Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways cover art

All Episodes

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways — 85 episodes

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Title
1

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

2

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

3

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

4

Bilt to Last? Grading Bilt Rewards Six Months On

5

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

6

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

7

The 7 Things Our Travel Pros Insist On Packing

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

Best Credit Cards for Weddings: Turn Venue Bills Into Honeymoon Flights and Hotel Nights

13

The Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Countries: What $300 a Day in Madagascar Really Buys You

14

Unpacking the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Biggest Update in Five Years: What You Need to Know

15

Earn More Points on Purchases You Already Make: Online Shopping, Dining, Rideshares and More

16

Summer Travel 2026: How to Time Your Trip, Pick Your Destination, and Actually Save Money

17

Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners

18

World of Hyatt Award Chart Changes 2026: What's New and Where to Get the Most Value

19

How to Travel Without Paying for a Hotel: Inside Home Swapping and Pet Sitting Apps

20

Family Travel on Points, Solo Trip Ideas, and Booking Tools Compared: Your Travel Questions Answered

21

The Best Travel Credit Cards With Annual Fees Under $100

22

How Airline Alliance Status Gets You Into the World's Best Airport Lounges for Free

23

Family Travel on Points and Miles: Free Checked Bags, Companion Passes, and Miles Pooling

24

Traveling with Pets: How to Put Your Paws on the Best Airlines and Hotels for Furry Family Members

25

How to Spend Less on Big Sports Trips in 2026: FIFA World Cup 2026, PGA Championship and More

26

Rental Cars in 2026: How to Skip the Counter, Cut Costs, and Avoid Insurance Mistakes

27

Before You Book a Ski Trip, Learn How to Save on Mountain Hotels, Ski Rentals and Lift Tickets

28

Travel Questions Mega-Episode: Top Tips from Our Top Listener Questions

29

Don’t Get “Noob Taxed”: The Travel Add-Ons That Drain Your Budget

30

25 Airports in 6 Months: The Real Lessons From JetBlue’s 350,000-Point Challenge

31

Mediterranean Cruise Game Plan: Santorini, Mykonos, and the Greek Islands Without Transit Chaos

32

2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily

33

Credit Card Hotel Programs vs Booking Direct: A Clearer Way to Compare Prices

34

What Would You Do for a Million Miles? The Extreme Points Play from Ashley Gets Around

35

Bilt Card 2.0 Explained: Can Rent (or a Mortgage) Earn Points—and Is It Worth the Math?

36

Fix Your Travel Credit Card Mix So Your Points Actually Add Up

37

Samantha Brown on Places to Love, Route 66, and the Travel Habits That Save You Money

38

2025 Travel Trends and 2026 Predictions: Where to Go Next and How to Pay for It

39

Skip Google, Get the Suite: How Travel Advisors Deliver Luxury You Can’t Book Yourself

40

What “Amazing Race” Host Phil Keoghan Learned from a Life of Travel (“Powering Travel” Episode)

41

Best and Worst Carriers for Standby and Same-Day Changes — and How to Capitalize (Video Episode)

42

Maximizing Miles, Sharing Points, Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Your Travel Questions Answered

43

$2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet to Make Sure They’re Worth It (Video Episode)

44

AI Travel Pricing Is Here: How Airlines and Hotels Could Quietly Raise Your Rates

45

Adventure by Committee: What Happens When You Let Others Pick Your Trip

46

How to Tell If a Premium Travel Card Is Worth the Fee

47

How to Make Every Trip More Meaningful — Without Spending More (w/ Expedia’s “Powering Travel” Host Elisabeth Goodridge)

48

Travel More, Stress Less: How to Build a Financial Plan That Funds Your Adventures

49

When to Book and Fly for Cheaper Holiday Trips in 2025

50

Enjoy the Halloween Travel Boom Without Getting Scared by Prices (Video Episode)

51

Stop Wasting Time (and Miles): Points vs. Cash Tools for Easier Booking

52

Getting Paid to Plan Trips Doesn't Have to Be a Full-Time Job: How to Become a Travel Advisor in 2025

53

Keep or Cut the Amex Platinum? What New Perks Mean for Frequent Travelers

54

How One Family Flew Business Class to Europe on Points — and Stayed in Style

55

Cash or Miles? The 2025 Points Valuations That Could Change How You Travel

56

Airport Lounge Access, Family Award Travel, and Cruise Savings: Your Questions Answered

57

How to Pay for Study Abroad and Save Overseas (Plus: Alaska Airlines’ New Rewards Program and Premium Travel Card)

58

Pack Smarter, Spend Less: How to Travel Light Without Losing Comfort

59

Lost Bag Bailout: How Travel Insurance and Credit Cards Can Save You Thousands

60

Your Travel Credit Card Questions Answered: What to Keep, What to Add, and When to Redeem

61

New Consumer Protections Could Save You Hundreds on Your Next Flight

62

Italy Beyond the Tourist Map: How to Get Around, Spend Less, and Explore Like a Local

63

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: What Savvy Travelers Do Differently to Make Every Dollar Count

64

What AI Can’t Book: How Travel Advisors Deliver VIP Perks at No Extra Cost

65

Summer Travel Deals: Where Prices Are Dropping and How to Book Luxury for Less

66

Big Changes to a Top Travel Card — Is It Still Worth It or Is There a Better Fit for You?

67

Making Group Travel Work: Planning Trips for Different Budgets, Ages, and Interests

68

Is Epic Universe the Future of Theme Parks? Here’s How to Save When You Go

69

How to Plan an Itinerary That Saves Money, Avoids Crowds, and Unlocks Hidden Gems

70

Disney Done Right: When to Go, What to Skip, and How to Save at Disney Parks

71

The Benefits of Award Search Tools and When They’re Worth Paying For

72

Insider Strategies for First-Class Cruise Perks Without the Premium Price

73

Where 100,000 Points Can Take You: First Class Seats, Five-Star Suites and VIP Upgrades

74

When and How to Transfer Credit Card Rewards Points To Get The Most Value

75

Room Blocks, Rental Cars, and a Plus-One: Smarter Wedding Travel for Savvy Guests

76

The New Rules of Travel Rewards: Spend More or Lose Out

77

How to Plan Smarter and Save More on Summer Travel

78

Secrets to Finding Cheap Flights and Avoiding Fees, Straight from Scott’s Cheap Flights

79

How to Visit National Parks for Free, Avoid Crowds, and Save on Lodging

80

Best Travel Credit Cards, Southwest Policy Changes, and Disneyland Deals

81

How to Get Elite Travel Perks Without Traveling Every Week or Overpaying

82

How to Budget for Trips: When to Book and How to Avoid Hidden Fees

83

Flight Canceled? How to Get a Refund, Rebook, or Even Travel for Free

84

Avoid These 5 Costly Travel Mistakes to Save Time, Money, and Stress

85

Welcome to Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, from NerdWallet