The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Yes, airlines have raised fares left and right … but they’re doing it in another way that might have flown under your radar. This week, the guys analyze why the cost to upgrade to avoid those pesky basic economy fares and what you can do about it. They also play “Travel Tinder” – letting Kyle choose whether to swipe right or swipe left on a ton of big travel stories from the past week including Bilt’s latest overhaul, a bevy of Southwest news, some fun new routes, and changes to status. Plus, they get Gunnar’s submissions for the name of the O’Hare boulder.

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00:00 - Recapping our team retreat to Mexico City!

02:30 - A Lucha Libre vibe check

03:30 - Why it costs more than ever to avoid basic economy fares

13:05 - Bilt overhauls its program … again

19:40 - How much will it cost to earn status in 2027?

21:10 - Southwest: Companion Pass, Icon Lounge, & more

26:40 - A word from our sponsor: Kyle’s favorite Thrifty Traveler Premium deals

27:55 - More cool new routes: Hello, Columbus!

30:35 - Amex expands a few Centurion Lounges

31:05 - But Amex FHR hotel credits get harder to use

34:05 - ORD’s rock-naming contest (& Gunnar’s ideas)

36:10 - Air airline employee asks: What should airlines do better?

40:30 - Gunnar revisits his (terrible) O’Hare take

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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There’s nothing quite like booking a lie-flat seat using points instead of forking over $3,000 or more. But it’s no slam dunk: Finding award availability to book business class seats can be a chore. So this week on the Thrifty Traveler Podcast, Gunnar and Kyle give you a playbook for finding the flights you want, including which airlines stand out for being easiest to book and some evergreen tips to maximize your chances of finding a lie-flat seat. Plus, Kyle brags about his low points balances and answers the toughest “On the Spot” question yet.

Thanks to our sponsor, Monarch! Go to https://www.monarch.com/ and use code “THRIFTY” to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50!

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - What’s Kyle’s lowest points balance?

00:50 - How far in advance does Kyle book biz class?

02:40 - Richie welcomes us back from Guam!

03:10 - Sweet spots & tips for finding business class award availability

18:45 - Thanks to our sponsor, Monarch Money!

20:10 - The easiest biz class seats you can actually book with points

47:45 - Listener Question: Where to start for a family Euro trip

50:40 - Kyle chooses a biz class to book … with a catch!

Related Links:

Booking Qatar QSuites for others

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What aren’t the airlines saying out loud? How will tech and AI shape our travels? And what’s the future of award travel look like? Those questions are big enough for the guys to bring in another expert to tackle them: Zach Griff, a longtime travel writer, airline and loyalty insider, and the author of the From the Tray Table newsletter. Together, Gunnar, Kyle & Zach analyze the changing loyalty landscape; Zach takes you all inside splashy airline events, and he gives his best travel tips - including his favorite tech and his favorite (and least favorite) travel destinations.

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Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Exposing airline talking points and jargon

03:30 - Hamed welcomes us back to the show from Tokyo!

04:00 - Inside airline media events & announcements

09:40 - The present and future of airline loyalty programs

18:20 - Zach Griff’s favorite Thrifty Traveler Premium deals!

21:45 - Diving into Zach’s career and From the Tray Table

28:15 - Is United overtaking Delta? Or is it just vibes?

34:30 - Why travelers should care about Apple and tech

41:50 - Rapid fire: Best gadgets, best (& worst) destinations & more

49:15 - Listener Question: Outlining our award travel ski strategy

53:30 - On the Spot: Would you ever move based on an airline hub?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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This week, the guys break down all the travel news that’s fit to podcast … and there’s a lot of it. That includes a brand-new (and free) tool to save on flights when fares drop, new big card bonus offers, 11 (!) transfer bonuses, and a deep dive on what the heck has happened with World of Hyatt? Plus, they go through the airports with the highest airfare, Alaska’s big splash, and we wade into what Gunnar is calling the “Starlink scuttlebutt.”

Thank you to our sponsor, Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt. Sign up at http://joinbilt.com/thrifty.

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Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Gunnair has a new competitor: Pottair!

02:35 - Jen & Tom welcome us back from Ireland!

03:05 - Introducing our new FareTracker tool!

05:50 - New United card bonuses & the key to better biz class deals

09:55 - 11 (!) new transfer bonuses on our radar

13:10 - How to transfer 30K Delta SkyMiles for free

15:50 - Now the end of Bilt and Hyatt 1:1 transfers is coming …

18:00 - … and yet Hyatt keeps getting worse

20:30 - The U.S. airports with the highest airfare

23:35 - R.I.P. to this sweet spot from Japan Airlines

26:10 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards!

27:00 - New Alaska Atmos transfer partner(s)?

29:50 - Alaska’s fancy new biz class suites & more

34:20 - A (proposed) Chase Sapphire Lounge at SEA

36:40 - The Delta-Starlink scuttlebutt

41:40 - Rapid fire news and notes: Online passports & more

48:15 - Listener Question: How to manage price alerts

51:00 - On the Spot: What’s the biggest story in travel this year?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So much changes so fast in the world of points and miles, it’s easy to lose track. So in this episode of the Thrifty Traveler Podcast, the guys go through (almost) every single airline loyalty program and decide: Are they trending up or are they down? But they need some help, so flight deal analyst Katie Rollins joins to break things down … and also shares a legendary travel mishap. The gang also sorts through some hotel points programs and helps a listener deal with their PreCheck-less travel companions.

Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go tohttps://saily.com/thrifty ⛵

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00:00 - Introducing Katie Rollins (& her trip to Iceland)

02:20 - Matt & Annika welcome us back from Albania!

03:15 - Something Hot: Leading Hotels of the World

06:15 - Something Cold: The Hyatt-Chase transfer “D-Day”

09:20 - A word from our sponsor, Saily!

10:15 - The best Thrifty Traveler Premium hotel & flight deals

11:30 - Our rankings: Who’s up and who’s down in airline loyalty programs

45:45 - The etiquette of ditching your non-PreCheck friends

48:15 - Revisiting Katie’s brutal rental car mistake in Iceland

53:30 - On the Spot: Luxury flights or hotels?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Heading home for the holidays can be expensive, especially this year… but it doesn’t have to be. We’re in the heart of holiday flight booking season, so Gunnar and Kyle give all their best tips for saving on flights on those high-demand holiday season flights. The guys go through when to book your trips (spoiler alert: sooooon), where to target for the best deal, and when to turn to your points and miles to get home for the holidays. Plus, the guys gush about Japan Airlines again, welcome the return of cheap flights to Europe, and revisit Kyle’s Hilton vs. Hyatt take.

Thanks to our sponsor, Monarch! Go to Monarch.com and use code “THRIFTY” to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50!

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Our points & miles Santa Claus

00:40 - Advice for traveling over the holidays

01:50 - Julius in Malta welcomes us back to the show

02:50 - Something Hot: Hilton’s new card offers

06:30 - Something Hotter: Cheap flights to Europe return!

08:25 - Something Hottest: JAL miles keep getting better!

13:50 - A word form our sponsor: Monarch!

15:00 - What’s the best time to book holiday flights?

18:00 - And what the heck is going on with flight prices?

23:45 - Tips for finding cheaper flights over the holidays

31:50 - Holiday sweet spots: Traveling abroad & biz class

36:40 - Listener Question: Our flight cancellation playbook

41:15 - On the Spot: What’s the ideal Thanksgiving trip?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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You’ve earned the points, you’ve booked the trip … but how do you make your travels more enjoyable? On this (perhaps not final?) episode of Starter Kit, the guys walk through the little things you can do to improve your entire trip, from the planning process to booking lodging, rental cars, and trains to making your airport experience easier - and even how to beat jet lag and find activities to do abroad. And in the name of keeping things thrifty, they spill the beans on the best way to cover these extra expenses with points and miles.

Watch us on YouTube!

Starter Kit is sponsored by Thrifty Traveler Premium, the world’s best flight deal service. Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts - use promo code “START” at thriftytraveler.com/premium.

00:00 - Has Kyle achieved travel nirvana?

02:50 - Tools & apps to organize your travel plans

07:50 - Make the airport easier: TSA, lounges & Flighty

20:00 - Lodging tips: Finding the best hotels & vacation rentals

26:05 - Saving on rental cars with Autoslash or Turo

31:00 - How to find other forms of transportation

32:45 - Tips for traveling better on the ground

45:30 - Your final flight plan!

47:00 - Kyle’s final advice to travelers: Get out there!

Volume 5 Flight Plan:

• Organize your travel plans with TripIt, Google My Maps, and more, and understand your phone plan or eSim
• Streamline your airport experience with TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Flighty, and other apps and services
• Cast a wide net when looking for lodging: Don’t just search Airbnb and Google Hotels - go deeper
• Stop overpaying for rental cars: Use tools like Autoslash or Turo for better rates
• Use our tips to improve your travels on the ground (and earn Capital One miles to cover them!)

Related Episodes & Links Mentioned:

Ep. 31: Beating Rental Car Companies & Hotel Chains with Autoslash CEO Jonathan Weinberg
Bonus: Why Flighty is Our Favorite Travel App
TripIt —TripIt
Google —Google My Maps ·Google Hotels ·Google Maps / Street View
Saily —Saily eSIM
Airalo —Airalo eSIM
Thrifty Traveler Premium —Thrifty Traveler Premium Flight Deals (Use promo code START for $20 off your first year!)
TSA —TSA PreCheck ·TSA Digital ID / Touchless ID information
CLEAR —CLEAR+
Global Entry / Mobile Passport Control —Global Entry / Trusted Traveler Programs ·Mobile Passport Control information
Flighty —Flighty
LoungeReview —LoungeReview
American Express —Amex Global Lounge Collection
Airbnb —Airbnb ·Airbnb Experiences ·Airbnb Reverse Image Search
Vrbo —Vrbo
AutoSlash —AutoSlash
Turo —Turo
Rome2Rio —Rome2Rio
Viator —Viator
Cashback Monitor —Cashback Monitor
Capital One —Capital One Offers ·Capital One Travel ·Capital One Miles redemption guide
Rakuten —Rakuten
Copenhagen Card —Official Copenhagen Card
Charles Schwab —Schwab Bank Investor Checking
AllTrails —AllTrails

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
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Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Earning and redeeming points can be full of trip hazards … and Gunnar’s tripped on almost all of them. So this week, the guys outline the biggest award travel mistakes they’ve seen (and made) so that you can avoid making the same mistakes on your own travel journey. Plus, the guys break down some positive points news from Qatar Airways, walk through their analysis of where you can score “poor man’s business class,” an help a listener out planning a trip to Europe next year.

Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/thrifty ⛵

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - R.I.P. the TSA line water bottle chug

02:45 - Holly welcomes us back from the Dolomites!

03:40 - The best flights to find “poor man’s business class”

10:30 - Qatar backs off its restrictive booking rules

15:50 - Thanks to our sponsor, Saily!

16:45 - The 10 most common award travel mistakes

45:00 - The 1-year-out award travel checklist

47:30 - On the Spot: How many of these mistakes has Gunnar made?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
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Facebook
Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Award travel can feel overwhelming and complicated … but not with the right tools and organization. This week on our special Starter Kit series, Kyle and Gunnar walk through all the websites, apps, and tools they use to organize their credit cards, points, miles, and travels. From a credit card benefit tracker to ways to use your pesky monthly dining credit to the best services to maximize your points and miles, it’s all here.

Watch us on YouTube!

Starter Kit is sponsored by Thrifty Traveler Premium, the world’s best flight deal service. Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts - use promo code “START” at thriftytraveler.com/premium.

00:00 - When did Kyle realize it’s time to get organized?

02:40 - Using our Credit Card Benefit Tracker

06:35 - How to organize your credit cards

12:00 - Understanding & maximizing your credit card perks

17:00 - Tools you need to book award travel

33:00 - Your Vol. 4 Flight Plan

Volume 4 Flight Plan:

• Find tools to manage your credit cards, your benefits, and your passwords
• Bookmark resources that can help you maximize your card credits and benefits
• Sign up for free sites that take the guesswork out of booking award travel (like TripIt, Aerolopa, MaxMyPoint, and more)
• Consider signing up for our tools: The free Card Benefit Tracker or Thrifty Traveler Premium

Related Episodes:

Ep. 30 - Tools of the Trade: How We Earn, Organize & Redeem Points Smarter

Ep. 50 - Inside Thrifty Traveler with Founder Jared Kamrowski

Ep. 17 - Have Banks Lost the Plot With Premium Credit Cards?

Ep. 46 - What’s in Our Wallets & Our Points Planners

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
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Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some deals are just unbelievably good in the world of points and miles … and a select few are too good to last forever. That’s why the guys are shining the light on some of the best deals in all of points and miles - the ones you should book ASAP before they disappear. Whether you’re spending 2,000 miles on a domestic flight, 60,000 miles to fly business class to Japan, or flying lie-flat to London for a fraction of the miles (and fees) that other airlines charge, we analyze the endangered species of points and miles redemptions. Plus, the guys unpack Alaska’s family-friendly update and wonder aloud: Should there be a smoking section inside Southwest’s upcoming lounges?

Thank you to our sponsor, Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt. Sign up at http://joinbilt.com/thrifty.

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Travel hacks we won’t gatekeep … even questionable ones

02:05 - Sherie welcomes us back to the show from Lauterbrunnen!

02:45 - Alaska goes worst to first for its lap infant policy

07:20 - Southwest announces lounges and a premium card

12:10 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards!

13:20 - Endangered: The 10 best deals that are too good to last

46:20 - Extinct: The ones that got away

50:35 - Jennifer asks: When should you buck the flights first rule?

52:20 - Katie asks: What happens to your points bonus if you downgrade?

54:50 - On the Spot: What deal would you un-gatekeep?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
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Facebook
Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s time to learn how to redeem those points and miles you’ve earned for travel … and while it might seem scary, this is the fun part! We walk through the basics of redeeming your points – including a step-by-step guide to transferring to partner airlines and hotels, which is (almost) always the best path. Plus, a primer on airline alliances, finding award availability, and some of our best ideas of how to redeem your points for maximum value for your next big trip.

Watch us on YouTube!

Starter Kit is sponsored by Thrifty Traveler Premium, the world’s best flight deal service. Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts - use promo code “START” at thriftytraveler.com/premium.

00:00 - Do we still get nervous transferring points?

02:30 - What should you earn: Points or miles?

04:50 - Using credit card points: Travel portals & transfers

09:00 - When it makes sense to transfer your points

12:30 - A primer on finding that all-important award availability

15:50 - Why knowing airline alliances & partnerships is key

20:00 - How to transfer points: A step-by-step guide

21:30 - Sign up for all your airline programs now!

30:05 - Our favorite programs and redemptions to get started

36:30 - How to NOT use your points and miles

42:00 - Your Vol. 3 Flight Plan!

Volume 3 Flight Plan:

• Set up all of your loyalty accounts as soon as possible
• Do your homework: Check for availability and all possible options before booking, including the travel portal and other partner airlines
• Get to know transfer partners, alliances, and partnerships
• Use the Flight Plan from Ep. 1: Use the flights first rule and be flexible
• Earn and burn: Use those points - they rarely go up in value

Related Episodes:

Ep. 5 - The 10 Commandments of Points & Miles

Ep. 66 - Airline Alliances Episode

Ep. 73 - The Current State of Award Availability in 2026

The Master List of Credit Card Transfer Partners

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
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Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Google Flights is making a big move into the points and miles game, United’s CEO’s egotistical comments, Delta’s weird (but arguably best-ever?) credit card offer, and a bevy of new Europe routes all headline a big news roundup to close out the summer. Tune in as Gunnar and Kyle dole out advice about transferring points to Hyatt, analyze the boom in flights to the slopes, look into some puzzling Chase Sapphire Lounge news, and review the Delta One Lounge in Seattle, KLM’s Premium Comfort seats, and Gunnar’s latest glamping adventure!

Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/thrifty ⛵

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - & the winner of our credit card draft is…

02:15 - What’s going on with Gunnar’s voice?

03:10 - Staley welcomes us back from South Africa!

04:20 - Google Flights gets into the points game

08:40 - United’s cardholder discounts: Solid, but no slam dunk

15:20 - Let’s Play: Translate! That! Airline CEO!(ft. United’s Scott Kirby)

22:55 - Delta’s weird (but awesome) credit card offer

27:00 - New route nerd out: Europe flying goes sky high

33:20 - A word from our sponsor, Saily!

34:25 - Will this be the end of pre-departure drinks?

36:40 - Chase drops its only lounge reservation system

38:00 - American’s new (& worse?) premium card

39:05 - Analyzing the flight boom to ski resorts

42:30 - Delta One Lounge Seattle review

44:00 - KLM: Premium Comfort vs. Biz Class

47:05 - Gunnar’s latest glamping adventure

48:45 - The most & least expensive airports for a beer

51:20 - A listener asks: Should you speculatively transfer from Chase to Hyatt?

55:35 - On the spot: The ideal number of travel beers?

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you want to get into redeeming points and miles, you need to earn them first. So in our second installment of our Starter Kit series, Gunnar and Kyle break down the best strategies for earning tons of travel rewards. While it might start with credit cards as the engine of an earning strategy - and the guys spend some time outlining their strategies and busting credit score myths - there are plenty of other ways to rack up all the points and miles you need, too.

Watch us on YouTube!

Our Starter Kit is sponsored by Thrifty Traveler Premium, the world’s best flight deal service. Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts - use promo code “START” at thriftytraveler.com/premium.

00:00 - What would do with a blank slate in points & miles?

02:35 - The most important step for earning tons of points

07:50 - Understanding award travel credit cards

15:40 - What to consider when signing up for a credit card?

22:20 - Our favorite starter travel rewards credit cards

29:30 - Go deeper: Sign up for our free Extra Mile newsletter!

30:00 - How to earn points & miles with strategic spending

37:30 - The ways to earn points & miles without credit cards

Volume 2 Flight Plan:

• Get Organized: Track and organize your points and credit cards using our credit card benefit tracker, a personal spreadsheet, or a note on your smartphone.
• Set a goal & work backwards: Set your travel goals first, then figure out what points, miles, and credit cards can get you there.
• Use the “Potter Pause”: Activate that mental block before you make any purchase so you can maximize every dollar you spend.
• Ramp up your “accidental earning”: Link your loyalty programs, sign up for shopping and travel portals, and nibble around the edges to stack up points and miles.

Related Episodes:

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/ep-67-record-card-bonuses/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/bonus-ep-chase-sapphire-preferred-update/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/ep-61-how-to-earn-a-million-points/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-46-whats-in-our-wallets/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-30-award-travel-tools-of-the-trade/

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Gunnar’s gone, so Kyle and Nick go head-to-head in a fantasy football style draft to build the perfect five-card travel wallet ... with a lot riding on the outcome, thanks to a last-minute bet. But before the draft, they unpack American’s (long-overdue) reversal to seatback screens, United’s splashy 2027 international expansion, and Flying Blue’s horrible news. Plus, they answer a listener’s questions about insurance that comes from top travel credit cards.

Thanks to our sponsor, Saily! Download Saily’s app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. Learn more at https://saily.com/thrifty.

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - The state of travel credit cards in 2026 is…

03:44 - Igor welcomes us back from Torrey Pines

05:57 - American’s seatback-screen reversal and United’s 13 new routes

12:20 - Boo: Flying Blue’s new three-tier award pricing

19:45 - A word from our sponsor, Saily

20:45 - The Extra Mile: Drafting the best five-card wallet

46:22 - A listener asks: Which cards have the best built-in travel insurance?

49:55 - Fantasy draft punishment

Vote for who had the best wallet on our YouTube:

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Are you ready to get started with points, miles, and all things cheap travel? It all starts with airfare, so in this first installment of our new Starter Kit series, Gunnar and Kyle walk through how to find the cheapest flight possible, every single time. The guys cover the tips, tricks, tools, and (most importantly) the mindset you need to find cheap flights and start traveling more for less.

Watch us on YouTube!

Our Starter Kit is sponsored by Thrifty Traveler Premium, the world’s best flight deal service. Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts - use promo code “START” at http://thriftytraveler.com/premium.

00:00 - Kicking off our Starter Kit: How we got started

2:52 - The two most important rules for finding cheap flights

7:09 - Why you NEED to start your search with Google Flights

11:24 - One-way flights versus roundtrip bookings

15:34 - Learning how to follow the deal, not the destination

16:51 - Positioning flights: the key to cheaper international fares

18:56 - And the risks of using those positioning flights…

20:35 - The intricacies of airfare & what to avoid

24:38 - The art of rebooking flights to save even more

30:26 - Busting bogus airfare myths

33:35 - Your Flight Plan - Recap & to-dos from Ep. 1

36:48 - Up next in Starter Kit…

Vol. 1 Flight Plan:

Think “Flights First”: Plan your trips around the best flight deals and book them before anything else

Book quickly: Utilize the 24-hour flight cancellation rule to get the best deals. Book fast, figure out the details later.

Get to know Google Flights: By far the most powerful flight booking tool and the key to saving on airfare. Use its price calendar, the filters, and price alerts to book when prices drop

Start re-booking your flights: Set up price alerts on your existing flights and rebook when prices drop. It’s the most underrated way to save big on travel.

Related episodes:

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/ep-72-google-flights/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-47-post-booking-checklist/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-25-book-the-cheapest-flight-every-time/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-50-inside-thrifty-traveler/

https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/ep-70-top-10-flight-deals/

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Introducing “Starter Kit” - a dedicated series of special bonus episodes to help you get started in points and miles, become a true award travel “sicko” or just brush up on your skills and knowledge on all things cheap travel. Over the course of several episodes, we’ll walk through the basics of finding cheap flights, the best ways to earn tons of points, how to transfer and redeem miles for maximum value, and all the tools we use to stay organized and get ahead.

Episode 1 of Starter Kit drops Tuesday, Aug. 25, with future installments coming every Tuesday into the fall. Each episode will appear right here on the Thrifty Traveler Podcast feed, wherever you get your podcasts as well as on YouTube!

Our Starter Kit is brought to you by the world’s best flight deal alert service, Thrifty Traveler Premium. Sign up today at http://thriftytraveler.com/premium - use the special promo code “START” to get $20 off your first year.

Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Kyle is out on vacation, so … Kyle is in - the younger, arguably cooler, and definitely taller Kyle, that is. Our podcast editor & social media guru, Kyle Thomas, joins Gunnar on the show to recap his recent flight in United’s new “Elevated” Polaris business class cabin over to London and answers the question: How does it stack up against his beloved Delta One? Plus, the guys talk through some troubling trends with American AAdvantage miles, and review some Resy/Tock news.

Thanks to our sponsor, Monarch! Go to Monarch.com and use code “THRIFTY” to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50!

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - A different (& better) Kyle weighs in with a business class take

02:42 - Megan welcomes back the show from Charleston

03:24 - Something Hot: Avios are getting … easier to redeem?

05:18 - Another Something Hot: So are Amex dining credits?!

07:35 - Something Cold: The long-dreaded AAdvantage devaluation is underway

14:32 - A word from our sponsor: Monarch!

15:36 - The Extra Mile: Kyle pits United Polaris against Delta One

16:53 - Highlights & misses from United’s new “Elevated” Polaris biz class

31:20 - Final scorecard from United Polaris

31:32 - Kyle recaps the wins & losses from 10 (!!!) Delta One flights

42:09 - & a scorecard from Delta One

42:35 - And the final verdict is…

47:18 - A listener asks: Where to credit miles for a Lufthansa redemption?

51:58 - On the Spot: Tips to maximize a short stay

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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From a bizarre (and arguably absurd) Delta flight pricing quirk, new and disappearing Alaska Atmos redemptions, American’s late premium push, or the ongoing “Battle for Seattle,” there’s no shortage of travel news for Gunnar and Kyle to break down on the show this week. Plus, the guys help a listener with that age-old question of award travel: should you book a flight with lower mileage rates or fewer fees?

Thank you to our sponsor, Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt. Sign up at http://joinbilt.com/thrifty.

And another thanks to North Dakota Tourism for sponsoring the show!

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Being “back from Japan” is so tough

02:45 - Kelly & Wes welcome us back from Kona!

04:45 - Delta airfare absurdity: Athens for less than Atlanta?!

08:50 - RIP to this awesome biz class redemption

10:50 - But Philippine Airlines is now bookable with Alaska!

13:10 - Two awesome transfer bonuses this month

15:10 - Amex adds an interesting new hotel partner

18:40 - The overlooked 100K point Chase card offers

20:40 - A word from our sponsors: Bilt Rewards & North Dakota Tourism

22:45 - American adds Flagship Check-in at DFW …

26:45 - … but cuts some upgrades for elites …
29:05 - … and raises the annual fee on its top credit card

33:00 - SkyMiles and Starbucks switch it up (again)

35:30 - Delta bullies out another airline

40:00 - But the Battle for Seattle rages on

45:10 - Would you rather: Lower award rate or fewer fees?

49:20 - On the Spot: Predicting the next fare war

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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The guys took the show on the road: Coming to you live from TEDxFargo in North Dakota in late July, Gunnar and Kyle devoted an episode of the show to airports not named JFK, LAX, MSP, ORD, or the other big hubs. The guys swapped stories and shared tips about traveling from smaller airports and cities. They talk about their favorite (and least favorite …) experiences at small airports before diving into the top tips for finding better deals, using points and miles, and traveling smarter from smaller airports. Plus, a TTPOD fan forces Gunnar to reckon with his O’Hare take and (former Fargo resident!) Kyle delights in seeing Gunnar’s reaction to visiting Fargo for the first time.

This episode is presented by Visit Fargo-Moorhead!

And our thanks to North Dakota Tourism and Fargo Hector International Airport!

Watch us on YouTube!

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Kyle’s triumphant return to Fargo

01:15 - Our favorite travel beers

04:15 - The Fargo audience welcomes us back!

04:35 - Thanks to our presenting sponsor: Visit Fargo-Moorhead

06:15 - Swapping our best small airport travel experiences

16:30 - Our weirdest, quirkiest small airport stories

22:30 - Thanks to our sponsor: North Dakota Tourism

23:35 - How to save on flights from smaller airports

43:50 - Thanks to our sponsor: Fargo Hector International Airport

44:40 - The best part of flying out of a small airport

46:30 - How to make travel easier at smaller airports

51:45 - Programs to avoid for high fees and surcharges

54:30 - Gunnar’s official legal statement about O’Hare

56:15 - Kyle’s favorite Fargo memory & best Fargo beer

Video & Audio production by LiveWire

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

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Kyle joins the show from the Park Hyatt Tokyo on this special Japan-themed episode. While the sun slowly rises behind him, Kyle first revisits his scorching hot take about the rise of SkyMiles before the guys dig into where to go in Japan, how to get there, and where to stay on your next trip. Plus, Gunnar gives his own hot take about jet lag, and Kyle gives advice on how to beat it.

Watch us on YouTube!

Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details, go to https://saily.com/thrifty

Join the conversation!Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.

00:00 - Kyle is live from the Park Hyatt Tokyo!

02:35 - Kyle and Matt give us a Japan-themed welcome back

03:25 - Kyle’s scorching hot Delta SkyMiles take

09:45 - Pushing back on Kyle’s take and the “clearance meat” story

13:20 - Chase cuts Priority Pass users out of its lounges

16:25 - Kyle’s grueling 10 hours of DFW lounge hopping

18:50 - A word from our sponsor Saily!

19:50 - The Extra Mile: Where to go in Japan

35:00 - How to fly to Japan: Haneda vs. Narita and flight deals

40:15 - Kyle’s review of the new JAL Biz Class on the A350

47:50 - Where to stay in Japan: Hyatt Regency, Conrad and more

55:20 - How to get around in Japan

57:37 - What points should Judy earn for biz class flights to Japan

01:01:00 - Kyle’s tips for beating jet lag

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot

Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com

Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!

Follow us on…
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Facebook
Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.