The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

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 joinbilt.com/thrifty.

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

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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!

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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.

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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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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!
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The world of all things points and miles is changing rapidly. So to dig into where things are at and what’s ahead, Gunnar and Kyle bring in the man they call “St. Peter” – Thrifty Traveler’s Senior Award Analyst and guru of all things award travel, Peter Thornton – to talk about the state of award availability and spell out the best uses of your points and miles as we enter the second half of 2026. Plus, they recap about some rare business class deals making a comeback, why airlines are throttling award searches … and, for some reason, talk a lot about cycling? 

Show Notes

Thanks to our sponsor, Bellroy! Check out Bellroy’s travel gear and get 10% off using this link. They've got the perfect design for any kind of traveler.

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00:00 - Introducing “St. Peter” and his adventure across Iowa

03:35 - Rami introduces the show from Emirates First Class!

04:35 - Rare business class awards are … back?

09:25 - Airlines are blocking award searches

15:15 - The Extra Mile: The current state of award availability

20:40 - Where to find economy award availability

23:30 - Where to find business class deals

27:15 - R.I.P. to the deals that got away

36:00 - Peter predicts: What’s coming next?

40:20 - A listener asks: How to find award space before calling to book

44:30 - Peter asks: What state would you bike across?

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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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!
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.