Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways – Episode Summary

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

Date:
November 26, 2025

Hosts:
Sally French & Megan Coyle (NerdWallet Travel Experts)
Special Guest:
Elizabeth Iola (Host, Smart Money podcast)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a candid wallet audit with special guest Elizabeth Iola, who’s juggling credit cards with a combined $2,000 in annual fees. The NerdWallet travel experts break down whether those fees are justified, how to evaluate credit card benefits, and practical strategies for optimizing travel rewards. The discussion offers insights into maximizing travel dollars, understanding airline industry changes, and leveraging elite travel perks—providing listeners with a real-world blueprint for making their own credit card choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Travel Trends and Deals [01:24 – 07:51]

• Travel volume & modes:

  • Sally notes Thanksgiving is historically the busiest travel weekend, especially the Sunday after (01:30).
  • Air travel bookings are slightly down by 3.3% this year; driving and vacation rentals (up 8%) are more popular (01:56–02:45).

• Booking tips & deals:

  • Megan and Tess highlight their comprehensive NerdWallet Black Friday/Cyber Monday travel deals list—covering airfare, cruises, and hotels (03:16–03:52).
  • Emphasis on using new credit cards for large purchases to hit sign-up bonuses (03:55).

2. Major Airline News: Emirates Upgrades [04:05 – 07:51]

• Partnerships and expansions:

  • Emirates & Air Canada extend their codeshare through 2032, offering smoother international flight connections (04:38).
  • New aircraft orders: Emirates adds 8 more Airbus A350s, growing their long-haul fleet (05:14).
  • Premium Economy review:
    • Sally describes Emirates’ premium economy: “they recline so much that I was like, I feel like I’m in my lazy boy in the living room” (05:28).

• Inflight experience:

  • Emirates upgrades include free, fast Starlink WiFi and new seats for every A380 and 777 by 2027—the largest Starlink-enabled fleet worldwide (06:41–07:25).
  • Starlink enables streaming, video chats, and even online gaming mid-flight.

3. Credit Card Wallet Audit: Is $2,000 in Annual Fees Worth It? [09:01 – 28:48]

Elizabeth’s Situation & Card Inventory [09:11 – 10:33]

• Single mom, based in Houston, loves dining out, groceries, travel, shopping.
• No outstanding debt except a car loan.
• Card lineup:
  • Amex Blue Cash Preferred
  • Amex Platinum
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Citi AA Advantage (with lounge access upgrade)
  • TJ Maxx Card (no annual fee)

The Audit Begins

The hosts systematically examine each card, weighing the annual fees against real, used benefits:

A. Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/year) [12:34 – 15:48]

• Annual $300 travel credit — “I travel pretty often, so I could use that.” – Elizabeth (12:58)
• Lounge access:
  • Elizabeth: “I’m a lounge girly. I love a lounge.” (13:02)
• Dining credit $152/year, easy to use for fancy restaurants [13:47]
• StubHub, Apple TV, Peloton credits: Not utilized, but open to exploring.
• Points balance: 83,000 Chase points unused.
• Hosts' assessment:
  • Annual statement credits used + lounge access generally outweigh the fee.

“You have at least justified this annual fee with those.” – Tess Viglin [15:28]

B. Amex Platinum ($895/year) [15:50 – 18:56]

• Hotel & airline credits: Not used; Elizabeth seldom stays in hotels and no longer checks bags (“I have learned to pack efficiently… I will cry if you check in my bag.” – Elizabeth, 16:41)
• Uber/Uber Eats ($200 annual): “I’m an Uber Eats girly.” – Elizabeth (17:14)
• Dining (Resy) credit: Interested in using after reviewing eligible restaurants.
• Digital entertainment & Saks Fifth credits: Not maximized (prefers thrifting).
• Lululemon credit ($300/year): Will use—“I buy workout clothes to motivate me to work out.” (18:29)
• Lounge access: Central to card's value—regular Centurion Lounge user.

Hosts’ Value Summary:

• Uber Eats, Resy, and Lululemon credits alone cover most of the annual fee.

C. Card Value Evaluation — The Lounge Math [18:56 – 21:08]

• Lounge “value” calculations: Hosts suggest factoring cost of airport food/drinks (~$25-50/visit) times lounge visits. Elizabeth averages 10 visits/year.
• Elizabeth’s justification:
  • “Can I justify, hey, if I would have not had that lounge access and bought, I don’t know, 10 meals… You know, does that count?” (19:34)
• Hidden value: Additional lounge access via Amex to Delta Sky Clubs when booked properly.

D. Citi AA Advantage Card (w/ Lounge tier) [21:18 – 23:39]

• Annual Fee: ~$500 (with lounge access)
• Benefit misalignment:
  • Elizabeth doesn’t check bags and now lives in Houston (United hub), but prefers American out of loyalty.
  • Chose it primarily for lounge access, which is now eclipsed by better Centurion lounges.
• Recommendation:
  • “I think we'd recommend probably considering getting rid of that card.” – Claire Socie [22:23]
• Transferring points: Miles already in AA account are safe if card is closed.

E. Amex Blue Cash Preferred ($95/year) [23:39 – 25:59]

• Grocery spending: Now maximized for 6% cashback at US supermarkets (Kroger, H-E-B) after retention offer education.
• Spends ~$500/month (so annual cashback well over $95 fee).
• Comparison: Swapping to Blue Cash Everyday would net less cashback.

F. TJ Maxx Card

• No annual fee. Laura keeps it open for average credit age.

G. Summary of Recommendation [27:14 – 28:48]

• Drop the Citi AA Advantage (high fee, little real value).
• Consider replacing it with the more affordable United card (better fit for Houston, free checked bags, lounge passes).
• Keep maximizing current card benefits, but monitor for burnout in managing multiple “bougie coupon book credits.”

“You do have to just calculate the anxiety of managing all these benefits… Sometimes it’s stressful and… not worth paying this annual fee.” – Tess Viglin [28:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sally French, on Emirates premium economy:
  “They recline so much that I was like, I feel like I’m in my lazy boy in the living room.” [05:28]

• On lounge value justification:
  “If you’re someone who would pay for two airport cocktails… maybe you might value a lounge at $50.” – Tess Viglin [20:06]

• Elizabeth, about luggage:
  “If you check in my bag, I will cry.” [16:53]

• Managing complex credit portfolios:
  “I have a document called ‘expiring things’... Did I use my Uber credit for every month? ...It’s very stressful.” – Tess Viglin [28:04]

• Elizabeth’s “hot takeoff”:
  “First class should have a do not disturb or do not talk to me sign.” [29:49]

Important Timestamps

• Major travel trends & booking data: [01:24 – 02:49]
• Emirates news & inflight WiFi upgrades: [04:05 – 07:25]
• Elizabeth introduces her lifestyle and cards: [09:11 – 10:33]
• Annual fee shock & justification: [11:09 – 12:07]
• Chase Sapphire Reserve deep dive: [12:34 – 15:48]
• Amex Platinum audit: [15:50 – 18:56]
• Lounge access calculations: [18:56 – 21:08]
• Citi AA card critique: [21:18 – 23:39]
• Amex Blue Cash Preferred analysis: [23:39 – 25:59]
• Card closure & downgrade recommendations: [26:03 – 28:48]
• Hot takeoff segment – do not disturb in first class: [29:49 – 31:09]

Actionable Takeaways

• Regularly audit your credit cards— match benefits to your real-world usage.
• Be wary of “coupon book stress”: It’s not just about value, but also the hassle of tracking benefits.
• Downgrade or swap cards—especially airline cards if you’ve changed your travel habits or home airport.
• Use lounge access as a major point of value, but run the math based on your own habits, not just sticker price.
• Monitor and redeem unused points—money (and travel) left on the table help no one!

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a toolkit for travelers to maximize travel credits and points without falling victim to credit card “bloat.” Through Elizabeth Iola’s practical audit, listeners get an honest, empathetic look at striking the right balance between aspirational travel perks and real-life use. And, as always, there’s the crucial reminder: “Don’t let managing your benefits become a second job!”

For more, follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts, and catch Elizabeth Iola on NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast for more personal finance wisdom.