Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

44 minutes 15 seconds

Is Bank of America Still Worth It for Travelers? New BofA Rewards Rules Explained

Learn how Bank of America's revamped rewards program could quietly cut how much cardholders earn back.

Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss Bank of America's overhauled BofA Rewards program to help you figure out whether it's still worth keeping money parked with the bank. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Southwest Airlines' new airport lounges and premium credit card, JetBlue's new BlueFirst domestic first class, a waterpark expansion at Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, and several credit card transfer bonuses.

Then, they discuss the new BofA Rewards tiers, with tips and tricks on how the earning-bonus structure changed, whether the new subscription and lifestyle perks make up for a lower rewards multiplier, and how to decide if it's worth keeping a large balance with Bank of America or moving it elsewhere.

Enter for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card — and help us improve our show — by taking our listener survey! Find the survey and official sweepstakes rules here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mEvFsa0x3ZlcHNrebvp3zYoA8UGfATY_MOOzZ_FyAzs/edit

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

See Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand-new Great Tides Waterpark on Instagram (via @SaveWithSally)

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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9 September 2026, 7:10 am

55 minutes 50 seconds

Best Credit Cards for Dining Rewards in 2026: How to Earn More at Restaurants

Learn how to earn more restaurant rewards, and whether paying extra for a premium card's dining credit is worth it.

Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to make the most of credit card rewards on restaurant spending to help you eat out for less. But first, producer Tess Vigeland joins Meghan to break down the latest travel headlines, including limited-time welcome offers across Delta and American Express's SkyMiles credit card lineup, an access change at JetBlue's new BlueHouse lounge in Boston, and Google's new AI Mode that can price flights and hotels in points and miles.

Then, they discuss dining rewards, with tips and tricks on choosing the best card for your regular restaurant spending, stacking airline and Bilt dining programs on top of card rewards, and unlocking harder-to-get restaurant reservations through cardholder perks.

Enter for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card — and help us improve our show — by taking our listener survey! Find the survey and official sweepstakes rules here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mEvFsa0x3ZlcHNrebvp3zYoA8UGfATY_MOOzZ_FyAzs/edit

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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2 September 2026, 7:10 am

1 hour 3 minutes

How to Coupon Your Way Around the World, with Torok Coupon Hunter

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 Coupon Hunter — about turning everyday savings from groceries, gas and gift cards into a bigger travel budget. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Air France and KLM's Flying Blue splitting award tickets into three new pricing tiers, Bilt's new partnership with Equinox, Alaska Airlines' new nonstop routes from Seattle to Athens and Paris, American Airlines' plan to bring back seatback screens fleetwide, and fresh data from Expedia showing this fall's shoulder-season travel deals aren't as deep as usual.

Then, Meghan and Sally jump into Kiersti's world of extreme couponing, covering which cash-back apps (like Rakuten, Ibotta and Fetch) are worth keeping on your phone, how to stack store promotions like Target Circle deals with discounted gift cards, and when buying gift cards for Disney, Southwest and other travel brands can help stretch a vacation budget. They also cover strategies for saving on gas and Kiersti's tips for hacking the Disney dining plan without a full binder of coupons.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

Special Gondola offer: Earn a $50 sign-up bonus in the form of Gondola Cash when you create a Gondola account and make your first hotel or car rental reservation. Sign up for a free account using this link, then make your first hotel or car reservation. (To qualify, the cost before taxes and fees must be greater than $150.) Once your reservation has been completed, $50 in Gondola Cash will be active in your account. Gondola Cash can then be applied to cover the total cost of any hotel available on Gondola. Offer expires Sept. 30, 2026.

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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26 August 2026, 7:10 am

1 hour 3 minutes

Bilt to Last? Grading Bilt Rewards Six Months On

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 revamped rewards program to help you decide whether the housing-focused card still earns its keep. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including an expanded Bilt and BLADE helicopter-booking partnership, big Disney theme park news out of the D23 Expo, new data on which premium credit cards score highest for customer satisfaction, and Amex's Resy dining credit expanding to more restaurants.

Then, joined by fellow Nerd and credit cards writer Craig Joseph, Sally and Meghan discuss their real-world experience with Bilt Rewards 2.0, with tips and tricks on choosing between Bilt's two rewards options for housing payments, deciding whether putting your rent on a rewards card is worth the hassle, and stacking Bilt points with airline and hotel transfer partners.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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19 August 2026, 7:10 am

52 minutes 12 seconds

Finding Cheap Flights, Mastering Layovers, and Knowing Your Card’s Benefits (Put to the Test!)

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 handle curveballs with more confidence. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including new perks tied to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts' 35th anniversary, American Airlines' plan to change complimentary upgrades on some transcontinental and Hawaii routes starting August 25, and new welcome bonuses on Marriott's Bonvoy Bevy and Brilliant credit cards.

Then, Meghan and Sally share tips and tricks on thinking fast while traveling by facing off in a series of in-studio games. They cover how quickly you can track down a cheap flight to a random destination, what to do when a layover doesn't go as planned, and how well you actually know which perks come with which credit card.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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12 August 2026, 1:01 pm

45 minutes 40 seconds

Ask the Nerds: Booking Traps, Transfer Optimization and Card Strategy

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 smarter points, transfer and booking decisions. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Chase Sapphire Lounge's exit from the Priority Pass and LoungeKey networks, Citi and American Airlines' refreshed Executive World Legend Mastercard, Amex Membership Rewards' new transfer partnership with Leading Hotels of the World's Leaders Club, and Citi and Mastercard's expanded Curated Table dining series for Strata Elite cardmembers.

Then, Sally and Meghan open up the mailbag, with tips and tricks on turning a modest Delta points balance into a business-class trip to Italy, deciding whether a Wise account makes sense for a teen's summer abroad, weighing whether to transfer Wyndham points to airline partners, and sorting out how new United MileagePlus earning rules affect which card to use for a flight.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

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5 August 2026, 7:10 am

44 minutes 38 seconds

The 7 Things Our Travel Pros Insist On Packing

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 without, to help you pack smarter on your next trip. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the Seats.aero Chrome extension, an update to the Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks partnership starting August 5, Bilt's August Rent Day promotion offering an ALL Accor status match, how to score free DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies on August 4, and NerdWallet's TSA data on the best and worst days to fly over Labor Day weekend.

Then, Meghan and Sally discuss their top travel items, including why a 2-in-1 backpack could replace your entire bag strategy, what features actually make a crossbody bag pickpocket-proof, how packing cubes and a spare tote solve the overcrowding problem, and why a deck of cards might be the most underrated thing you can pack.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Is a Bilt Credit Card Worth It?

Resources discussed in this episode:

Select travel essentials shared in this episode:

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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29 July 2026, 7:10 am

48 minutes 14 seconds

What to Ask Your Hotel Concierge: Free Upgrades, Insider Deals, and What Most Travelers Miss

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. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the opening of the new Chase Sapphire Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, a new points-conversion and status-challenge partnership between World of Hyatt and Air Canada's Aeroplan program, and Marriott Bonvoy's expanded partnership with Japan Airlines that could fast-track travelers to Oneworld elite status.

Then, joined by Fredrick Jones, Director of Rooms & Guest Relations at NH Hotel Group, they explore what hotel concierges can realistically do for guests, with tips on whether upgrades without elite status are possible, how to request perks most travelers don't think to ask for, and why a four-star property with a strong concierge desk could rival a five-star experience. They also help listener Sharon figure out how to put 150,000 Chase points to work for a family trip to Hawaii.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

*The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.

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22 July 2026, 7:10 am

1 hour 3 minutes

Is an Alaska Cruise Actually Worth It? We Went to Find Out

*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 swear they hate cruises?

Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle, recording live in-studio from Scottsdale, Arizona, share dueling trip reports from their own separate Alaska cruises. They cover when to go, how to choose between the big flashy ships and the smaller expedition lines, which ports are worth booking an excursion for — think dog sledding, glacier canoeing and salmon fishing — versus which ones you can skip, whether the balcony upgrade is worth the splurge, and how to avoid getting fleeced by the ship’s gift shop if seasickness strikes.

But first, Sally and Meghan dig into the latest travel news, including Delta's controversial new no-frills business class fare, a big refresh to the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining credit and OpenTable restaurant list, an update to Wells Fargo's travel portal that now includes direct Southwest Airlines booking, and a preview of Holland America's new Christmas markets-and-Baltic Sea sailings.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

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15 July 2026, 7:10 am

53 minutes 6 seconds

Your Flight Got Canceled. Here's How to Beat Summer's Worst Travel Chaos

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 knowing which layovers to avoid. But first, Sally breaks down the latest travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland (filling in for Meghan), discussing American Airlines' new grab-and-go lounge concept coming to JFK, a preview of Royal Caribbean's massive new Legend of the Seas, and Marriott's decision to end its 34-year partnership with Pepsi in favor of Coca-Cola.

Then, Paul Bernardini, Head of Marketing at Flighty, joins to break down why June and July are historically the worst months to fly, which U.S. and European airlines rack up the most delays, and how the Flighty app tracks your inbound plane 25 hours before it lands — and sometimes lets you know what’s going on with your flight before your own pilot finds out.

They also answer a question from Emily, who wants to know the best business credit card for her partner's restaurant to complement their existing Alaska Airlines cards and boost points toward hotels.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

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8 July 2026, 7:10 am

58 minutes 38 seconds

The ADHD Traveler's Guide to Airport Security, Budgeting and Staying on Schedule

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, with tips to help you avoid lost passports, missed flights and packing mishaps. But first, Sally breaks down the latest travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland, discussing Wyndham Rewards' overhaul of its award chart, Bilt's new transfer partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts' I Prefer program, and the debut of a new Delta One lounge at LAX.

Then, Dr. Andrew Kahn, Associate Director of Expertise and Behavioral Health Innovation at Understood.org, joins Sally and Meghan to discuss traveling with ADHD, with tips and tricks on managing time blindness at the airport, organizing your bag and routines to avoid sensory overload, and budgeting for trips without overspending.

Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Resources discussed in this episode:

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.

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1 July 2026, 7:10 am