Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
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, practical tools, and tactics. Dive deep with the experts as they lay out all the options so you can finally plan that dream vacation.
So put your seat in its full upright position, buckle up, and let’s help that travel budget take you places you’ve only dreamed about.
Join hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle, two of NerdWallet’s expert travel Nerds, as they lay out tips, tools, and strategies for your next travel getaway, including:
Travel budgeting: What’s the best way to budget for a vacation? How can you save money planning travel? The Nerds compare the best travel budgeting tools.
Travel Strategies: Should you use travel points or travel miles? Should you Airbnb or get a hotel? The Nerds have your how-to travel guide for your next trip.
Family vacation planning: Thinking of a Disney trip or something more tropical? Should you fly or rent a car? The Nerds lay out your options so you can decide the best way to book your next family vacation.
Travel Agents: Can travel agents save you money? Are there better alternatives? The Nerds dive into the actual cost of financial traveling and lay out your best options.
Seasonal timing: When’s the right time to book travel for next summer? How far out should you plan a holiday getaway? The Nerds got you covered from Spring to Winter with smart travel strategies.
Fee and policy changes: How do the latest TSA rules affect you? The Nerds break down recent regulations and how it impacts your next travel budget.
Travel Planning Tools: Not sure about a new travel app? Does that website actually give you the best deals? The Nerds have reviewed all the major platforms and share their pros, cons, and insights.
Destination-Specific Booking Strategies: Dreaming of Hawaiian or European getaways? The Nerds can help you and your travel budget when booking popular travel destinations.
If you’re planning on traveling within the next 12 months and ready to start researching and booking your next great adventure, then follow Smart Travel to upgrade your getaways.
You’ll love Smart Travel if you like podcasts like: Far From Home, Zero to Travel, Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad, Amateur Traveler, Point Me To First Class, Takeoff A Points And Miles Podcast, Frequent Miler On The Air, Women Who Travel, and many other travel related podcasts.
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Latest Episode
Previous Episodes
- $2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet to Make Sure They’re Worth It (Video Episode)
- AI Travel Pricing Is Here: How Airlines and Hotels Could Quietly Raise Your Rates
- Adventure by Committee: What Happens When You Let Others Pick Your Trip
- How to Tell If a Premium Travel Card Is Worth the Fee
- How to Make Every Trip More Meaningful — Without Spending More (w/ Expedia’s “Powering Travel” Host Elisabeth Goodridge)
- Travel More, Stress Less: How to Build a Financial Plan That Funds Your Adventures
- When to Book and Fly for Cheaper Holiday Trips in 2025
- Enjoy the Halloween Travel Boom Without Getting Scared by Prices (Video Episode)
- Stop Wasting Time (and Miles): Points vs. Cash Tools for Easier Booking
- Getting Paid to Plan Trips Doesn't Have to Be a Full-Time Job: How to Become a Travel Advisor in 2025
- Keep or Cut the Amex Platinum? What New Perks Mean for Frequent Travelers
- How One Family Flew Business Class to Europe on Points — and Stayed in Style
- Cash or Miles? The 2025 Points Valuations That Could Change How You Travel
- Airport Lounge Access, Family Award Travel, and Cruise Savings: Your Questions Answered
- How to Pay for Study Abroad and Save Overseas (Plus: Alaska Airlines’ New Rewards Program and Premium Travel Card)
- Pack Smarter, Spend Less: How to Travel Light Without Losing Comfort
- Lost Bag Bailout: How Travel Insurance and Credit Cards Can Save You Thousands
- Your Travel Credit Card Questions Answered: What to Keep, What to Add, and When to Redeem
- New Consumer Protections Could Save You Hundreds on Your Next Flight
- Italy Beyond the Tourist Map: How to Get Around, Spend Less, and Explore Like a Local
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