PodcastsAviationThe Thrifty Traveler Podcast

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Thrifty Traveler
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast
Latest episode

65 episodes

  • The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

    The Dirty Little Secrets of Points & Miles

    04/23/2026 | 54 mins.
    Not everything is as easy as travel and points and miles influencers make it look. Have you ever wondered, โ€œHow are these people earning all of these points?โ€ Or, โ€œHow are these people taking so many business class flights?โ€ Theyโ€™re good questions, because people in the travel world (including sometimes us) havenโ€™t always been so forthcoming about some of the secret strategies they use to travel like they do. Join us as we unveil them all!

    Show Notes

    Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this weekโ€™s episode! Go to https://surfshark.com/thrifty4 or use code THRIFTY4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

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

    Watch us on YouTube!

    00:00 - What itโ€™s like to be a travel professional

    03:10 - Melissa from Cappadocia, Turkiye, introduces the show!

    05:10 - Quarterly airfare check-in: Where to find cheap flights

    11:35 - Where not to find cheap flights right now

    16:00 - Listener Question: How are influencers earning all these points?

    20:30 - The dirty little secrets of points and miles

    52:00 - On the Spot: What can we do better?ย 

    Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

    Video editing by Kyle Thomas

    Show music: โ€œAll Thatโ€ 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 [email protected]
    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 weโ€™re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!
    Follow us onโ€ฆ
    Instagram
    YouTube
    Facebook
    Bluesky

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

    Mistake Fares, Merger Murmurs & Battling Bag Fees

    04/16/2026 | 50 mins.
    Weโ€™re shining a spotlight on baggage (both travel and emotional โ€ฆ) 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 chatter.

    Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this weekโ€™s episode! Go to https://surfshark.com/thrifty4 or use code THRIFTY4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

    Watch us on YouTube!

    00:00 - โ€œPitiful & Pathetic:โ€ Feedback on the travel mistakes episode

    04:05 - Nate, Mo, & Koko introduce the show from New Zealand!

    04:50 - $410 business class fares to Europe: A mistake fare breakdown

    12:20 - Translating Delta CEOโ€™s statements about rising airfare

    17:30 - New Delta One Suites & a new Delta One Lounge at MSP

    22:55 - Unitedโ€™s (gross) new basic business class tickets

    25:20 - Something Stupid: United & American merger murmurs

    29:08 - Baggage fees are up โ€ฆ but why?

    34:35 - How to avoid baggage fees

    44:40- Listener Question: Would you fly east to Asia?ย 

    47:40 - On the spot: What is Kyleโ€™s favorite piece of baggage?

    Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

    Video editing by Kyle Thomas

    Show music: โ€œAll Thatโ€ 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 [email protected]
    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 weโ€™re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!
    Follow us onโ€ฆ
    Instagram
    YouTube
    Facebook
    Bluesky

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

    Our Biggest, Most Embarrassing Travel Mistakes

    04/09/2026 | 45 mins.
    Travel isnโ€™t always perfect and we certainly arenโ€™t either. This week on the show, Gunnar and Kyle cop to the worst travel mistakes theyโ€™ve made over the year. From rehashing Gunnarโ€™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. Join us as we discredit, debase, and humiliate ourselves!ย 

    Watch us on YouTube!

    00:00 - Whatโ€™s the biggest mistake travelers make?

    02:50 - Sylvia welcomes us to the show from Zion National Park

    05:15 - The Gunnar Olson Olson Olson story

    07:10 - Not checking airfare from more than one airport

    09:20 - Think before you swipe: Using the wrong card to book flights

    11:55 - Over-scheduling travel โ€“ Kyleโ€™s slightly-too-much trip

    14:00 - Not paying attention to open hours

    16:15 - Birthday fiascos and infant reservations: Donโ€™t wait until the airport!

    19:40 - Getting a ski trip shuttered by the weather

    22:30 - A word from our sponsor: Donโ€™t miss the next great flight deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium

    24:20 - Letting e-credits expire

    26:15 - Leaving something in the overhead bin

    28:30 - Swiping the same old credit card

    30:40 - Check the menu: A crazy expensive meal in Singapore

    32:35 - The pre-boarding bathroom break

    34:40 - A listener asks: Why the โ€œYo?โ€

    36:12 - Another listener asks: More on our rebooking strategy

    43:05 - The biggest mistake Gunnar has made at Thrifty Traveler

    Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

    Video editing by Kyle Thomas

    Show music: โ€œAll Thatโ€ 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 [email protected]
    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 weโ€™re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!
    Follow us onโ€ฆ
    Instagram
    YouTube
    Facebook
    Bluesky

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

    Bag Fees Go Up, United Throws Down & 10 More News Stories

    04/02/2026 | 41 mins.
    The news has been relentless to kick off the spring, so the guys spend the show tackling a dozen different stories. Thereโ€™s an update on those awful TSA lines, JetBlue already raisedย  its baggage fees, and Air France/KLM just raised surcharges on award tickets. We also look into Unitedโ€™s splashy new โ€œRelax Rowโ€ seats, discuss why American is reversing course on seatback screens, and throw out some quick takes on news like rule changes around Deltaโ€™s 20-minute baggage guarantee. Plus, a listener dubs Gunnar โ€œThe Redheaded Clown.โ€ Brutal.

    Watch us on YouTube!

    00:00 - When do you start packing for a trip?ย 

    01:43 - Rosieโ€™s daughter introduces the show from Costa Rica!

    02:20 - Weโ€™re a finalist for the 2026 Shorty Awards! Vote now at thriftytraveler.com/vote

    03:26 - Are we out of the woods with TSA issues?

    06:40 - JetBlue raises baggage fees, when will the other airlines follow?

    09:15 - Womp, womp: Flying Blue raises fuel surcharges on award tickets

    12:15 - Unitedโ€™s buzzy new Relax Row โ€“ would we book it?ย 

    16:50 - American wants to reinstall seatback screens

    20:40 - Two new nonstop routes to the Philippines?!

    23:25 - A word from our sponsor (us): Sign up for the Extra Mile newsletter today!ย 

    24:00 - Deltaโ€™s 2,500 bonus SkyMiles bags on time rule change

    23:35 - Delta inks new inflight Wi-Fi deal with Amazon

    27:00 - We love Flightyโ€™s new update

    28:35 - Amex ditches Saks, adds ChatGPT credits

    30:20 - Attention, skiers: Epic and Ikon passes are now on sale

    32:15 - Buying MLB tickets with Capital One miles is back

    33:40 - What seat on the plane is best for your skin?

    36:00 - Gunnar (finally) gets roasted in the reviews

    38:15 - On the spot: Start, bench or cut Deltaโ€™s new transpacific routes?

    Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

    Video editing by Kyle Thomas

    Show music: โ€œAll Thatโ€ 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 [email protected]
    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 weโ€™re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!
    Follow us onโ€ฆ
    Instagram
    YouTube
    Facebook
    Bluesky

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

    WTF is Happening with Flight Prices & What Weโ€™re Doing

    03/26/2026 | 55 mins.
    Gunnar is back from a rain-soaked trip to Hawaii to talk about oil prices, airfare, and whatโ€™s next for flight prices - plus, an update on whatโ€™s happening at TSA checkpoints across the country as the partial government shutdown drags on. But Gunnar canโ€™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 visit to Minneapolis for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Live Show in June!

    The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going LIVE: Join us Friday, June 12 in Minneapolis! Buy your tickets now!

    Thanks to our sponsor, Saily! Download Saily in your app store - use our code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchaseย 

    https://saily.com/thrifty ๐ŸŒ

    Watch us on YouTube!

    00:00 - Recapping Gunnarโ€™s trip to Hawaii

    04:40 - Marcus welcomes us back to the show from Cabo

    05:00 - A review of Hawaiianโ€™s fancy first class suites

    10:32 - Gunnarโ€™s Grand Theory of Travel

    14:45 - TSA News: Lines, ICE agents & more

    20:12 - A word from our sponsor: Travel abroad with an eSim from Saily!

    21:25 - Oil prices (and airfare) are going up. Whatโ€™s next?

    34:30 - What you should do now & where to find deals

    45:50 - Gunnar gets spotted & pitching Minneapolis

    52:20 - On the Spot: Whatโ€™s the most youโ€™ve paid for a flight?

    Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

    Video editing by Kyle Thomas

    Show music: โ€œAll Thatโ€ 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 [email protected]
    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 weโ€™re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!
    Follow us onโ€ฆ
    Instagram
    YouTube
    Facebook
    Bluesky

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

More Aviation podcasts

About The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Welcome to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast โ€“ a travel podcast where we dig into the latest travel news and trends and discuss all the best ways to earn and redeem your points and miles! From the ins and outs of booking cheap flights, exploring the best ways to use your airline miles, or diving into other next-level money-saving travel tips, your hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter will bring you the best of Thrifty Traveler every week! Follow us today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts and learn to travel more for less this year.
Podcast website

Listen to The Thrifty Traveler Podcast, Aviation News Talk โ€“ Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Social
v8.8.12| ยฉ 2007-2026 radio.de GmbH
Generated: 4/25/2026 - 8:39:33 PM