Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Learn how to pack light for a cold-weather trip with compact layers, versatile shoes and cheap warm-up essentials. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share the items they pack for every winter trip to help you stay warm without checking a bag. They break down when a pricey packable down jacket could be worth the splurge, how a VAT refund abroad could cut the cost of a big purchase, and why foldab...

Learn how airline credit cards could earn you more miles, cheaper award flights, elite status and free checked bags. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss airline credit cards to help you decide whether one belongs in your wallet. They break down why United cardholders now earn more miles on United flights, how Southwest cards unlock early seat selection and checked bags, which airlines offe...

Learn the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, plus when to book to save on airfare. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the best days to fly and book around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's to help you dodge crowds and save on holiday airfare this year. They break down why airfare has climbed so much in 2026, which travel days could be cheapest or m...

What does Southwest's loyalty overhaul mean for the Companion Pass, elite status and credit card earning in 2027? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss Southwest's Rapid Rewards overhaul to help you figure out whether the Companion Pass and elite status are still within your reach in 2027. They break down how the Companion Pass becomes a perk of the new Platinum tier, why credit card welcome...

Learn how to find award availability for hard-to-book business class flights and hotels using your points and miles to travel. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to find availability for hard-to-book award flights and hotels to help you get more value from your points and miles when you travel. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including American Express’ plans t...

Learn how to use award travel search tools like Seats.aero to find flights you can book with points and miles. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss how to search for award flights across dozens of airline loyalty programs to help you get more value from your credit card points and miles. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Bilt joining Chase in cutting its Worl...

Learn how to book your first flight with points and miles, and how to tell whether an award flight is a good deal. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss the basics of booking flights with points and miles to help you turn a stash of rewards into your next trip. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including a new Atmos Rewards option that lets members choose how they earn...

Learn how to audit a wallet full of credit cards and decide which annual fees are actually worth paying. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss how to assess a wallet full of credit cards to help you figure out which ones are actually working for you. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including a doubled hotel credit and a new ad-spend cap on the Chase Sapphire Reserve f...

All the Hacks podcast host Chris Hutchins reveals his tricks for finding hidden discounts and getting real value out of points and miles — without the headache. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discuss practical strategies for earning and redeeming points and miles to help you book the trips you actually want. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the refreshed Chase...

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 c...

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 an...

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...

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-bookin...

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 chang...

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...

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...

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 betw...

*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,...

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...

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...

Find out which credit cards could turn your wedding costs into a business class honeymoon. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the best credit cards for wedding expenses and how to use the points you earn to pay for your honeymoon. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including data projecting a record number of Independence Day travelers and which days to avoid (or targ...

Learn what it really costs to honeymoon in one of the world's least-visited countries and how to get there on points. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French share what it actually costs to honeymoon in one of the world's least-visited countries. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits that went live June 15th, a full Wyndham Rewards...

Learn how the Chase Sapphire Preferred's biggest refresh in years could change how you earn and redeem travel points. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French break down the latest travel headlines, including Delta's expanded free checked bag perk, a new ride-hailing credit on select Delta cards, a second Delta One Lounge coming to LAX, World of Hyatt's new 12-month advance booking window for cardholde...

Learn how to earn more points and miles on everyday shopping using portals, dining programs, and partner apps. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss the sometimes-overlooked ways you could earn bonus points and miles on purchases you're already making. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including new summer airfare price drop data from Kayak's updated trends dashboard, T...

Learn how summer 2026 travel costs are rising and which booking strategies could help you save money this season. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss what's driving up summer travel costs in 2026 and how to plan smarter despite them. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including what American Express's new partnership with Fanatics could mean for sports fans and points...