Podcast Summary: All Of It – "How to Save Money on Fall Travel"

Release Date: August 7, 2025 | Host: Alison Stewart | Guest: Sally French, NerdWallet's Lead Travel Writer and Smart Travel Podcast Host

Introduction

In the episode titled "How to Save Money on Fall Travel," Alison Stewart hosts Sally French from NerdWallet to discuss strategies for planning cost-effective trips during the fall season. The conversation delves into booking tips, popular destinations, travel trends, and financial considerations to help listeners maximize their travel experiences without breaking the bank.

Planning Fall Travel

Alison Stewart opens the discussion by highlighting the importance of early planning for fall travel. She emphasizes the value of preparing for trips several months in advance to secure better deals and avoid last-minute price hikes.

Sally French (00:52):
"You've had a great lineup of travel content, but thinking forward is my most exciting thing to do."

Current Travel Trends

Sally French provides insights into recent travel spending trends, noting a decline compared to the previous year. She attributes this to lower airfares and hotel prices, although daily expenses like dining and entertainment remain high.

Sally French (02:25):
"Travel spending is down and there are two big reasons for that. That is lower airfares and lower hotel prices."

Despite certain expenses rising, the overall decrease in airfare costs presents opportunities for travelers looking to navigate end-of-summer and holiday deals effectively.

Popular Destinations

The conversation shifts to emerging travel destinations. Sally observes a resurgence in Las Vegas travel, which had previously seen a downturn due to perceived high costs. Additionally, cruises are gaining popularity, especially multi-generational group trips that offer all-inclusive budgeting and ease of planning.

Sally French (05:06):
"One of the interesting ones is people thought Vegas was so expensive and so people stopped going to Vegas and now we're seeing Vegas is cheap again."

She highlights the launch of new cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean's "Star of the Seas," which offers extensive amenities, making cruises more appealing to a broader audience.

Solo Travel and Safety Tips

Listener Jessica from Rutherford inquires about secluded beach destinations safe for solo female travelers. Sally recommends traveling during the shoulder season— the period between peak and off-peak seasons— to enjoy good weather with fewer crowds and better deals.

Sally French (10:39):
"Shoulder season you get the benefit of still good weather. You also get a lot of these businesses that might be open for the summer and close up for the winter, but they're still open during that shoulder season."

She advises utilizing tools like Google Flights’ "Explore" feature to find affordable flight options tailored to specific travel dates.

Financing Your Trip

A significant portion of the episode addresses financing travel. Sally explains the advantages of using credit cards for travel expenses, such as earning rewards and accessing benefits like TSA PreCheck and lounge access. However, she warns against accumulating debt by not paying off credit card balances promptly, which can negate the benefits through high-interest rates.

Sally French (13:37):
"Using a credit card is not necessarily a bad thing to pay for your trip. In fact, it can be a good thing. You look at credit card rewards and many of these people who are flying first class and you wonder, how does this person afford first class?"

She emphasizes the importance of having a repayment plan or utilizing low-interest offers to manage travel-related credit card expenses effectively.

Booking Strategies

Alison and Sally debunk common myths surrounding the best times to book flights. Contrary to popular belief, the day of the week you book doesn't significantly impact prices. Instead, booking flights one to three months in advance for domestic travel and two to eight months for international travel is crucial for securing the best rates.

Sally French (15:18):
"It's not so much about the time of the week that we book our flights, but it's how early in advance of the trip we book the flight."

Additionally, Sally advises targeting specific flight days—Tuesday and Wednesday are typically cheaper, while Friday and Sunday tend to be more expensive due to higher demand.

Sally French (16:12):
"Typically what Nerdwallet finds is that Tuesday, Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly. Saturday is also a cheap day to fly. The most expensive days to fly are Friday and Sunday."

Handling Last-Minute Bookings and Price Spikes

When discussing last-minute travel, Sally explains that flight prices often increase as the departure date approaches due to limited availability. She notes that airlines capitalize on urgent travel needs by raising prices, a trend not as prevalent with hotels, which offer more flexibility and options.

Sally French (18:22):
"With airlines, they see that if someone's going to book a flight last minute, it's because they have to get on that flight. So airlines can take advantage of that and charge more."

She advises against booking flights too far in advance as airlines may initially inflate prices, only to decrease them as actual demand becomes clearer.

Handling Flight Cancellations

Sally provides practical advice for dealing with flight cancellations, emphasizing the importance of having a backup plan and remaining flexible. She suggests knowing alternative airports and being patient during disruptions to navigate cancellations smoothly.

Sally French (25:03):
"If you are traveling on a canceled flight, make sure you have a backup plan. Do you know what other airports are around?"

She also recommends allocating extra time before important events to accommodate potential delays or rescheduling.

Predictions for Fall Travel

Looking ahead, Sally predicts a continued rise in luxury travel despite overall cost-saving trends. High-end hotels and services are experiencing increased demand, possibly driven by social media influences and the desire for premium experiences.

Sally French (08:11):
"We are seeing the rise in luxury travel. Believe it or not, as we have people who are saying we're not traveling this summer because we want to save money. There is still really, really high demand for these luxury hotels."

She also anticipates that destinations like Hawaii will see a resurgence in tourism, balancing earlier lows.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Sally French summarizing key strategies for saving money on fall travel:

1. Plan Early: Book flights and accommodations well in advance within the recommended time frames.
2. Be Flexible: Adjust travel dates and destinations to take advantage of cheaper flight days and shoulder seasons.
3. Utilize Tools: Leverage platforms like Google Flights for exploring and tracking flight deals.
4. Smart Financing: Use credit cards wisely to gain rewards without incurring debt.
5. Backup Plans: Always have alternatives ready in case of cancellations or unexpected changes.

Alison Stewart thanks Sally for her valuable insights, encouraging listeners to apply these tips for a cost-effective and enjoyable fall travel experience.

Sally French (26:04):
"Thank you. Happy travels."

This episode of All Of It provides comprehensive guidance for travelers aiming to optimize their fall trips financially while enjoying rich and diverse cultural experiences. Whether planning a solo getaway, a family reunion, or a luxury escape, the insights shared by Sally French offer actionable steps to navigate the complexities of travel budgeting and booking.