$2,000 in Travel Card Annual Fees? Learn How to Audit Your Wallet

Paying nearly $2,000 a year for travel credit cards? Learn how to audit your own wallet from an in-studio review of the premium cards of NerdWallet’s Smart Money host Elizabeth Ayoola. Before the audit, Smart Travel hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down Black Friday travel deals, Thanksgiving travel trends, and Emirates’ new Starlink Wi-Fi rollout. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Thanksgiving travel: record weekend, flying vs. driving 2:50 Black Friday & Travel Tuesday travel deals 3:50 Emirates news: partnerships, planes, premium economy, + Starlink Wi-Fi 7:52 Credit card consult kickoff: meet Elizabeth 10:05 Chase Sapphire Reserve perks 14:44 Amex Platinum perks 20:08 American Airlines perks 22:45 Amex Blue Cash Preferred perks 25:31 United card, TJ Maxx card and effect on credit age 26:32 Managing “bougie coupon book” credits and mental load 28:33 Hot Takeoffs: Elizabeth’s “do not disturb” button for airplanes 107 Travel Deals for Black Friday and Travel Tuesday in 2025: https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/2025-travel-deals-black-friday-travel-tuesday Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review: The Ultimate Family Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-blue-cash-preferred American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card Review: Worth the Fee for Airline Loyalists https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-aadvantage-platinum Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-aadvantage-executive AmEx Blue Cash Everyday Review: Solid Cash Back, $0 Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-blue-cash-everyday 5 Things to Know About the T.J. Maxx Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/tjx-rewards-platinum-mastercard Subscribe to NerdWallet - https://bit.ly/3wGvVf3 Top Resources ⬇️ 📱 NerdWallet App – Track your net worth: https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/nerdwallet-app-track-your-wealth-and-build-your-future?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=cm_organic_100125_yt_desc_vid_edu_nw-app-desc 🤝 Advisor Match – Find your perfect fit: https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/advisor-match-financial?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=cm_organic_100125_yt_desc_vid_edu_advisors-match-desc 💳 Best Credit Cards – Compare top picks: https://www.nerdwallet.com/the-best-credit-cards?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=cm_organic_100125_yt_desc_vid_edu_best-credit-cards-desc 📄 Personal Loans – Explore loan options: https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=cm_organic_100125_yt_desc_vid_edu_personal-loans-desc 🏦 Best HYSA – Grow your savings: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/high-yield-online-savings-accounts?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=cm_organic_100125_yt_desc_vid_edu_best-hysa-desc About NerdWallet: We’re NerdWallet. And we’re not your typical finance company. We believe that everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. We’ve built a team of Nerds with the knowledge, passion, and skills to make that happen. Thanks to our Nerdy experts, see side-by-side comparisons and objective reviews of the best credit cards, bank accounts, and so much more — so you can get even more financial clarity. It’s the smartest decision for all your financial decisions. Disclaimer: This video is for informational and educational purposes only. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Any comments posted under NerdWallet's official account videos are not reviewed or endorsed by NerdWallet or representatives of financial institutions affiliated with the reviewed products unless explicitly stated otherwise. Avoid disclosing personal or sensitive information such as bank accounts or phone numbers. NerdWallet employees do not offer personalized financial advice and will not respond to posts here. ***Some credit cards mentioned in this video may be NerdWallet partners, but that does not influence our opinions. The benefits, terms and fees mentioned were accurate at the time of posting, but things can change. Some offers may have expired by the time you’re watching. For the latest details, follow the links in the video description. Connect with NerdWallet: Follow NerdWallet on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nerdwallet Follow NerdWallet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/nerdwallet Follow NerdWallet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NerdWallet Follow NerdWallet on Facebook: https://facebook.com/NerdWallet NerdWallet Website: https://nerdwallet.com