The Thrifty Traveler Podcast
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast covers the latest travel news and trends, focusing on earning and redeeming points and miles. Hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter discuss booking cheap flights, using airline miles, and other money-saving travel tips. The show aims to help listeners travel more for less.
Episodes
How the Pros Use Google Flights
Booking cheap travel starts and ends with Google Flights, which is why Gunnar and Kyle devoted a full episode of the podcast to how to use our favorite website - including some of the advanced features that can help you find the cheapest fares on the planet and help you book flights like a pro. The guys go over the basics before digging into next-level features like Explore, Alerts, and plenty of
Is Airfare Dropping & Where to Find Late Summer Deals
Forget what you’ve heard about flight prices: There’s still time to get a great summer flight deal … if you know where to look. That’s what Gunnar and Kyle discussed this week along with a deep dive on where things stand with airfare. Are we going to get a break from high fares soon? Plus, the guys hate Delta’s new “Basic Business” fares, they love Flighty’s latest update, and they get the latest
Top 10 Flight Deals of 2026 (So Far)
It’s the halfway point in 2026, so Gunnar ranked up the 10 best flight deals (and three best hotel deals) of the year so far … and Kyle got to air all of his gripes and grievances about Gunnar’s list. In a six-month span that will surely be remembered for high airfare, we’re celebrating the deals that just kept coming – from flights to Asia in the $300s roundtrip to a business class mistake fare,
Amazing Hawaii Redemptions, Delta Highs & Lows and Other News
Gunnar and Kyle brag about gettin’ booksy before diving into a busy week of news: The single best redemption using Southwest miles, translating an airline CEO’s infuriating airfare comments, applaud a true sicko’s way of transferring points to Hilton, and more. Plus, the guys draft their favorite new routes debuting this winter and play the World Cup … of flight deals.
Show Notes
Watch us on YouTu
Something(s) Hot: What’s Going Right in Travel
Don’t dwell on the bad stuff, the guys remind themselves … because there’s plenty to be excited about in travel right now! So this week on the pod, Gunnar and Kyle outline all the things that are going well in travel right now: flight deals, new routes and airplane seats, big improvements for airport security, bigger and better lounges, massive credit card offers, and more. Plus, the guys help a l
Live From Minneapolis! The Highs and (Disgusting) Lows of Travel
An audience of close to 300 travelers joined us at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis for an unhinged episode and the very-first (but not last) live recording of the podcast. The guys dish out some hot takes, take a look at the state of flight deals right now, and then share some stories of the highs and lows of travel, because travel isn’t always pretty … and sometimes, it’s downright disgusting.
With Record Card Bonuses, Banks are Going Crazy (in a Good Way!)
It’s official: The banks are losing their minds … with some of the best welcome bonuses we’ve ever seen, all at once. The guys start the show by debating whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s record-tying 100,000-point bonus is the GOAT before digging into a slew of other new offers that can quickly replenish your stash of points. Plus, they look into some bad news at CLEAR and wonder if the TSA
Airline Alliances: The Key to Booking Flights for Fewer Points
SkyTeam and Star Alliance might seem like boring corporate brands, but understanding airline alliances - and how to use them to your advantage - is absolutely critical for leveling up your travels. That’s why the guys devote an the hour-long to breaking down alliances: what they are, why you should care, some of the best redemptions using those alliances, and even coming up with their own alliance
Surprise: Chase Souped Up the Sapphire Preferred Card!
The single-best travel credit card - the one we recommend most, especially for beginners - somehow just got even better. Chase just unveiled some shockingly positive changes this week that merited a bonus podcast. We break down all the good news, a few bad bits, and ask the question: Why is Chase doing this?
Show Notes
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The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going LIVE: Join us Friday
Booking 5-Star Hotels in Italy, Airline Upgrade Scams & More News
Gunnar is back from Italy (and he’s completely insufferable about it …), so the guys break down his trip through Rome and beyond and how he booked some amazing stays - via Hilton.
Plus, they recap some big news around Bilt 2.0, woes getting into Europe, a handy new tool for using your credit card perks, and the monumental news … about an airport Taco Bell.
Show Notes
Thank you to our sponsor, Bilt
The Biggest Winners & Losers from Hyatt’s Massive Changes
It’s a Brave (?) New World … of Hyatt. The hotel chain (almost) everybody loves officially brought down the hammer with some sweeping and painful changes to its award program. So with Gunnar overseas - probably crying into his Italian red wine - Nick joins Kyle to delve deep into the data behind what’s changed: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And yes, there is good news here. Plus, they try to an
Roasting YOUR Worst Travel Mistakes
Gunnar and Kyle have already made fools of themselves with their most embarrassing travel mistakes. Now it’s your turn in the spotlight. After a deluge of emails, the guys share your big mishaps and goofs … plus a few more of their own, for good measure. What have we learned? Check your dates and reservations closely, don’t book a 10-hour bus ride in Cambodia, and definitely don’t eat nickels.
Wat
Cheap Flights Are Still Out There: How to Find Them
We know, we know: The flight prices have gotten rough out there, travelers … but not everywhere. So on this week’s pod, Gunnar and Kyle devote the show to spelling out the quintessential steps to take to find cheaper fares this summer, fall, and beyond. Plus, some exciting news about our (now officially award-winning!!!) show, an update on Hyatt’s dastardly deeds, and perhaps the strangest hotel-r
Dropping Airfare, Thailand & The Case Against Points & Miles
It’s the episode where we all get to be jealous of Kyle’s trip to Thailand. Luckily, he tells us how to book it and why his inkling to avoid using points and miles (for part of it) made the trip that much better. Plus, the guys make a bold prediction about airfare, wonder if the lounge overcrowding problem is solved, and ask the question: are hotel points and status even worth it anymore?
Thank yo
How to Earn a Million Points & Fly Delta One for Less
This week, we go in-depth on Delta One business class from a person who is too young to know this much about flying Delta’s premier product around the world. Thrifty Traveler’s Kyle Thomas joins the show to talk about how he earned more than a million points and miles as a college student. We break down all the best Delta One deals, how to book them, and also touch on some news about credit card o
Bilt Has Us Wondering: Is Chase Still King of Travel Rewards?
Thrifty Traveler Co-Founder Nick Serati helps us answer a pressing points and miles question: Is Chase still the most important travel rewards program? After running the numbers, he’s changed his tune about Chase and wonders if newcomer Bilt has something to do with it. Plus, we talk about a potential government-owned Spirit Airlines, some devaluations, and the White Lotus choosing Hyatt! Plus, ho
The 14 Things We Never Travel Without (& the 1 Thing We Hate)
It’s amazing how a pair of headphones, a pillow, or a carry-on bag can make or break your trip. That’s why we’re going through all of our favorite travel gear in this week’s special bonus episode. The list includes strollers, luggage, eye masks, neck pillows, earplugs, and more. Plus, we help a listener use his Capital One miles, and the guys answer: What’s the one piece of travel gear you want if
The Dirty Little Secrets of Points & Miles
Not everything is as easy as travel and points and miles influencers make it look. Have you ever wondered, “How are these people earning all of these points?” Or, “How are these people taking so many business class flights?” They’re good questions, because people in the travel world (including sometimes us) haven’t always been so forthcoming about some of the secret strategies they use to travel l
Mistake Fares, Merger Murmurs & Battling Bag Fees
We’re shining a spotlight on baggage (both travel and emotional …) this week as airlines raised bag fees almost in unison. So the guys talk through what happened, why, and - most importantly - what you can do to avoid paying those higher fees altogether. Plus, we dig into some Delta One news, break down a recent business class mistake fare, and sift through some (ridiculous) United/American merger
Our Biggest, Most Embarrassing Travel Mistakes
Travel isn’t always perfect and we certainly aren’t either. This week on the show, Gunnar and Kyle cop to the worst travel mistakes they’ve made over the year. From rehashing Gunnar’s Avianca last name fiasco to entering birthdates wrong to over-scheduling trips, getting fleeced at an expensive restaurant, and even timing bathroom breaks on the road, the guys have screwed up a lot over the years.
Bag Fees Go Up, United Throws Down & 10 More News Stories
The news has been relentless to kick off the spring, so the guys spend the show tackling a dozen different stories. There’s an update on those awful TSA lines, JetBlue already raised its baggage fees, and Air France/KLM just raised surcharges on award tickets. We also look into United’s splashy new “Relax Row” seats, discuss why American is reversing course on seatback screens, and throw out some
WTF is Happening with Flight Prices & What We’re Doing
Gunnar is back from a rain-soaked trip to Hawaii to talk about oil prices, airfare, and what’s next for flight prices - plus, an update on what’s happening at TSA checkpoints across the country as the partial government shutdown drags on. But Gunnar can’t stop talking about his vacation, so he gives a review of Hawaiian Airlines First Class, reveals his grand theory of travel, and the guys pitch a
Ask Us Anything: Biz Class to Australia, How We Earn Points & Big Pod News!
Against all odds, our baby - this humble travel podcast - is one year old! So the guys are celebrating the best way they know how: by turning the show over to you listeners for another mailbag episode. What’s the best way to book a business class seat all the way to Australia - or Hawaii? Why do airlines charge more per ticket for more passengers? How do we rack up more points? Plus, we’ve got hug
More Flights, Fewer Points: 5 Underrated Mileage Programs
Sure, you can earn and redeem SkyMiles and Rapid Rewards points to your heart’s content. We won’t stop you. But it’s the next level of points and miles programs that help you save even more and turn regular travelers into “sickos” like us. So the guys devote the show to spelling out five underrated airline mileage programs even everyday travelers can use to maximize their credit card points. Plus,
More Southwest Drama, United’s Bold Move & More Big News
This week, we round up all the recent travel news that’s fit to podcast! That includes Kyle’s experience with CLEAR’s (honestly amazing) new e-gates, what United’s up to with its credit card moves, a shocking-but-welcome move to require headphones onboard, Southwest’s carry-on bag problems literally everyone should have seen coming, hot and cold news from Avios, and much more! Plus, we help a list
The Best (& Worst) Business Classes in the World
Kyle and Gunnar are joined by Thrifty Traveler Chief Flight Deal Analyst (and Domino’s elite member) Jon Shallbetter, who helps them put the 37 combined business class seats they’ve flown into tiers so you can tell what flights are worth your points and which ones may not be. From the best of the best to the experiences that are missing something to the flights that were flat-out forgettable, the
RIP World of Hyatt? Dissecting Big, Bad Changes
We’re all too accustomed to hotels and airlines making negative changes, but Hyatt genuinely broke our hearts this week. So Gunnar and Kyle devote the show to diving into some massive changes on tap for what is (or perhaps was?) the most popular and valuable hotel points program. We’re talking nasty award rate increases, confusing pricing systems, a few silver linings, and what you should do befor
How We Find Cheap Flights: Inside Thrifty Traveler with Founder Jared Kamrowski
How do we find flight deals? How do you start a travel business? What’s next for Thrifty Traveler? For episode 50 of the show, we bring on Founder and CEO Jared Kamrowski to show how the Thrifty Traveler sausage is made! Plus, Jared reacts to some new Delta routes to Hawaii, discusses the reality of points and miles availability, and helps a listener plan their first Europe trip. Send us your “Wel
Sneaky Delta Perks, Summer Travel Slowdown & 8 Other News Stories
Kyle is back from Costa Rica where he was breaking news from the beach! So the guys get caught up on all the latest travel news including a little-known Delta credit card perk he unearthed, some new credit card offers and rumors, some good news for travelers who love cheaper fares to Europe (but bad news for airlines) this summer, and more! Plus, a listener challenges our recent take … and the guy
“These Bros Ain’t Loyal”: Why You Shouldn’t Chase Elite Status in 2026
People with status are often very loud about it (we’re looking at you Delta Medallions and Hyatt Globalists), but chasing airline and hotel loyalty isn’t smart for most travelers. It’s something we’re decidedly out on in 2026 and beyond. In “These Bros Ain’t Loyal”, we’re laying out the case against chasing status by identifying who status is for, and why it’s not the best way to travel more for l
Our 5-Step Checklist: What We Do After Booking Flights
If you want to take your travels to the next level (and who doesn’t?), it’s not about what you do before booking a flight – it’s what you do after that matters most. So Gunnar and Kyle are diving in on this week’s pod, spelling out the five crucial steps they take after booking each and every flight to ensure they get the best deal and set themselves up for success. Plus, the guys got a little “bo
Is the Points Party Ending in 2026?
A year ago, we saw signs award travel was on the upswing … but in 2026, we’re not so sure. Airlines’ constant tweaks to their mileage programs - not just for the rates they charge, but who can even book - have us posing the question: Is the points party ending? Are we on a sinking ship? Not to get too negative, but it’s time for a reality check. So Kyle and Gunnar break down the new trends shaping
What’s in Our Wallets & Our 2026 Points Planners
New year, new you, new travel card strategy? With the help of an extra special guest - TT co-founder Nick Serati - the guys answer the age-old question: What’s in our wallets? They tackle rising annual fees, Bilt’s botched rollout, and other travel credit card trends shaping the year ahead. Plus, Gunnar recaps a romantic hot air balloon ride and the guys help a listener plan a card strategy around
Cheaper Fares Abroad, Big Bilt News, a Merger & 7 Other Big News Stories
Watch us on YouTube!00:00 - About Gunnar’s controversial “Chicago-O’Hare is good” take…02:55 - Are airlines ditching higher one-way fares for international flights? 12:45 - Why Allegiant’s surprise acquisition of Sun Country matters23:15 - Bilt 2.0 is here, with good and bad news30:00 - A word from our sponsor: us! Get Thrifty Traveler Premium today33:10 - American Airlines (kinda) launches free W
Biz Class to See Santa in Finnish Lapland: Gunnar’s Trip Report
Join us for a special bonus episode as Gunnar recaps his recent trip to Finnish Laplan. Gunnar walks through his exceptional experience in Finnair Business Class, some lessons learned flying with his infant daughter overseas for the first time, and he gushes about the stunning quiet, serenity, and “cozy-maxing” of Northern Finland. Plus, he recounts an overwhelming day at Santa Claus Village and t
Let Us Cook: Our Spiciest Travel Pet Peeves & Hot Takes
It’s time to ratchet things up on the podcast this week. The guys have been too calm. This week on the pod, Gunnar and Kyle unleash their hottest travel takes and their biggest pet peeves in what turns into a fiery discussion. Why is Gunnar defending a loathed airport? What is Kyle’s case against points and miles? What’s the beef with the NFL? Plus they hate on speakerphone abusers, slow deplaners
Where You’ll Find the Best Flight Deals in 2026
Where will you find the best flight deals in 2026? Where should you (and we!) travel this year? What else will shape the year of travel ahead - maybe another government shutdown? And who the heck are “Danny & Debbie Delta?” To ring in the New Year, the guys pull out their crystal balls to talk about all things travel in 2026. Plus, a special friend introduces the show and we make a big announcemen
Our Ho-ho-holiday Mailbag, ft. Voicemails, Travel Mistakes, Canada & More
It’s the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Holiday Party, and what better way than to celebrate than with another mailbag episode?! We listen and react to voicemails from some beloved listeners and colleagues, including questions about the biggest story of the year, a bunch of incredible booking brags, the worst travel mistakes we’ve made, how our listeners (and bosses) really feel about all the Canada stu
Who Wins Our First Class & Lavatory Awards? Plus More 2025 Superlatives
The end of the year is in sight, so it’s time for Gunnar and Kyle to pretend like they’re high schoolers on the pod (honestly, not a stretch) for some 2025 superlatives, yearbook style. Who was the class clown of travel? Most popular? Cutest couple? Best hairline?! Plus, the guys unveil the winners of TT’s second-annual First Class and Lavatory Awards, recognizing the absolute best and rock-bottom
2 Ugly New Points Trends & 7 Other Big News Stories
It’s a December news roundup! On the latest Thrifty Traveler Podcast Gunnar and Kyle run through eight major news stories in travel and points and miles, including breaking down the latest Unicorn alert for Delta One flights to Brisbane, a pair of troubling trends in points and miles, a hefty fee if you don’t have Real ID, some lounge and check-in openings, and more! Thanks to HotelSlash for spons
Family Travel Tips with the Moms of Points Talk Squad
This week on the show, the guys are joined by Alex and Jess from the Points Talk Squad (formerly Travel Mom Squad) who spend the show teaching (and sometimes counseling) Gunnar how to travel with an infant! They dive into what it’s like having parents who are proficient in points and miles, how to survive delays as a family, how to earn and redeem even more points for bigger groups, and continuall
From Guatemala to China & Ranking All the Disney Parks with Kasey DellaPenna
The guys bring on co-worker and extra special guest Kasey DellaPenna - aka @kaseymeetsworld - to share her story of becoming a backpacking digital nomad and travel influencer … who splits her time between living in Guatemala, the U.S., and traveling the world. After a whirlwind trip, she recaps a visit to Hong Kong, Shanghai to cap off her official worldwide ranking of all the Disney parks. Plus,
Is Lounge Access … Underrated? (& How to Get In for Less)
Airport lounges aren’t just for the rich, the elite, and the bougie – we think they’re a crucial money-saving strategy for (nearly) all everyday travelers. Gunnar and Kyle argue that lounges are actually a thrifty way to travel, not to mention a fun way to start your trip! They talk about the best, cheapest ways to get into the lounge, some expert tips to maximize your lounge access, and run throu
What We Do When Travel Goes Wrong: How to Survive Delays & Cancellations
Almost everything went wrong in air travel over the past week and change - including for Gunnar and Kyle’s own flights - as the shutdown took a nasty turn with thousands of delays and cancellations. Shutdown or not, the guys dig into all the strategies they use to get through air travel disruptions (relatively) unscathed. Tune in for tips for booking, tracking your flights, and how to get things b
Biz Class Bonanza, New Lounges & 6 Big News Stories
It’s another news breakdown! This week on the show, we dig into eight big news stories in travel, from Southwest’s newest lounge (including our suggestions for what Southwest should offer), more new lounges in Salt Lake City, the dramatic return of Australia and New Zealand business class points deals, and some surprisingly good news from both United and Hilton. Plus, Gunnar finally finds a workar
A Trip to Bora Bora, New Zealand & Australia — (Almost) All on Points!
On this week’s podcast, Kyle recaps a whirlwind trip that included an overwater villa in Bora Bora, driving the wild landscapes of New Zealand, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, and a 10-seat mezcal bar in Sydney - booked almost entirely using points and miles … including several business class flights! The guys walk through how he did it, cover some highlights and hard lessons, too. Plus,
Mistake Fares 101: How to Snag the Cheapest Flights on Earth
It’s finally time for a mistake fare episode! Kyle and Gunnar talk about the most exciting fares in the world of flight deals, when airlines accidentally sell tickets at ridiculous discounts. The guys talk through their favorite mistake fares from over the years, how to find and book the next one, and what you need to watch for. Plus, they discuss why holiday flight deals are so much better this y
Inside The Premium Travel Boom: Airlines Are Going All In on the 1%
This week, Gunnar and Kyle (who both coincidentally wore fresh Lululemon gear on the pod, courtesy of new $75 credits) spend some extra time digging into the ongoing government shutdown and what it means for travelers heading to airports today, tomorrow, next week and beyond. But the big topic of the day is diving into the premium travel boom, as airlines install fancier seats, build new airport l
Beating the Rental Car Companies & Hotel Chains, with AutoSlash’s Jonathan Weinberg
This week, a bonafide travel hacker and self-proclaimed “bad boy of the travel industry” joins the show to discuss his two services that help millions travel more for less.Jonathan Weinberg is the founder and CEO of our beloved AutoSlash and, more recently, HotelSlash. So who better to hop on the podcast and make both Gunnar and Kyle smarter about the worlds of hotel and car rental booking? Jonath
Tools of the Trade: How We Earn, Organize & Redeem Points Smarter
Using points and miles to travel for less is what we’re all about … but even two brilliant, handsome podcasters like us (yes, that’s sarcasm) need some help to earn more of them, get organized, and redeem those awards for better travel. So this week, we open up our toolboxes and run through the tools we use to travel better - including a few tools we created for our listeners to use for free! Come
Bye Basic Economy, How Hilton Screwed Us & Other Huge Travel News
Gunnar and Kyle celebrate their recent travel bookings (a.k.a. “Getting Booksy”) before diving into an extremely busy couple days of travel news. Gunnar introduces an unhinged new “Stoke Scale” to help the guys rank a flurry of new route announcements from Italy to Hong Kong, and more. Plus, they break down stories you need to know about the Park Hyatt Tokyo, Hilton’s woes, Delta’s future in Mexic
The New Amex Platinum Card: The Good, The Bad & The Oura Ring
Watch us on YouTube!00:00 - The new Amex Platinum Card has a new look … but does it matter?02:10 - The nuts and bolts of the new (and improved?) Platinum Card from American Express – and our reaction in 5 words or less04:00 - Something Hot: The Platinum Card credits you love aren’t going anywhere06:45 - Something Cold: An eye-watering $895 annual fee11:15 - Want more travel rewards and credit card
Why Flighty is Our Favorite Travel App, with CEO Ryan Jones
This week, the guys dig deep on their favorite travel app: Flighty! Ryan Jones, the CEO of the incredibly powerful and beautifully designed flight tracking app, joins the podcast to explain how Flighty keeps travelers up-to-date using data data and what they’ll love about the new iOS features on the app. Plus, the guys compare their own delay data, pick their favorite underrated features, and disc
Mistake Fares & Award Availability: Insider Tips from Peter Thornton
This week, we interview the most interesting man in travel: Peter Thornton! As Thrifty Traveler’s Senior Award Deal Analyst, Peter is responsible for finding all the best uses for your points and miles, but his long career in travel has touched nearly every aspect of the industry. From being a flight attendant to finding mistake fares for Airfare Watchdog and now analyzing points and miles deals,
Ask Us Anything: Amex Credits, Delta Upgrades, and Personal Questions
It’s our first ever mailbag episode! Kyle’s on vacation, so we lined up a bunch of the best questions we’ve been asked and gave you our best advice. We tackle topics such as positioning flight tips, what we would pay for a Delta One upgrade, how to maximize your Amex Platinum credits with a refresh coming, destinations that exceeded our expectations, airlines as NFL quarterbacks, and the best and
All Our Best Tricks & Tools to Find the Cheapest Flight, Every Time
We’re going back to basics this week by showcasing all the strategies, tips and tricks that we use to book the cheapest flight - every single time we fly. That requires some mythbusting about the dumbest tips out there (here’s looking at you, incognito searchers and Tuesday-only bookers) and shed some light on the actual best tips (i.e. Google Flights Explore and price alerts). Never get fleeced o
Upgrade Prices, RIP Alaska Miles & More Big Travel News You Need
News, news, and more breaking travel news. There’s been so many big stories in the travel world lately, Gunnar and Kyle blew up the normal show format and spent the episode going beyond the headlines, breaking down everything you need to know. There’s more on new pricing shenanigans from airlines and Uber, the ins and outs of Alaska’s new loyalty program, a big upgrade for Google Flights, and much
A Family Trip to the 2026 Winter Olympics w/ TT’s Tracey Burtch
This week’s podcast is honestly just a selfish exercise for Gunnar, who uses his coworker’s expertise to plan a trip to the 2026 Olympics, get tips on flying with kids, and brag about how to make Thrifty Traveler Premium the best flight deal alert service out there. This week we welcomed Thrifty Traveler’s Product Manager, Tracey Burtch, to talk about how her time representing Team USA Figure Skat
Lie-Flat for Less: 9 Biz Class Seats You Can Easily Book with Points
Points and miles aren’t worth anything if you can’t use them. If you want to fly lie-flat business class (most of us, right?), it can be excruciating to find flights you can actually book with points. But some stand out as being much easier to book - if not downright easy. Gunnar and Kyle shine the spotlight on the airlines and routes where it’s easiest to score that business class seat using mile
Delta One to Hawaii & a Love-Hate of Cruises with TV’s Jason Matheson
The hilarious Jason Matheson - host of The Jason Show on FOX and a 20-year veteran of morning talk radio - joins the show to talk all things travel with Kyle and Gunnar. Claiming to be Thrifty Traveler’s #1 fan, Jason tells us what Canadian city sparked his love of travel before diving deep into what he loves about Hawaii and Disney. He also tries to sell the guys on cruising and he even reveals h
Will AI Wreck Air Travel?
The world of airfare is changing before our eyes. Airlines have jacked up the price of one-way flights and targeted solo passengers with higher fares, too. And, more troublingly, carriers like Delta (and others) are now leaning on AI to set airfare … raising the prospect of personalized pricing. What does it all mean? Kyle and Gunnar break it all down on this week’s episode, telling you how airfar
Travel Like Gunnar & Kyle - The Tips, Tricks & Apps We Swear By
We’re in the heart of the summer travel season, so Gunnar and Kyle put together a Travel Survival Guide to help you grease the wheels of your next trip. The guys dig into the best ways to avoid delays and cancellations (including sharing their own worst delays), plus tell you all the apps, tools, and knowledge you should bring with you on your trip to make it go smoothly this summer or fall. The g
Is Award Travel Actually Getting … Easier?
It’s the news every points and miles aficionado has been waiting for: After years of pain, award travel is, in fact, getting easier. Alongside an undeniable trend in red-hot cheap airfare, outstanding deals keep popping up to redeem your points - whether you’re on the hunt for a discounted economy deal or a notoriously hard-to-book lie-flat award ticket.So Gunnar and Kyle dig into what’s driving t
Have Banks Lost the Plot with Premium Travel Cards? Ft. Nick Serati
Higher annual fees. More perks. New lounges. It never stops.The big banks are going bigger than ever on their “premium” travel credit cards. So, Gunnar (fresh off paternity leave!) and Kyle bring Thrifty Traveler’s co-founder and credit card expert, Nick Serati, on the show to help break down all the recent moves from Chase, Amex, and Capital One. And they ask the $900-plus question: With annual f
Delta SkyMiles Aren’t As Good (Or as Bad) as You Think
How can you find the best value for your SkyMiles? Are Delta SkyMiles worthless? Can you book Delta One for cheap? Am I an idiot for caring about SkyMiles? These are the questions we get about the wildly popular (yet maddening) Delta SkyMiles program, so we do our best to answer all of them and more. Whether you want to book quick, cheap flights within the U.S. or fly business class to Asia (and e
Inside the Travel Influencer Boom, with MaxMilesPoints
Gunnar's still enjoying the new life of a girldad, so Kyle brought our first-ever special guest on the show: Max Do - better known as MaxMilesPoints. As one of the biggest and best social media creators covering points and miles, Max is uniquely qualified to explain the rise of travel influencers - both the good and the bad - while sharing his own story of how he left his 9-to-5 job (it involves a
Getting Paid to Find Flight Deals, ft. Jon Shallbetter
It’s time to talk to the Oz of our flight deal service: Jon Shallbetter, aka Jonny Nonny. Gunnar and Kyle bring Jon on the show to talk about his wizardry of all things Google Flights, finding and sending flight deal alerts, his favorite flight deal ever and worst-ever travel mistake, and more. Oh, and the guys grill Jon on the allegations that he drank Emirates dry … and he does an Admiral Ackbar
Airlines Were Charging Solo Travelers More …Until We Called Them Out
What else would we talk about on this week’s podcast than one of the biggest stories in travel? The three largest U.S. airlines were quietly charging some solo travelers higher fares …until we caught them in the act! We break down this crazy story and discuss why - and how - it was happening. Plus, we laugh at Southwest’s botched rollout of its new baggage fees, look into some (awesome) rare Etiha
How Kyle Booked a Trip to England & Scotland on Points & Miles
This week, Kyle walks us through how he booked an epic trip to England and Scotland using points and miles. There’s a business class award to London, an economy flight home, and plenty of flights, hotels and other travel expenses in between. Plus, Phoenix gets its first nonstop flight to Asia and we say goodbye to the Southwest we knew and loved. Do yourself a favor and stick around for Gunnar’s c
Barcelona for Boston Prices: Europe Flight Deals are Bonkers Lately
This week on the show, Gunnar and Kyle talk about a recent, unprecedented run of roundtrip flights to Europe in the $400s, $300s, and even $200s. The guys ask the important questions like “What is going in here?!” - and more importantly, stress that travelers should run to book a cheap trip to Italy, Greece, England and beyond this year. Plus, we’ve finally got an end date for a workaround to turn
Why Gunnar Hates ‘Cents Per Mile’ & Loves Cold Destinations
This week, Kyle gets to fire up the grill and interview his co-host Gunnar his own career in journalism and travel, why he hates “cents per mile,” his trip to Antarctica (?!), and how he feels about his looming future in family travel. Plus, the guys break down one of the best flight deals of the year, the lingering issues at Newark, and their biggest travel pet peeves. Watch us on YouTube!(00:00)
Punk, Politics & Travel w/ (Failed Uber Driver) Kyle Potter
This week on the show, we get to know co-host Kyle Potter a little better as Gunnar grills him on everything from his failed attempt at becoming an Uber driver that ultimately brought him to Thrifty Traveler, his punk/hardcore touring band days, to covering state politics as a journalist for the Associated Press (Kyle contains multitudes…). Plus, we talk about some sizzling transfer bonuses and he
Who Wins Our Frequent Flyer Program Fantasy Draft?
The NFL Draft is over. Our Airline Mileage Program Draft is here as Gunnar and Kyle each pick their top 5 frequent flyer programs. Which airline pulled a Shedeur Sanders and slid into a later round? And more importantly, who wins: Gunnar or Kyle? Oh, and the guys also talk about a crazy Delta SkyMiles sale, Tulum losing its luster, and getting to Italy for next year’s Winter Olympics.Be sure to vo
Big Five, Small Budget: Goin' on Safari with Points & Miles
Gunnar and Kyle pull out their binoculars to be your safari guides in this week’s episode. After going on their own safaris with the help of points and miles, they talk through their trips, what they loved (spoiler alert: pretty much everything), what they learned, and what they’d do differently next time. Plus, the guys gush about a new feature Google Flights is testing, wonder aloud about when t
Travel is Cooling Down … & Flight Deals are Heating Up!
Gunnar and Kyle dive deep into the tenuous state of travel demand (it's slowing down) and what it means for travelers on the hunt for a bargain (good things!) They also chat about a pair of spectacular deals that went out to Thrifty Traveler subscribers and wonder if Real ID enforcement is actually coming or not. Oh, and we officially have a listener of the week!Watch us on YouTube!(0:41) - Would
The 10 Commandments of Points & Miles
Gunnar and Kyle go back to basics on the pod: It’s not the Five D’s of Dodgeball, it’s the 10 Commandments of Points and Miles. Whether you’re just getting started with travel rewards or consider yourself a pro, this (only slightly irreverent) list can help you take things to the next level with your points. The guys also break down a troubling trend in frequent flyer programs … and Kyle roasts Gu
Chase’s Monster 100K Bonus Merits an Emergency Pod!
Gunnar and Kyle record a special, emergency episode to dive into the biggest news in travel in months: A new 100,000-point welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. They talk about why it should be on every traveler’s radar, explain who is eligible for to earn it (including if you already have the card), and take a stab at explaining why Chase would be doing this in the first place. Ever
Is Hyatt Still Top Dog of Hotel Chains?
Hotels, hotels, and also hotels: That’s what episode four of the pod is all about. Gunnar and Kyle talk about some huge hotel credit card bonuses and how Hyatt needs to step up its game … especially with Hilton hot on its heels lately for the crown of the world’s best hotel loyalty program. Gunnar makes a lot of pained (and strange) references to pools. And the guys quiz each other on where to set
A Decade of Deals, ft. Founder Jared Kamrowski
Gunnar and Kyle kindly invite Thrifty Traveler Founder Jared Kamrowski on his own show! Jared shares his favorite flights, worst travel mistakes, looks back on the (almost) decade since starting Thrifty Traveler and what he’s seen change in 10 years of flight deals and points and miles. Plus, the guys laugh about Thrifty Traveler’s extremely humble beginnings (in Jared’s garage - literally) and Gu
What the %$#* was Southwest Thinking?
Gunnar and Kyle put Southwest on trial, explaining the (shortsighted) logic behind the airline’s incredibly unpopular changes to baggage and other negative moves - and what it means for all you travelers going forward. Plus, some Hyatt properties to book ASAP before they’ll cost you more points and our absolute favorite travel hack that isn’t much of a “hack” at all. Watch us on YouTube!(0:00) Tha
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