Get the ‘Cheat Codes’ for Cheaper Travel

Want to travel more, but pay less?

Credit card rewards, hotel points and airline miles can be like travel “cheat codes” to unlocking more affordable trips.

They can make it possible to fly first class to a far-flung island; visit relatives over the holidays without wiping out your bank account; create some Disney magic for your family; and help make any of your travel bucket list dreams come true.

The challenge? For many people, it’s knowing where or how to get started.

That’s why we started TravelNerd, a free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.

Each week our expert Travel Nerds will show you tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars, like:

✅ How to get started using travel points and miles (without all the overwhelming jargon).

✅ Where to find cheap flights (that you actually want to take).

✅ Tips to score hotel upgrades.

✅ How to smartly use credit cards to earn tons of rewards and perks.

✅ Lesser-known ways to make your Disney trip cheaper and easier.

✅ Ways to make your travels more affordable even without credit card rewards.

✅ What all the latest travel news means for you.

✅ Fast-moving travel deals to help save you a bundle.

Our experts will deliver all this right to your inbox, plus hot deals and limited-time offers — absolutely free.

A former Cast Member at Disneyland (that’s Disney-speak for employee), Sally is our resident Disney expert.

She’s also a competitive weightlifter and powerlifter, so many of her travel involves going to meets (often fueled on the famous Hampton Inn waffles).

She’s biked over the sea ice in the Arctic Circle, climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower with all her carry-on bags during a 10-hour layover in Paris, hiked 25 miles in a day around Italy’s Cinque Terre and biked the famous Hải Vân Pass in Vietnam. She hates relaxing.

Craig lives to explore and is always looking for the next adventure. He’s redeemed millions of rewards to visit over 40 countries and enjoys teaching people how they can do the same.

Craig loves figuring out creative ways to keep travel costs down so there’s more money to have fun in unique places.

From cycling across the islands of southern Japan to snowboarding through Antarctic snow blasts on volcanoes in New Zealand, he’s your man for active and sporty travel ideas.

Benjamin is a travel enthusiast who thrives on maximizing points and miles, elite status, and credit card perks to unlock unforgettable experiences — not just for himself, but for his friends and family too.

Last year, he flew over 100 flights, exploring all six inhabited continents, (Antarctica is still on the bucket list!) experiencing everything from basic economy to international first class.

You’ll often find him in a Star Alliance lounge, as he chases down his next big milestone: becoming a United Airlines million miler.

Meghan loves traveling with her family, including her mom, dad, and three younger sisters.

She has now gotten all of her family and friends into using credit cards and loyalty programs to make travel more affordable and upgrade the experience.

Meghan studied abroad in New Zealand in college, so she is always looking for beautiful, adventurous destinations with great hiking.

These days, she’s using most of her points and miles on trips to destination weddings in Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Scotland, Italy, and Australia.

Claire is a veteran credit cards and travel Nerd.

She loves traveling with her husband and two kids. Her personal goal is to take four family trips every year.

She uses points, miles and other credit card benefits to keep costs down.

Upcoming adventures include a visit to Legoland, a weekend in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, a road trip to Montana and a week in Boston.

Erin Hurd is a former writer and editor now heading NerdWallet’s travel business.

Her love of travel and frugal nature led to a passion for credit card and loyalty rewards to subsidize trips.

Erin is always planning her next adventure for her family of four using points and miles — sometimes flying in premium cabins, often staying in posh suites, always spending a small fraction of the retail price.

Her young kids are the luckiest beneficiaries of her travel obsession and have visited 20 countries (and counting) before they turn 10.