{"podcast":{"title":"Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways","slug":"smart-travel-upgrade-your-getaways-7201309","podcast_index_feed_id":7201309,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NRD5604144476","website_url":"https://nerdwallet.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/38498f54-e32a-11ef-b372-27d8dfecb90e/image/283bb3cbb85eb4986074e0c9080616f8.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"NerdWallet","episode_count":78,"summary":"Planning your next vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel. NerdWallet’s trusted travel experts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, are here to help your travel dollars work even harder. But the travel Nerds don’t just make recommendations; they break down the latest travel details, exploring the pros and cons of specific strategies, practical tools, and tactics. Dive deep with the experts as they lay out all the options so you can finally plan that dream vacation. So put your seat in its full upright position, buckle up, and let’s help that travel budget take you places you’ve only dreamed about. Join hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle, two of NerdWallet’s expert travel Nerds, as they lay out tips, tools, and strategies for your next travel getaway, including: Travel budgeting: What’s the best way to budget for a vacation? How can you save money planning travel? The Nerds compare the best travel budgeting tools. Travel Strategies: Should you use travel points or travel miles? Should you Airbnb or get a hotel? The Nerds have your how-to travel guide for your next trip. Family vacation planning: Thinking of a Disney trip or s…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-22T16:20:55.756406+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/smart-travel-upgrade-your-getaways-7201309"},"episode":{"title":"2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily","slug":"2026-elite-status-changes-and-ways-to-earn-status-and-nights-more-easily","published_at":"2026-02-11T08:10:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/smart-travel-upgrade-your-getaways-7201309/2026-elite-status-changes-and-ways-to-earn-status-and-nights-more-easily","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/smart-travel-upgrade-your-getaways-7201309","url":"https://pdst.fm/e/pfx.vpixl.com/gr1o7/tracking.swap.fm/track/YfZO4tERxneauNcW9Fgn/mgln.ai/e/211/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ARML9431215894.mp3?updated=1770763343","audio_url":"https://pdst.fm/e/pfx.vpixl.com/gr1o7/tracking.swap.fm/track/YfZO4tERxneauNcW9Fgn/mgln.ai/e/211/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ARML9431215894.mp3?updated=1770763343","summary":"Learn what 2026 status program changes mean for perks like upgrades, rebooking help, and lounges. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk through the latest elite status updates to help you decide when they’re worth chasing. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the U.K.’s electronic travel authorization (ETA) enforcement starting Feb. 25, 2026, a Hawaiian Airlines credit card giveaway offering chances to win 1 million points, Disney’s leadership change and new earnings highlights, and signs that luxury travel demand may be softening in 2026. Then, joined by fellow travel Nerd Benjamin Din, they discuss what’s changing for airline and hotel elite status in 2026, including how status is increasingly tied to spending and credit cards, when a status match challenge can be a shortcut, and how to choose a program based on your home airport and travel patterns. They also dig into updates across major programs including Southwest, American, United, and JetBlue, in addition to hotel shifts at Hilton, Hyatt, and Choice. Plus: what it really takes to earn United’s Million Miler milestone, including how lifetime status can change the way you book flights and hotels. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: 5 Things to Know About the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Credits Hilton Honors Aspire Review: Rich Rewards, Luxury Perks for a Price World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost United Club Infinite Review: $695 Fee May Still Lure Lounge Lovers IHG One Rewards Premier Review: Free Nights on a Silver Platter B…","meta_description":"Learn what 2026 status program changes mean for perks like upgrades, rebooking help, and lounges. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French talk through the lat…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2988,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/smart-travel-upgrade-your-getaways-7201309/episodes/2026-elite-status-changes-and-ways-to-earn-status-and-nights-more-easily/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/smart-travel-upgrade-your-getaways-7201309/2026-elite-status-changes-and-ways-to-earn-status-and-nights-more-easily.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}