Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
Episodes
Best and Worst Carriers for Standby and Same-Day Changes — and How to Capitalize (Video Episode)
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 F...
Maximizing Miles, Sharing Points, Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Your Travel Questions Answered
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We answer listener questions about travel insurance, Chase point transfers, lounge access, free checked bags, and more. Host Sally French opens the e...
$2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet to Make Sure They’re Worth It (Video Episode)
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 r...
AI Travel Pricing Is Here: How Airlines and Hotels Could Quietly Raise Your Rates
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Adventure by Committee: What Happens When You Let Others Pick Your Trip
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How to Tell If a Premium Travel Card Is Worth the Fee
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 to Make Every Trip More Meaningful — Without Spending More (w/ Expedia’s “Powering Travel” Host Elisabeth Goodridge)
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how you can make travel more meaningful without overspending or missing out on authentic experiences. How do you plan a vacation that feels “...
Travel More, Stress Less: How to Build a Financial Plan That Funds Your Adventures
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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-t...
When to Book and Fly for Cheaper Holiday Trips in 2025
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Enjoy the Halloween Travel Boom Without Getting Scared by Prices (Video Episode)
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special video episode, watch Sally brave haunted attractions and reveal the surprising rise of Halloween vacations. Is Halloween travel wor...
Stop Wasting Time (and Miles): Points vs. Cash Tools for Easier Booking
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fligh...
How to Start a Side Hustle as a Travel Advisor and Get Paid to Plan Trips
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fora cofounder Henley Vazquez reveals how travelers turn trip planning into income and which destinations are trending. How much money can you make w...
Keep or Cut the Amex Platinum? What New Perks Mean for Frequent Travelers
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
New Episode Coming Tomorrow — With Big Travel News!
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How One Family Flew Business Class to Europe on Points — and Stayed in Style
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how an entire family traveled to Europe on points, including business class flights, boutique stays, and mountain escapes. How do you book busi...
Cash or Miles? The 2025 Points Valuations That Could Change How You Travel
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Airport Lounge Access, Family Award Travel, and Cruise Savings: Your Questions Answered
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How to Pay for Study Abroad and Save Overseas (Plus: Alaska Airlines’ New Rewards Program and Premium Travel Card)
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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’...
Pack Smarter, Spend Less: How to Travel Light Without Losing Comfort
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Lost Bag Bailout: How Travel Insurance and Credit Cards Can Save You Thousands
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
Your Travel Credit Card Questions Answered: What to Keep, What to Add, and When to Redeem
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Optimize your travel rewards strategy with the latest card and perk updates, smart downgrade-and-reapply moves, and tips for combining and redeeming p...
New Consumer Protections Could Save You Hundreds on Your Next Flight
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Italy Beyond the Tourist Map: How to Get Around, Spend Less, and Explore Like a Local
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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? Ho...
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: What Savvy Travelers Do Differently to Make Every Dollar Count
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 $...
What AI Can’t Book: How Travel Advisors Deliver VIP Perks at No Extra Cost
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 tr...
Summer Travel Deals: Where Prices Are Dropping and How to Book Luxury for Less
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Score travel deals, discover hotel savings, and learn how to maximize your budget without missing out this summer. How can you travel this summer w...
Big Changes to a Top Travel Card — Is It Still Worth It or Is There a Better Fit for You?
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Making Group Travel Work: Planning Trips for Different Budgets, Ages, and Interests
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Is Epic Universe the Future of Theme Parks? Here’s How to Save When You Go
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Epi...
How to Plan an Itinerary That Saves Money, Avoids Crowds, and Unlocks Hidden Gems
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Disney Done Right: When to Go, What to Skip, and How to Save at Disney Parks
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The Benefits of Award Search Tools and When They’re Worth Paying For
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Insider Strategies for First-Class Cruise Perks Without the Premium Price
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Where 100,000 Points Can Take You: First Class Seats, Five-Star Suites and VIP Upgrades
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Explore your options for spending 100,000 credit card points, with tips on redemptions for luxury flights, hotels, and hidden travel perks. What ar...
When and How to Transfer Credit Card Rewards Points To Get The Most Value
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn when it’s worth transferring credit card points — and how to avoid costly mistakes that waste your rewards. When should you transfer your c...
Room Blocks, Rental Cars, and a Plus-One: Smarter Wedding Travel for Savvy Guests
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ov...
The New Rules of Travel Rewards: Spend More or Lose Out
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How to Plan Smarter and Save More on Summer Travel
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Secrets to Finding Cheap Flights and Avoiding Fees, Straight from Scott’s Cheap Flights
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. W...
How to Visit National Parks for Free, Avoid Crowds, and Save on Lodging
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Best Travel Credit Cards, Southwest Policy Changes, and Disneyland Deals
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How to Get Elite Travel Perks Without Traveling Every Week or Overpaying
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How to Budget for Trips: When to Book and How to Avoid Hidden Fees
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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? H...
Flight Canceled? How to Get a Refund, Rebook, or Even Travel for Free
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 flig...
Avoid These 5 Costly Travel Mistakes to Save Time, Money, and Stress
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From booking flights to getting through airport security, NerdWallet’s travel pros share five costly mistakes — and how to avoid them. Is TSA Pre...
Welcome to Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, from NerdWallet
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, debutin...