Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways Episode: Making Group Travel Work: Planning Trips for Different Budgets, Ages, and Interests
Hosts: Sally French & Meghan Coyle
Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction to Multi-Generational Travel

In this episode of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, NerdWallet’s travel experts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, delve into the intricacies of planning successful multi-generational trips. They share personal experiences, industry insights, and practical tips to help listeners navigate the complexities of organizing vacations that cater to diverse age groups, interests, and budgets.

News Segment Highlights

Before diving into the main topic, Sally and Megan discuss recent travel industry updates:

• Capital One Lounge Access Changes ([01:31] - [03:20]):
  Capital One Venture X cardholders will lose complimentary guest access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass networks unless they pay a $125 yearly fee.

  • Sally French remarks, “These are so nice because it means you don't have to recheck your bag at customs” ([03:55]).

• Southwest’s New International Partnership ([03:20] - [04:30]):
  Southwest Airlines has partnered with China Airlines, allowing travelers to connect through Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Ontario, California, to various destinations in Asia.

• Starlux Airlines Expansion ([04:30] - [06:10]):
  Taiwanese-based Starlux Airlines begins operating out of Ontario Airport, offering enhanced first-class experiences and affordable booking options through Alaska Airlines’ mileage program.

• American Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ([06:14] - [07:05]):
  The new Dreamliner features the flagship Sweet seats with lie-flat options and enhanced amenities, debuting on routes to major international cities.

  • Megan Coyle notes, “That's so comfortable” ([06:22]).

• Hotels.com 2025 Hotel Price Index ([07:05] - [07:37]):
  Highlighting countries where five-star accommodations are available for under $200 per night, including Vietnam, Thailand, and New Zealand.

Planning Multi-Generational Trips

Sally French shares her experience planning a family reunion trip, termed the "Bush Bash," offering a blueprint for others embarking on similar journeys.

Understanding the Trend

• Millennial Influence:
  Millennials (late 20s to early 40s) prioritize experiences over material possessions and have the disposable income and family structures that make multi-generational trips appealing.

  • Sally French cites the Amex 2025 Global Travel Trends Report: “58% of millennials and Gen Z parents plan to bring their extended family on vacation in 2025” ([11:33]).

• Geographical Dispersion:
  Families are more spread out than in previous generations, making group trips a practical way to reunite.

Sally’s Bush Bash Trip

• Initial Planning ([10:22] - [14:49]):
  Sally initiated the trip with a family survey to gauge preferences on duration, activities, and locations.

  • Sally French shares, “We all voted on Orange County. It made sense” ([14:30]).

• Lodging Strategies ([15:02] - [17:02]):
  To accommodate different preferences and budgets, Sally allowed family members to choose their own lodging options:

  • Staying with family for cost savings.
  • Opting for hotels or Airbnbs based on individual needs (e.g., pet-friendly for some).

• Budgeting Tips ([16:33] - [17:02]):
  Individual lodging choices prevent the awkwardness of splitting costs for large group accommodations.

  • Sally French advises, “If everyone picks their own lodging, you're not messing around with this awkward situation” ([16:33]).

Activities and Entertainment

• Inclusive and Optional Activities ([17:35] - [20:49]):
  Sally organized a mix of mandatory and optional activities to cater to all ages:

  • Family Trivia Night: Engaged everyone with fun, personalized questions.
    • Sally French describes it as “100% heartwarming. Wholesome” ([00:57]).
  • Photo Scavenger Hunt: Encouraged capturing group memories while exploring local spots like Balboa Island.
  • Physical Activities: Organized a family-friendly 5k and hiking sessions, allowing flexibility for those with different energy levels.

• Meal Planning ([20:49] - [21:51]):
  To manage meal costs, the family employed a combination of sponsored dinners, potluck brunches, and flexible dining options:

  • Sally French explains, “We had our grandpa sponsored sort of one big restaurant meal” ([20:59]).

Alternative Travel Options

The hosts explore various travel formats that simplify multi-generational planning:

• Cruises ([22:10] - [24:14]):
  Megan shares her experience on a Royal Caribbean cruise, highlighting the ease of budgeting and the ability to partake in shared and separate activities.

  • Megan Coyle notes, “We actually had a lot of time to explore ourselves” ([22:34]).

• All-Inclusive Resorts ([24:14] - [24:39]):
  These resorts offer pre-booked amenities and activities, reducing the need for extensive planning. Increasingly available for booking with points, making them accessible for varied budgets.

• Vacation Homes and Timeshares ([24:39] - [27:19]):

  • Vacation Homes: Provide communal spaces and kitchens, fostering family bonding and cost savings on meals.
  • Timeshares: Similar to vacation homes but often affiliated with major hotel brands, offering additional amenities without long-term commitments.
    • Sally French mentions, “We have seen many timeshares affiliated with Points and Miles properties” ([26:10]).

• Hotel-Vacation Home Hybrids:
  Sally discusses Evermore, a resort near Walt Disney World that combines the comforts of vacation homes with hotel-style consistency and amenities.

Top Tips for Planning Multi-Generational Trips

Sally and Megan distill their experiences into four actionable tips:

1. Assign a Trip Leader ([27:28] - [27:48]):
   Designate someone to coordinate and delegate tasks without micromanaging.

   • Sally French suggests, “They’re more like the orchestra conductor delegate out” ([27:28]).

2. Gather Input and Build Consensus ([27:48] - [28:20]):
   Use surveys to understand preferences on dates, locations, and activities. Ensure the itinerary includes both mandatory and optional events to cater to everyone’s interests.

3. Incorporate Downtime ([28:05] - [28:20]):
   Allow flexibility in the schedule for personal activities and relaxation, acknowledging that not everyone will participate in every event.

4. Transparent Budgeting ([20:49] - [21:51]):
   Clearly communicate meal plans and shared costs. Utilize potlucks, sponsored meals, and flexible lodging to accommodate different budgets.

Listener Question: Booking Return Flights in-Region ([28:42] - [30:37])

Question from Ray:
Ray is planning to take his niece to Asia using Chase points but is undecided about booking the return flight. He's considering adding a few days in Seoul and wonders whether to book flights in Asia or in advance in the U.S.

Hosts’ Advice:

• Sally French advises booking return flights in advance from the U.S., especially for long international trips, to secure better prices and ensure seat availability ([30:05]).
• Megan Coyle concurs, emphasizing the importance of locking in prices early and avoiding the risks associated with last-minute bookings ([30:20]).

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sally and Megan wrap up the episode by reinforcing the importance of thoughtful planning, flexibility, and open communication when organizing multi-generational trips. They encourage listeners to utilize the tips discussed and explore various travel options to create memorable and stress-free family vacations.

Notable Quotes:

• Sally French: “We all voted on Orange County. It made sense” ([14:30]).
• Megan Coyle: “We actually had a lot of time to explore ourselves” ([22:34]).
• Sally French: “If everyone picks their own lodging, you're not messing around with this awkward situation” ([16:33]).

Additional Resources

For more tips on leveraging Chase Ultimate Rewards points and optimizing travel bookings, visit NerdWallet’s travel resources.

This episode was produced and edited by Nick Karismi, Claire Soci, and Hillary, with fact-checking by Georgie.