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

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

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 cardholders and elite members, and two changes hitting Atmos Rewards members. Then, they dig into the Chase Sapphire Preferred's first major overhaul in five years. The annual fee is staying at $95 but the card is getting new benefits, updated earning categories, and some trade-offs worth knowing about. Meghan and Sally walk through every change, weigh the pros and cons, and compare the Preferred to other travel cards to help you figure out whether it still deserves a spot in your wallet. Help us plan our next live event! Take our quick survey to let us know where you would be most excited to meet our hosts and fellow listeners: https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6 [https://forms.gle/BqQz7JR6ThxdgSEY6]  Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: * Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-preferred] * Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve] * World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/world-of-hyatt] * Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/bilt-obsidian] * Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-autograph-journey] * Wells Fargo Autograph Review: Big Rewards, No Annual Fee [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/wells-fargo-autograph] * Bank of America Premium Rewards Review: Big Bonuses for B of A's Best Customers [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/bank-of-america-premium-rewards] * Citi Strata Premier: Big Rewards Across Top Spending Categories [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-strata-premier] * Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Rare as They Are Valuable [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/atmos-rewards-summit] * Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-gold-delta-skymiles] * Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum-delta-skymiles] * Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/delta-reserve] * U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Review: Good for Travel and Gas [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/us-bank-altitude-connect] Resources discussed in this episode: * Citi ThankYou Transfer Partners: A Complete Guide [https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/citi-transfer-partners-guide] Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd [https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/travelnerd-free-newsletter?utm_source=st&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=cm_organic_072325_podcast_st_desc_allepisodes_travel-nerd], our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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

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-Mobile Tuesday deals with travel perks for June, Hilton's new college-themed hotel brand called Undergraduate, and the opening of Alaska Airlines' renovated lounge at Portland International Airport. Then, Meghan and Sally dig into online shopping portals, explaining how tools like Rakuten, airline-specific portals (including American's AAdvantage eShopping, which earns loyalty points toward elite status), hotel booking platforms like Gondola, and the up-and-coming Rove Miles program could help you stack rewards on top of your credit card earnings. They also cover airline dining programs, brand partnerships with Uber, Lyft, and Starbucks, and the aggregator Cashback Monitor so you can see at a glance which portal offers the best rate for any retailer. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: * Choice Privileges Mastercard: Useful Bonus Categories, No Annual Fee [https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/choice-privileges-card]  * Choice Privileges Select Mastercard: Piles of Points for a $95 Annual Fee  [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/choice-privileges-select-card] * Bilt Blue Card: Complex Housing Rewards, Modest Everyday Ones [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/bilt-blue-card] * Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/bilt-obsidian] * Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/bilt-palladium] * American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits  [https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum] * American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families  [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-premier-rewards-gold] Resources discussed in this episode: * Inside the New Portland Alaska Lounge: A Treehouse in the Forest [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/alaska-lounge-portland] * Best Credit Card Bonuses for New Cardholders of June 2026 [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/bonus-offers] * Credit Card Transfer Partners At a Glance [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/heres-how-you-can-transfer-your-points-from-any-major-credit-card-issuer] * The Capital One Shopping Portal Is Changing How I Book Travel [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/book-with-capital-one-shopping-portal] * The Guide to Rove Miles [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/guide-to-rove-miles] Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd [https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/travelnerd-free-newsletter?utm_source=st&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=cm_organic_072325_podcast_st_desc_allepisodes_travel-nerd], our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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

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 collectors, a new Bilt deal allowing certain cardholders to earn miles on rent payments with Air France/KLM and Alaska Atmos, major updates at Disney World and Disneyland, and findings from Expedia's summer travel report on the return of last-minute booking. Then, Meghan and Sally dig into the full picture of summer travel in 2026, with tips and tricks on when airfares and hotel prices hit their seasonal floor, which domestic and international destinations are trending this summer, and how to decide whether spending points or paying cash makes more sense when prices are climbing fast. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: * Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card]  * 5 Things to Know About the Air France-KLM Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/air-france-klm-credit-card [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/air-france-klm-credit-card]  * Fanatics Rewards Card from American Express https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/amex-fanatics-to-partner-on-credit-card [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/amex-fanatics-to-partner-on-credit-card]  Resources discussed in this episode: * How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations]  * 2026 Summer Travel Report: 42% Would Rather Stay Home Than Book Budget Travel https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/studies/summer-travel-report [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/studies/summer-travel-report]  * The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/best-days-book-flight-fly [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/best-days-book-flight-fly]  Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd [https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/travelnerd-free-newsletter?utm_source=st&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=cm_organic_072325_podcast_st_desc_allepisodes_travel-nerd], our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners

Meet Your Next Dollar, a new podcast from NerdWallet Wealth Partners. This is the podcast for you if you are a high earner learning how to build wealth, navigate money trade-offs, and spend on what you actually value. Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: ⁠https://play.megaphone.fm/a4ijxxsst1inho456fxbha⁠ [https://play.megaphone.fm/a4ijxxsst1inho456fxbha] Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit ⁠⁠nerdwalletwealthpartners.com⁠⁠ [https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com?utm_source=st&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cm_organic_052026_podcast_st_linkinbio_allepisodes_trailer-drop] NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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

Learn how the new World of Hyatt award chart changes your points value and which hotels are still worth booking. Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into the sweeping changes to the World of Hyatt award chart to help you decide whether Hyatt points are still worth earning and how to use them wisely. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including a surge in airfares driven by rising oil costs and the Spirit Airlines shutdown, the new JetBlue and United reciprocal loyalty program benefits, record Memorial Day travel projections, a new Marriott Bonvoy and Outside Magazine partnership, and a roundup of deals and new attractions at Disneyland and Disney World this summer. Then, Sally and Meghan go deep on the new World of Hyatt award chart that rolled out on May 20th, covering what changed with the new five-tier pricing structure, which hotel categories are seeing the biggest cost jumps, and why Hyatt points could still hold strong value compared to competing programs. They share their favorite Hyatt properties around the globe, and discuss strategies for earning points through hotel stays, the World of Hyatt credit cards, and transfer partners including Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt. Plus: Sally and Meghan answer a listener’s question about which card to consider for a large Marriott family stay over Thanksgiving. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: * World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/world-of-hyatt] * World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: High-Value Points But No Free Night [https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/credit-cards/reviews/world-hyatt-business] * Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve] * Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Review: Ho-Hum for a High Price [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/marriott-bonvoy-bevy] Resources discussed in this episode: * How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? [https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations] * Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card [https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve] * Big Changes to a Top Travel Card — Is It Still Worth It or Is There a Better Fit for You? (Smart Travel episode about the Chase Sapphire Reserve card)  [https://play.megaphone.fm/6uyzoticsvqpr5z73zhj5g] Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd [https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/travelnerd-free-newsletter?utm_source=st&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=cm_organic_072325_podcast_st_desc_allepisodes_travel-nerd], our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]