Rephonic
Artwork for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

NerdWallet Travel
Nerdwallet
Weddings
Travel Costs
Airfare
Budgeting
Southwest Airlines
Travel Credit Cards
Elite Status
Room Blocks
Travel Budgeting
Credit Cards
American Airlines
Accommodation
Gifts
Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels
American Express
Rental Cars
Travel Tips
United Airlines

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, practica... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes59Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureBusinessPlaces & Travel

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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... more

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... more

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... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Alyssa Mala
travel blogger at Do You Have Fly-Fi and co-host of the Blue Did It 25 for 25 Community Celebration
Episode: 25 Airports in 6 Months: The Real Lessons From JetBlue’s 350,000-Point Challenge
Kathleen Wilson
participant who completed the JetBlue 25 for 25 Challenge and became part of an online community
Episode: 25 Airports in 6 Months: The Real Lessons From JetBlue’s 350,000-Point Challenge
Ben Kim
student attending fly school and participant in JetBlue 25 for 25 promotion
Episode: 25 Airports in 6 Months: The Real Lessons From JetBlue’s 350,000-Point Challenge
Benjamin Din
Expert in airline elite status strategies and programs.
NerdWallet
Episode: 2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily
Samantha Brown
Travel television personality and host of the PBS series Places to Love.
PBS
Episode: Samantha Brown on Places to Love, Route 66, and the Travel Habits That Save You Money
Jenn Lee
President and CMO of Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners
Travel Planners International
Episode: Skip Google, Get the Suite: How Travel Advisors Deliver Luxury You Can’t Book Yourself
Elizabeth Ayoola
Financial expert and co-host of Smart Money
Smart Money
Episode: $2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet to Make Sure They’re Worth It (Video Episode)
Lindsay Owens
Executive Director of Groundwork Collaborative
Groundwork Collaborative
Episode: AI Travel Pricing Is Here: How Airlines and Hotels Could Quietly Raise Your Rates
Elisabeth Goodridge
Director of content at Expedia Group and host of Expedia's podcast Powering Travel
Expedia Group
Episode: How to Make Every Trip More Meaningful — Without Spending More (w/ Expedia’s “Powering Travel” Host Elisabeth Goodridge)

Hosts

Sally French
Co-host and expert travel Nerd, providing insights on travel strategies and budgeting, with experience in reviewing travel tools and techniques.
Meghan Coyle
Co-host and expert travel Nerd, focusing on smart travel planning and budgeting techniques, with insights drawn from personal travel experiences.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 270 ratings
  • I got hotel status thanks to this podcast!

    This show made me aware of a hotel elite status that came with a credit card that I’ve had for over a year. I had no idea that I was sitting on such a great perk! Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cute dots
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great pod

    Great way to keep up with the best ways to travel on a budget. A must-listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Curtis Howell
    United States2 months ago
  • Wanted to like this podcast

    The speed, pitch and editing of this podcast make it difficult to follow the conversation. In addition, the host doesn't seem to listen carefully to answers from guests, repeats questions, and occasionally sounda off topic. NerdWallet can do better

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    650Traveller
    United States3 months ago
  • 1.5x?

    I have to check my app when I listen bc they talk so fast and so high pitched I think I must have it on 1.5 or 2x speed.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Meqwe7564
    United States5 months ago
  • It’s good

    I don’t have any complaints

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Parker traver
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The information provided is often described as insightful, helpful, and perfect for both novice and seasoned travelers.
Content on travel deals and budgeting is frequently praised, marking it as a reliable source for practical travel tips.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' youthful enthusiasm and expert advice on travel strategies, especially with budgeting and value-based planning.
There are criticisms regarding the hosts' high energy and conversational style, with some finding it distracting or overly casual.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Travel Questions Mega-Episode: Top Tips from Our Top Listener Questions
Q: Is it worth upgrading to the Chase Sapphire Reserve given the higher annual fee versus staying with the Preferred?
The Reserve adds credits ( Lyft, Apple TV, hotel credits), lounge access, and stronger transfer partners, but whether it's worth it depends on how much you will utilize those benefits; you can downgrade later rather than cancel to preserve credit history.
Travel Questions Mega-Episode: Top Tips from Our Top Listener Questions
Q: If I book a cheaper room in Orlando with Wyndham Diamond status, would I get a free suite upgrade based on my status?
Upgrade eligibility is at the discretion of the property and is not automatic; you should request a suite at check-in and accept that availability may limit upgrades, which is particularly true in high-occupancy markets like Orlando.
Mediterranean Cruise Game Plan: Santorini, Mykonos, and the Greek Islands Without Transit Chaos
Q: Are there any airline or hotel brands that are easier to earn status without needing their co-branded credit card?
Meghan suggests brand like Choice Hotels as it allows you to earn Elite status after just five nights, making it a good option for diverse travelers.
2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily
Q: Is there any credit card that offers free checked baggage for international travel?
It depends on where you're going and which airline you're flying, as many major US carriers do not charge for the first checked bag on international flights bought at main cabin fare.
Fix Your Travel Credit Card Mix So Your Points Actually Add Up
Q: Are there any new credit cards you recommend for international travelers?
Meghan recommends the At Most Rewards Summit Card for its unique bonus points on foreign purchases.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

What is Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners can expect informative discussions focused on maximizing travel budgets and making the most out of their travel dollars. The hosts, both travel experts from NerdWallet, explore a variety of topics tailored to helping travelers navigate the complexities of travel planning, including budgeting strategies, travel agents' roles, destination-specific booking techniques, travel tools, and seasonal timing for trips. The podcast aims to provide actionable insights and tips that empower listeners to make informed decisions about their travel arrangements, engage with current travel trends, and find the best deals available for their desired getaways. Its engaging format, which combines expert advice with listener interaction, makes it a v... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways:

1. NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
2. Point Me To First Class
3. Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points
4. All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life
5. Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel Tricks

How many episodes of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways are there?

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways launched a year ago and published 59 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways?

Recent guests on Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways include:

1. Alyssa Mala
2. Kathleen Wilson
3. Ben Kim
4. Benjamin Din
5. Samantha Brown
6. Jenn Lee
7. Elizabeth Ayoola
8. Lindsay Owens

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days