The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

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 other details that set Google Flights apart as the best travel tool out there. 

Show Notes

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

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 

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

00:00 - Elevator pitch: Why should you use Google Flights?

02:50 - Dan & Terry welcome us back from the Andaz Costa Rica

03:40 - The Extra Mile: How to use Google Flights like a pro

23:10 - A word from our sponsor: Saily!

24:10 - A word from our sponsor: Monarch!

25:15 - Google Flights 401: Explore, Price Alerts & and more

41:00 - What about PointsPath or Seats.Aero browser extensions?

45:00 - What did Gunnar use before Google Flights?

 

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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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 story in the saga of “bougie boyfriend.” 

Show Notes

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. 

This week’s episode is also by Visit Fargo-Moorhead!

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

00:00 - Ranking World Cup countries as travel destinations

02:05 - Katie welcomes us back to the show from London!

03:00 - The new-look Thrifty Traveler Podcast!

03:20 - Flighty’s new connection assistant update

06:23 - Sounding off on Delta “Basic Business”

15:40 - A word from our sponsor Bilt Rewards!

16:40 - A word from our sponsor Visit Fargo-Moorhead!

18:15 - What’s happening with airfare?

29:00 - Where to (still) find summer deals

38:50 - A listener’s “bougie boyfriend”

41:20 - How many Chase cards is too many?

44:45 - Kyle’s ideal place for a race route

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

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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, and more. Plus, we help a listener with their “phantom” space problem, and Gunnar revisits the Taco Bell Cantina at DEN … again …

Thanks to our sponsors: 

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 ⛵

Book your next flight at FargoAirport.com!

Watch us on YouTube!

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

00:00 - What’s the big story from the first half of 2026?

04:00 - And why is that the Taco Bell Cantina DEN …

05:05 - Dana, Clayton, & Stan from White Sands, New Mexico

06:15 - A new best way to book Hawaiian Airlines Biz Class

09:30 - Qantas Biz Class on one of the world’s longest flights 

11:25 - A rare sale on Delta’s flights to South Africa

13:05 - Delta One SkyMiles sale to Hong Kong

15:55 - Flights to Tahiti for $463 roundtrip

17:34 - A word from our sponsor: Fargo Airport (FAR)!

18:25 - A word from our sponsor: Saily!

19:18 - Some love for hotels, starting with Hermitage Bay Antigua

20:35 - Availability at the renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo

21:30 - The new Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica

22:45 - The first widespread Qsuites availability in years

26:50 - Delta One to Europe from 97k SkyMiles each way

31:10 - Flights to Asia from $359 … roundtrip!

33:15 - Turkish Airlines Biz Class mistake fare

35:50 - The best deal of the year … so far …

39:00 - How did Gunnar do on his top 10 list?

39:50 - Kyle’s honorable mentions

41:15 - What is “phantom” award space?

45:10 - What’s the best thing we’ve booked in 2026?

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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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.

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

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

00:00 - Gunnar & Kyle both got “booksy”

02:24 - The Larsons welcome us back from Machu Picchu!

03:50 - Is this the best Southwest Rapid Rewards redemption?

08:55 - Translating Delta CEO’s (gross) comments on airfare

16:45 - A new Delta One Lounge ATL … eventually

21:15 - Transferring points from Chase to Hilton

24:25 - A Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal World Cup

27:50 - Delta SkyMiles premium snack benefit extended!

29:30 - & T-Mobile customers get a free drink!

30:20 - We’re hiring! What it’s like to work with us …

31:45 - Drafting our favorite new winter routes

37:45 - A listener asks: How to use Google Flights for award travel?

41:05 - On the spot: Advice for getting into the travel industry

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 pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 listener decide on an airline from a Midwestern city and see if Kyle can stay positive for an entire 45 minutes!

Thanks to our sponsors:

Check out Bellroy’s travel gear and get 10% off using our link: https://bit.ly/4djV6u7

Head to Saily.com/Thrifty for 15% off your first purchase!

Get 50% off your first year of Monarch with promo code “THRIFTY”

Watch us on YouTube!

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

00:00 - A word from our sponsor, Bellroy!

01:19 - Is it actually “The Golden Age of Points and Miles”?

03:18 - Shiloh welcomes us back from Costa Rica!

03:50 - Flight deals are still good

07:00 - Delta SkyMiles deals keep getting better

09:45 - A bevy of (fun) new route announcements

14:10 - An exciting newcomer: Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

18:05 - Touchless kiosks & CLEAR improvements are changing TSA lines

21:40 - Credit card bonuses are better than ever

24:25 - A word from our sponsor, Saily!

25:30 - A word from our sponsor, Monarch!

26:45 - New, more lucrative ways to earn points

29:40 - New seats, new planes & new hotels

33:20 - Airline loyalty gets you further (sometimes)

36:45 - Bigger, better lounges & more of them

40:00 - An Indy listener weighs American vs. Delta

43:22 - What positive trend impacts Gunnar the most?

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 pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.