The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Thrifty Traveler
  • 4.9 (162)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast – 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.

  1. 5D AGO

    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 guys come up with a new bit. Yes, another one. 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.  Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Recapping Kyle’s Costa Rica trip 02:30 - Brian kicks off the show from Kenya 03:25 - Summer travel demand to Europe is dropping … and we love it 10:00 - A PSA to book (or re-book) your spring break flights 13:30 - Introducing our new daily (and free!) Extra Mile newsletter 15:35 - New Delta SkyMiles card sign-up offers …a nd upgrade offers 19:40 - Sky Club visits reset – plus our favorite way to add a few extras 22:00 - Kyle discovers the sneaky SkyMiles card premium snack perk 24:47 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards 25:50 - Rumors swirl about a souped-up Capital One dining card: The Savor X 29:05 - Boo: The Amex Platinum increased its spend requirement by 50% 31:25 - A sweet transfer bonus to Japan Airlines from Capital One 34:00 - Reviewing the Park Hyatt London River Thames 36:20 - Listener Question: Why no love for the Bilt Palladium Card (& our “U-Turn”) 42:10 - On the Spot: What are your airport code initials? Send us your “Welcome Back to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast” video! Keep it short, tell us who you are and where you are, and say “Welcome Back to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast.” Then, upload it to thriftytraveler.com/voicemail so we can feature your video on the show!  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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min

  2. FEB 5

    “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 less.  Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - What should we call this episode? 01:55 - John Melson introduces the show 03:00 - The best airline & hotel statuses 07:15 - The worst airline & hotel statuses 11:25 - Thrifty Traveler Premium Flight Deal Quiz! 13:44 - Why we’re out on travel loyalty 22:30 - Who is loyalty for? 26:15 - Who is travel “free agency” for?  28:45 - How to get status perks without status 37:45 - Listener Question: What about credit card points loyalty? 41:30 - On the Spot: Gunnar’s 2027 list 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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min

  3. JAN 29

    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 “booksy,” discuss a new airline partnership that’s piqued their interest, and help out a traveler planning a trip to Japan. 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.  Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Gunnar & Kyle’s recent (fancy) lie-flat bookings 02:39 - Roger introduces the show from Komodo, Indonesia! 03:35 - Something Hot: The new American & Aer Lingus partnership 08:00 - Something Hotter: New & improved travel credit card tracking 11:15 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards 12:30 - The 5 Things We Do After Booking a Flight 12:35 - 1st: Forward your trip to TripIt – an essential travel tool 16:05 - 2nd: Clean-up & manage your booking 19:15 - 3rd: Set up Google Flights price alerts and award tracking 28:10 - 4th: A quick look at major logistics (using the 24-hour rule!) 31:00 - 5th: Asking your wife, requesting PTO and other “life stuff” 37:00 - Listener Question: A mea culpa & how to approach booking a Japan trip 43:40 - On the Spot: Kyle’s Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge gameplan 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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min

  4. JAN 27 · BONUS

    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 award travel while offering some hope and guidance for travelers worried about their rewards.   Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - What deals are on our "Endangered Redemptions” list?  03:05 - Kyle from a mountaintop & Gunnar’s roast review challenge 04:15 - The road ahead in points and miles: This is more than “Pointsflation” 07:20 - Are partner redemptions on their way out?  12:30 - What is United doing with their credit cards?  17:45 - Are U.S. travelers getting boxed out? 24:00 - (Annoying) transfer ratios are shifting, too 27:45 - A word from us: Stay on top of your points & miles with The Extra Mile Newsletter 28:15 - What’s driving the shift in award travel?  33:00 - Are we being too negative?  36:30 - The great (& new) redemption opportunities out there 42:00 - How to fight back against the changing award travel landscape 44:28 - Real talk: Is the points party over?  46:40 - Listener Question: How many points should you hoard? 50:40 - On the Spot: The redemption that got away 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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  5. JAN 22

    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 taking two trips to Europe with her best friend. Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - What’s our “desert island” card - the last one we’d give up? 02:13 - A special shout out from a hot air balloon near Mexico City 04:45 - What’s in our wallets? 23:15 - Something cold: Annual fees are going up 28:15 - Something colder: Bilt fumbles its 2.0 rollout 39:03 - A word from our sponsor: CardPilot, the best way to pick a credit card 40:00 - What cards should you get in 2026? 48:00 - Listener Question: Cards for Eurotrips 51:20 - The perfect 2-card combo 52:20 - On the Spot: Our physical wallets 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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    55 min

  6. JAN 15

    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 matters 23:15 - Bilt 2.0 is here, with good and bad news 30:00 - A word from our sponsor: us! Get Thrifty Traveler Premium today 33:10 - American Airlines (kinda) launches free Wi-Fi 34:10 - No mileage or status on AA basic economy tickets 35:10 - No status changes for American this year, but is bad news ahead? 36:20 - Hawaiian Airlines’ big plans for aircraft upgrades and a fancy new Honolulu lounge 38:40 - The next Capital One Lounge: Charlotte (CLT) 40:15 - Delta orders 787 Dreamliners  42:20 - Listener Question: What to do if you’re “product-swapped”?  46:10 - On the Spot: What does Kyle tell people he does for a living?  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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    49 min

  7. JAN 13 · BONUS

    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 talked about what he would do differently next time around. Join us for a trip to the North Pole! Watch us on YouTube! Read our full breakdown of the trip on our website, including links and more details! 00:00 - Why should (or shouldn’t) someone take a trip to Finnish Lapland? 02:30 - Finnair Business Class: How to book it & what it’s like 14:30 - A stopover in Helsinki: Hotel Kamp and Christmas markets 17:30 - Flying to the Arctic Circle’s Ivalo & experiencing polar night 20:00 - A special Airbnb stay on Lake Inari & and watching the Northern Lights from a hot tub 22:45 - Inari: the Janiskoski bridge hike, Sami Museum & a day trip to Saariselka 26:00 - Rovaniemi: the capital of Lapland with another lovely Airbnb stay 30:00 - Santa Claus Village: an overwhelming experience & what Gunnar would do differently next time.  35:00 - Ice skating on frozen Lake Inari! 37:00 - Northern Lights travel & is Finland really that cold? 40:30 - On the Spot: One insight Gunnar will take forward in his travels 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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min

  8. JAN 8

    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, and so much more. It’s cheaper than therapy, but it’s clear Gunnar needs both… Thanks to HotelSlash for sponsoring this episode of the show! Try it out today: Use promo code THRIFTYTRAVELER for a free 90-day trial – plus, get $20 off your first prepaid booking! Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - A half-baked hot take right off the bat 03:00 - Pet Peeves: Getting worked up about casual deplaning, TSA line procrastinators, “free” travel, speakerphones, and more.  15:14 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay & rebook when prices drop 16:10 - Hot Takes: Biz class doors, bad Airbnbs, fish on a plane, in defense of CLEAR, and…is award travel even good? 41:00 - Listener Question: When should you cancel a credit card? 45:00 - On the Spot: Airport code pop quiz Get featured on the podcast! Submit a short video (15 seconds or less) with a travel brag, your name, and where you are, and finish it with “Welcome Back to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast” and upload it to thriftytraveler.com/voicemail. We can’t wait to hear from you! 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…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    49 min
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4.9
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About

Welcome to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast – 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Thrifty Traveler
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Thrifty Traveler
  • Show Website
    The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

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