Podcast Summary: Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways Episode: How to Plan an Itinerary That Saves Money, Avoids Crowds, and Unlocks Hidden Gems
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Hosts: Sally French & Meghan Coyle (with guest Tess Vigeland)

Introduction and Travel News

The episode kicks off with Sally French and guest Tess Vigeland discussing their recent travel experiences and the onset of the summer travel season. They touch upon the increased flight numbers expected by the Federal Aviation Administration, signaling a bustling summer for travelers.

• Recent Travels: Tess shares her solo trip to Bend, Central Oregon, highlighting the joy of solo travel. Sally recounts her exhaustive yet exhilarating visit to Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando, emphasizing both the park's thrilling attractions and its hefty price tag.

  Sally French [02:25]: "I did every ride. Some I was lucky enough to do multiple times."

• Theme Park Costs: The hosts reference a NerdWallet survey revealing that 44% of Americans planning a theme park trip spend over $1,400, covering tickets, transportation, lodging, food, and souvenirs. They contrast this with the median spend of $500, noting that theme parks rarely qualify as budget travel options.

• Hyatt in Croatia: Shifting focus to Europe, Sally discusses the opening of Hyatt Regency Zadar in Croatia, part of Hyatt’s broader expansion in the Balkans. This move is highlighted as a lucrative opportunity for those leveraging World of Hyatt points.

• Points and Miles Update: The conversation moves to the financial aspects of travel rewards. Sally announces that American Express will no longer allow Membership Rewards points to be transferred to Hawaiian Airlines after June 30th, affecting a popular workaround for Alaska Mileage Plan miles.

  Tess Vigeland [05:35]: "So once that closes, the only major transferable point currency that partners directly with Alaska will be Built Rewards, right?"

• Bilt Points Adjustment: Tess shares disappointing news about Bilt's revised points structure for rent payments using third-party credit cards, effectively halving the earning rate from one point per dollar to one point per two dollars.

  Sally French [06:35]: "It was double the price."

Planning a Smart Itinerary

Transitioning to the main segment, Sally and Meghan delve into strategies for crafting travel itineraries that are both budget-friendly and enriching.

1. Advance Planning for Big Attractions:

   • Booking Ahead: Sally advises booking tickets for major attractions in advance to secure better pricing and availability, citing dynamic pricing trends that can spike last-minute costs.

     Sally French [09:49]: "If you can book in advance online, you lock in that price, which can often be less."

   • Combo Passes: Meghan introduces the concept of combo passes, which bundle multiple attractions, offering cost savings and flexibility.

2. Leveraging Free Admission and Discounts:

   • Free Days: They discuss utilizing free admission days for museums and attractions, such as the Louvre’s first Friday of each month after 6 PM.

     Sally French [12:10]: "Just Google the name of the city you're going to and then tourism board."

   • Targeted Discounts: Highlighting discounts for students, seniors, teachers, and military personnel, the hosts emphasize researching eligibility to maximize savings.

3. Local Insights and Hidden Gems:

   • Tourism Websites and Local Media: Sally and Meghan recommend consulting local tourism websites and social media channels to uncover free or low-cost events and festivals.

     Megan Coyle [13:55]: "There are local festivals that are free, there are activations for brands."

   • Hotel Concierge Tips: Drawing from Nomadic Matt’s advice, they suggest asking hotel concierges for genuine local recommendations instead of generic advice.

     Sally French [18:55]: "Ask the hotel concierge, not where should I go to eat, but where would you go to eat?"

4. Utilizing Technology:

   • ChatGPT for Itinerary Planning: The hosts discuss the pros and cons of using AI like ChatGPT for itinerary planning, recommending specificity in queries to obtain tailored recommendations.

     Sally French [19:37]: "If you are using ChatGPT, be really specific. Say I am staying in Chinatown. I want recommendations that are in walking distance of Chinatown."

5. Affordable Activities:

   • Walking Tours and Urban Hiking: Emphasizing the value of walking tours—especially free ones in European cities—and self-guided urban hikes to explore destinations authentically and economically.

     Megan Coyle [21:24]: "I love a walking tour. Have you ever done one of those?"

   • Cruise Savings: They advise against costly shore excursions, suggesting walking or using public transportation to explore port cities independently.

6. Smart Accommodation Choices:

   • Weighing Resort Fees vs. Amenities: Sally discusses assessing whether slightly pricier hotels with inclusive amenities (like free kayak rentals) offer better overall value compared to cheaper options without such perks.

     Sally French [24:35]: "Do the math in advance and say, is this more expensive room worth it?"

7. Dining Strategies:

   • Avoiding Tourist Traps: Both hosts advocate for dining away from major tourist spots to find more authentic and affordable meals, using tools like Google Maps to pre-vet restaurant options.

     Megan Coyle [24:44]: "Google Maps is your friend."

Listener Q&A: Maximizing Travel Credit Card Rewards

A listener named Cody inquires about optimizing travel rewards without incurring high annual fees. Sally and Meghan provide the following advice:

• Combining Cards: They suggest complementing an existing Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a no-annual-fee cashback card like Chase Freedom Unlimited, which offers smaller sign-up bonuses and flexible points earning.

  Megan Coyle [26:36]: "One option is the Chase Freedom Unlimited. It has a zero dollar annual fee and it actually does come with a small sign up bonus."

• Evaluating Annual Fee Cards: While acknowledging that no-annual-fee cards rarely offer substantial sign-up bonuses, they note that annual fee cards can provide enhanced benefits and rewards, potentially justifying the cost for frequent travelers.

  Sally French [27:08]: "We definitely don't recommend annual fee cards for everyone, but if you are looking for those high level travel rewards, often it's worth it."

Conclusion

Sally and Meghan wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to implement the discussed strategies to enhance their travel experiences while maintaining budget efficiency. They invite feedback on podcast platforms and acknowledge their production team, emphasizing that their advice is for educational and entertainment purposes.

Megan Coyle [28:17]: "This week and every week, we hope you're inspired to keep your passport full and your wallet even fuller."

Key Takeaways:

• Plan Major Attractions in Advance: Secure better prices and availability by booking tickets online ahead of time.
• Explore Combo Passes and Free Admission Days: These can offer significant savings for entry to multiple attractions.
• Seek Local Recommendations: Utilize hotel concierges, local publications, and social media for authentic experiences.
• Use Technology Wisely: Tools like ChatGPT can aid in planning but require specific queries for best results.
• Prioritize Authentic Dining: Avoid tourist-heavy areas to find more affordable and genuine culinary options.
• Optimize Credit Card Rewards: Balance the use of no-annual-fee and annual fee cards to maximize travel rewards without overspending.

By integrating these strategies, travelers can craft memorable and financially sensible itineraries that go beyond the typical tourist experience.