In this special video episode, see if $2,000 in credit card fees is worth it and learn how you can audit your own travel rewards wallet.

Should you really be paying nearly $2,000 a year in credit card annual fees, or is it time to downsize your wallet? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle sit down with NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast host Elizabeth Ayoola to dissect her stack of premium travel cards and decide which ones earn their keep. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Black Friday bargains, why flight bookings may be down even as overall Thanksgiving trips rise, and what Emirates’ massive retrofit and Starlink Wi-Fi rollout could mean for your next long-haul flight. 

Then, Sally and Meghan sit down in-studio for a full-on credit card consultation with Elizabeth, a travel-loving single mom in Houston who juggles multiple premium cards. Together, they walk through the benefits of several of her credit cards to see which perks actually justify the fees. They talk through how to value statement credits versus real spending, when downgrading makes more sense than canceling, how to think about lounge access in dollar terms, when co-branded airline cards are redundant, and how to avoid the “bougie coupon book” burnout that can come with managing too many credits. Plus, Elizabeth shares her hot takes on first class, loud seat neighbors, and why airplanes need a built-in “do not disturb” button.

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 

Resources discussed in this episode:

107 Travel Deals for Black Friday and Travel Tuesday in 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/2025-travel-deals-black-friday-travel-tuesday 

Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.  

In this episode, the Nerds discuss: credit card annual fees, travel credit cards, premium travel credit cards, airport lounge access, Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club access, Emirates premium economy, Starlink airplane Wi-Fi, Thanksgiving travel 2025, Thanksgiving flight bookings, driving vs flying Thanksgiving, vacation rental bookings Thanksgiving, Black Friday travel deals, Travel Tuesday travel deals, Emirates A350 premium economy, Emirates A380 first class, credit card travel credits, dining statement credits, StubHub credit, hotel portal credits, grocery rewards credit card, cash back on supermarkets, airport lounge math, justifying annual fees, downgrading credit cards, closing airline credit cards, airline co-branded cards, managing multiple credit cards, tracking expiring credits, no checked bag travel, carry-on only travel, and single parent travel budgeting.

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