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to design trips that maximize satisfaction and meaning without paying top dollar. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including United and JetBlue’s Blue Sky partnership, Delta adding Crunchyroll to seat-back entertainment alongside free Wi-Fi, and what Travis Kelce’s investment in Six Flags could mean for affordable parks. Then, Expedia’s “Powering Travel” podcast host Elisabeth Goodridge joins Meghan to talk about how to build memorable trips. She discusses using reviews and trusted communities to find authentic experiences, considering “destination dupes” to avoid overtourism, and budgeting with hidden fees in mind. Meghan and Sally wrap up the episode by answering a listener’s question about using Capital One points on Star Alliance airlines. 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: authentic travel experiences, set-jetting, destination dupes, reciprocal elite benefits, TrueBlue Tiles, airline seat-back entertainment, hidden travel fees, resort fees explained, reviews for travel planning, local travel tips, Europe cruise no sea days, Mediterranean cruise ports, overtourism alternatives, World Travel and Tourism Council sustainability, Cotswolds travel, Hobart Tasmania travel, Sardinia Italy travel, Big Sky Montana skiing, Fort Walton Beach Emerald Coast, hidden fees in travel, budget-friendly trips, meaningful travel, Expedia Powering Travel podcast, Arthur Brooks happiness travel, Phil Keoghan travel tips, social media travel inspiration, pop culture travel trends, sustainable tourism, travel reviews and recommendations, finding local experiences, over-tourism solutions, building travel memories, mindful vacation planning, balancing cost and experience, travel value vs price, travel happiness science, small-town getaways, nearby travel adventures, and local weekend trips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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