Sally French is co-host of the Smart Travel podcast and a writer on NerdWallet's travel team. Before joining NerdWallet as a travel rewards expert in 2020, she wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.
Outside of work, she loves fitness, and she competes in both powerlifting and weightlifting (she can deadlift more than triple bodyweight). Naturally, her travels always involve a fitness component, including a week of cycling up the coastline of Vietnam and a camping trip to the Arctic Circle, where she biked over the sea ice. Other adventures have included hiking 25 miles in one day through Italy's Cinque Terre and climbing the 1,260 steps to Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, Thailand.
She lives in San Francisco.
- Education: B.J. in photojournalism from University of Missouri, B.A. in German from University of Missouri
- Previous experience: The New York Times, MarketWatch, The Orange County Register
Featured video
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10 of My Best Tips For Saving Money on Travel
Looking to save money on travel as prices rise? Or go to Europe for $700? It's possible, and these 10 tips can help make it happen.
Sally's picks
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Quotes and interviews
- The Washington Post. A ‘ruthless’ guide to flying without bag fees.
- The New York Times. Traveling Ultralight: How to Pack a Personal Item.
- New York Post. 5 surprising spring break destinations you can afford — plus the best times to travel between now and Memorial Day.
- USA Today. 'Be flexible': How to take a cruise vacation without blowing your budget.
- CNBC. What to expect from travel prices in 2025 — and which destinations have the best vacation bargains.
