Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
Episode: Summer Travel Deals: Where Prices Are Dropping and How to Book Luxury for Less
Hosts: Sally French & Meagan Coyle
Release Date: June 25, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, Sally French and Meagan Coyle delve into the latest summer travel trends, offering listeners insider tips on snagging the best deals and maximizing their travel budgets. From evolving credit card benefits to exclusive cruise loyalty programs, the hosts provide a comprehensive guide to navigating the bustling summer travel season.

Summer Travel Trends: A Full Throttle Season

Kicking off the episode, Sally and Meagan observe that summer travel is in full swing. Sally recounts her experience at a Chicago conference, noting the "crowds everywhere from the Shedd Aquarium to the TSA PreCheck line at O' Hare" (00:20). This surge is further evidenced by data indicating that the Friday before Memorial Day marked one of only three days in history with over 3 million travelers passing through U.S. airports.

Meagan anticipates continued high volume, especially around the Fourth of July, but reassures listeners that there are still valuable deals to be found for those who act swiftly.

Credit Card Perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Updates

The hosts revisit recent changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, highlighting its new signup bonus: "a hundred thousand bonus points plus a $500 credit for Chase travel purchases after spending $5,000 in the first three months" (02:15). They caution listeners to assess whether the card's benefits and annual fee align with their long-term travel needs.

A significant update is announced: Chase now allows cardholders to hold both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This change opens avenues for maximizing rewards, albeit at the cost of "almost $900 in annual fees" (03:14).

The conversation shifts to American Express, with Meagan sharing concerns about the impending "biggest ever refresh" to the Amex Platinum cards, hinting at potential annual fee increases (03:49). Both hosts express apprehension, indicating plans for a dedicated episode once more details emerge.

Disney's Halloween Extravaganzas

Transitioning to leisure activities, Sally introduces Disney's upcoming Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure, set to go on sale on June 26th (04:38). Drawing from her personal experience with Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Orlando, Sally emphasizes the value of these exclusive events, especially considering the hefty ticket prices—ranging from "$100 to over $200 on Halloween night" (05:03).

She shares a personal anecdote about accumulating "eight pounds of candy" during past events, showcasing her knack for turning experiences into perks (05:25).

Delta's New Sky Clubs: A Luxe Airport Experience

Meagan recounts her visit to the newly opened Delta Sky Club and Delta One Lounge in Seattle, highlighting the expansive 24,000-square-foot facility and its stunning outdoor terrace with views of Mount Rainier (06:27). Sally praises the trend of incorporating outdoor spaces into airport lounges, contrasting it with more traditional, confined setups like the Centurion Lounge.

Listeners are encouraged to explore credit cards that offer access to these lounges, with a curated list available in the episode description (07:19).

Carnival Cruise Line's Loyalty Program Overhaul

Sally and Meagan discuss Carnival Cruise Line's transition from the Very Important Fun Person program to Carnival Rewards in 2026. They critique the shift from rewarding nights sailed to overall spending, noting a "big devaluation for the maximizers who cruise often but on the low-cost sailings" (08:05).

Meagan elaborates on listener frustrations, especially regarding diminished perks for frequent short-duration cruisers, while Sally points out that current members will retain their status through the transition (09:26).

Travel Spending Insights with Mary Drosch (Bank of America)

Inviting Mary Drosch, Head of Product for Consumer Business and Wealth Management at Bank of America, the hosts explore recent travel spending data. Mary reveals that while overall travel spending has softened by 3% year-over-year, cruising is up by 7%, and hotel rates have seen a minor decline of around 2% (10:52).

She attributes the dip in travel expenditure to increased costs in necessities like insurance and rent, pushing consumers towards more affordable travel options such as domestic road trips and cruises. Mary highlights the growing popularity of "destination dupes"—lesser-known locales that offer similar experiences at a fraction of the cost (17:14).

Notably, higher-income earners continue to favor international and premium destinations, with Asia, particularly Japan, seeing a 9% growth in travel spending (15:53).

Hotel Pricing Trends and Strategies with Christy Hudson (Hotels.com)

Christy Hudson, Head of Global PR for Hotels.com, joins the discussion to present the 2025 Hotel Price Index. She advises travelers to "book early, especially with hotels," emphasizing that availability and pricing can vary significantly based on the destination (21:42).

Key takeaways include:

• U.S. Cities with Dropping Hotel Rates: San Francisco (-9%), Austin (-7%), Atlanta, Nashville, Portland, and Anaheim have seen notable price reductions (23:36).

• International Hotel Value: Five-star hotels abroad, particularly in cities like Bangkok, Hanoi, and Prague, are approximately 32% cheaper than their U.S. counterparts (24:25).

• Optimal Star Ratings for Value: Four-star hotels offer the best balance of comfort and cost, with upgrading from three to four stars costing about 38% more, compared to a 118% increase from four to five stars (26:03).

Christy also touches on the variability of star ratings globally, advising travelers to supplement star ratings with guest reviews and photos for a more accurate assessment (26:10).

Additionally, she shares insights on poolside cocktail prices, identifying Los Angeles as the most expensive city with an average cocktail cost of $21.20, while Nashville and New Orleans offer the most affordable options at $15 (27:48).

Hot Takeoffs: Capital One Venture X Guest Policy Changes

In their favorite segment, Hot Takeoffs, Sally and Meagan express their frustration with Capital One Venture X's recent change limiting guest access to lounges. Meagan criticizes the removal of guest privileges, stating, "this is a perk that does not work for me at all" (34:01). Sally counters by emphasizing that lounges are intended for cardholders, not extended to multiple guests.

The segment highlights the tension between elite card benefits and user satisfaction, ending on a humorous note about resorting to airport fast food in the absence of lounge access (34:29).

Conclusion

Sally and Meagan wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay informed and proactive in their travel planning. They emphasize the importance of leveraging loyalty programs, booking strategically, and staying flexible to maximize travel experiences without breaking the bank. Listeners are urged to share their own travel tips and feedback, fostering a community of informed and savvy travelers.

Notable Quotes:

• Sally French (00:31): "Summer travel is in full force."

• Meagan Coyle (02:15): "A hundred thousand bonus points plus a $500 credit for Chase travel purchases after spending $5,000 in the first three months."

• Sally French (17:14): "Destination dupes are a way of going to a place that is less crowded, less known, and therefore less expensive to still get the same sort of experience."

• Christy Hudson (26:10): "There is no universal star rating system."

• Meagan Coyle (34:08): "This is a perk that does not work for me at all."

This comprehensive overview ensures that even those who haven't listened to the episode can grasp the essential insights and actionable tips shared by Sally and Meagan. From financial strategies to experiential travel hacks, this episode equips listeners with the knowledge to make the most of their summer getaways.