Sally and her new husband unpack their unconventional honeymoon plan and share practical tips to plan your own getaway with purpose.

How do you plan a honeymoon that feels luxurious without blowing your budget? How can newlyweds use points and miles to pay for their trip? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle share how Sally’s own wedding guests chose her honeymoon destination — and the travel and financial lessons that came from it. But first, Smart Travel producer Tess Vigeland joins Sally to recap this week’s biggest travel headlines, including flight delays caused by the government shutdown, where you can find Southwest’s first-ever airport lounge, United’s new debit rewards card, updates to rewards programs like Rove Miles and Choice Privileges, and United’s new partnership with Lyft.

Then, Sally and Meghan welcome Hamilton, Sally’s husband, to talk about what it’s really like to plan (and budget for) a honeymoon when you’re both avid travelers. They reveal how wedding guests voted on their destination, discuss how to use credit card sign-up bonuses to fund long-haul flights, and share takeaways on earning travel rewards as a couple, splurging smartly, and packing minimally. They cover topics from avoiding flight cancellations to making the most of hotel loyalty status, choosing between high-yield savings and mileage accounts, and how to enjoy a stress-free, meaningful honeymoon that doesn’t break the bank.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

United Launches Rewards-Earning Debit Card http://nerdwallet.com/travel/news/united-debit-card 

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: honeymoon budgeting, travel rewards, honeymoon destinations, Madagascar travel, planning a honeymoon, best honeymoon spots, travel credit cards, honeymoon points strategy, credit card signup bonus, travel miles, government shutdown flight delays, Southwest lounge Honolulu, United MileagePlus Debit Rewards Card, Chase travel rewards, Capital One miles, high yield savings account vs miles, Choice Privileges Titanium, hotel loyalty programs, travel debit cards, travel credit card referrals, booking flights with points, Rove Miles and More, Lufthansa Miles and More, international honeymoon, couples travel tips, TSA delays, travel insurance, honeymoon planning timeline, luxury hotel perks, Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection, Capital One Premier Collection, elite status benefits, booking honeymoon flights, travel apps for flight alerts, honeymoon travel planning, and airport lounge benefits.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices