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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
American Express
Rental Cars
Travel Tips
United Airlines
Marriott

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes62Foundeda year ago
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Artwork for Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Latest Episodes

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... more

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... more

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... more

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

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jana Kate
Avid traveler with her dog Pokito
Independent traveler featured on the episode
Episode: Traveling with Pets: How to Put Your Paws on the Best Airlines and Hotels for Furry Family Members
Craig Joseph
Guest expert on ski industry data and passes
Unspecified in episode
Episode: Before You Book a Ski Trip, Learn How to Save on Mountain Hotels, Ski Rentals and Lift Tickets
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)

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 285 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 States2 months 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 States4 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 States6 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.

Before You Book a Ski Trip, Learn How to Save on Mountain Hotels, Ski Rentals and Lift Tickets
Q: What is the best time of year to buy ski season passes, and what should people consider before pulling the trigger?
March is a strong time to buy because many passes go on sale and you can secure discounts, but you should weigh blackout dates, your expected skiing days, and whether you'll travel to out-of-network resorts; pay attention to spring snow conditions and ensure the pass aligns with your typical schedule to maximize break-even value.
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.

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?

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

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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. The Thrifty Traveler Podcast
3. The Frommer's Travel Show
4. Award Travel 101
5. Frequent Miler on the Air

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

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways launched a year ago and published 62 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.

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

Recent guests on Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways include:

1. Jana Kate
2. Craig Joseph
3. Alyssa Mala
4. Kathleen Wilson
5. Ben Kim
6. Benjamin Din
7. Samantha Brown
8. Jenn Lee

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.

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