The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

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.

Latest Episodes:

Getting Paid to Find Flight Deals, ft. Jon Shallbetter Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

It’s time to talk to the Oz of our flight deal service: Jon Shallbetter, aka Jonny Nonny. Gunnar and Kyle bring Jon on the show to talk about his wizardry of all things Google Flights, finding and sending flight deal alerts, his favorite flight deal ever and worst-ever travel mistake, and more. Oh, and the guys grill Jon on the allegations that he drank Emirates dry … and he does an Admiral Ackbar impression?!

Watch us on YouTube!

0:00 - Did Jon actually cash Emirates’ supply of Dom Perignon?

05:47 - Something Hot: Jon’s favorite deal of all time (it cost $62)

07:52 - Something Cold: Jon’s worst travel mishap

09:18 - Honorable mention: The worst travel pillow ever (ft. Admiral Ackbar)

11:23 - A word from our sponsor (us … and the awesome flight deal service that Jon runs)

13:14 - How Jon got started in travel and finding flight deals for living

16:50 - The art of finding flight deals, mastering Google Flights & expanding into award travel

23:04 - A quick primer on TT lingo (and the Delly nonny to Honny)

25:55 - Lightning round with Jonny Nonny: Google Flights tips, the secrets of MSP & puppies

30:27 - Listener question: Will this be a good year for flight deals?

33:43 - What do Jon & Kyle really think about their coworker?

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson Newman
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Airlines Were Charging Solo Travelers More …Until We Called Them Out Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

What else would we talk about on this week’s podcast than one of the biggest stories in travel? The three largest U.S. airlines were quietly charging some solo travelers higher fares …until we caught them in the act! We break down this crazy story and discuss why - and how - it was happening. Plus, we laugh at Southwest’s botched rollout of its new baggage fees, look into some (awesome) rare Etihad partner award space, and Gunnar reveals what he thinks is the second sleaziest thing airlines do in airfare.

Watch us on YouTube!

(00:00) - An update on this solo traveler pricing tactic…

(00:50) - Find Something Out (from Gunnar’s house!): How Kyle reported this important story

(04:10) - Something Hot: Some rare Etihad partner award space in First Class and Business

(07:30) - Something Cold: Southwest (unsurprisingly) botches its baggage fees rollout

(12:00) - A word from our sponsor (us, and how Thrifty Traveler Premium can help find the best flight deals for you!)

(14:00) - The Extra Mile: How and why airlines were charging more for solo and business travelers than everyone else

(29:45) - A listener wants to start planning her Sept. 2026 trip now … but should she?

(33:00) - On the Spot: What other sleazy airline tactics does Gunnar hate

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!

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

How Kyle Booked a Trip to England & Scotland on Points & Miles May 29, 2025

Show notes

This week, Kyle walks us through how he booked an epic trip to England and Scotland using points and miles. There’s a business class award to London, an economy flight home, and plenty of flights, hotels and other travel expenses in between. Plus, Phoenix gets its first nonstop flight to Asia and we say goodbye to the Southwest we knew and loved. Do yourself a favor and stick around for Gunnar’s cant-miss, ridiculous story of his own trip to London … when he learned some of England’s beer-drinking rules the hard way at a consequential Chelsea match.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:45 - Our top tips for the busy summer travel season (& will Real ID matter?)

05:45 - Something hot: Phoenix’s strange (but explainable) Starlux nonstop flight to Taipei

10:30 - Something cold: Pouring one out with a goodbye to the old Southwest

14:50 - A word from our sponsor: Sign up for our (free) Daily Beat Newsletter today!

16:10 - The Extra Mile: Exactly how Kyle booked a points & miles trip to England and Scotland this summer

19:15 - How he (and about seven other Thrifty Traveler team members!) booked business class for just 29,000 points each way thanks to Virgin’s new pricing mode

22:00 - Booking a nonstop Delta flight home … but not with SkyMiles

28:30 - The best car rental booking tool out there: AutoSlash

31:00 - Booking a hotel stay at a castle in Scotland using Hilton points (at the old, cheaper rate)

32:30 - Using Capital One’s $300 travel credit to fill in the rest

37:00 - Gunnar’s legendary story of learning England’s beer-drinking laws at a Chelsea soccer match the hard way…

42:10 - Listener Question: The Concorde in our studio

45:45 - On the Spot: Travel re-treads, or what trips would we try again? Or not?

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson Newman
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Barcelona for Boston Prices: Europe Flight Deals are Bonkers Lately May 22, 2025

Show notes

This week on the show, Gunnar and Kyle talk about a recent, unprecedented run of roundtrip flights to Europe in the $400s, $300s, and even $200s. The guys ask the important questions like “What is going in here?!” - and more importantly, stress that travelers should run to book a cheap trip to Italy, Greece, England and beyond this year. Plus, we’ve finally got an end date for a workaround to turn Amex points into Alaska, we talk about Delta’s gross Basic Economy rebrand, and Kyle reveals the cheapest flight (or 10) he’s ever booked.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - The cheapest flights Kyle has ever booked

03:20 - Something Hot: Why (& how) you should transfer your Amex points to Alaska…right now!

07:30 - Something Cold: Hilton hikes award prices…again

10:40 - Something Extra Cold: Delta’s gross "Basic" rebrand bait & switch

15:20 - A word from our sponsor (us): Sign up for free Thrifty Traveler flight deal alerts today - or use code: TTPOD if you want to upgrade!

17:10 - The Extra Mile: Breaking down a bonanza of cheap flights to Europe under $400 roundtrip!

31:23 - A listener asks: What will happen to my Hawaiian miles?

33:30 - On the Spot: The best beer Gunnar’s ever had

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Why Gunnar Hates ‘Cents Per Mile’ & Loves Cold Destinations May 15, 2025

Show notes

This week, Kyle gets to fire up the grill and interview his co-host Gunnar his own career in journalism and travel, why he hates “cents per mile,” his trip to Antarctica (?!), and how he feels about his looming future in family travel. Plus, the guys break down one of the best flight deals of the year, the lingering issues at Newark, and their biggest travel pet peeves.

Watch us on YouTube!

(00:00) - Our travel pet peeves (including a fired-up rant from Gunnar)

(04:40) - Something Hot: Sizzling Europe fares in the $300s RT

(08:10) - Something Cold: Emirates makes its First Class awards tougher to book…again

(12:50) - A word from our sponsor: Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal (and hotel!) alerts

https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/

(15:25) - Kyle grills Gunnar on this career in journalism and finding Thrifty Traveler

(22:35) - Gunnar’s “aha!” moment in miles & earning his first flexible points

(27:00) - Why Gunnar hates “cents per mile”

(31:30) - His surreal trip to Antarctica

(40:15) - Listener Question: What the *bleep* is going on at Newark (EWR)?

(43:45) - On the spot: What airport & airline would Kyle avoid?

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Long Tran
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Punk, Politics & Travel w/ (Failed Uber Driver) Kyle Potter May 08, 2025

Show notes

This week on the show, we get to know co-host Kyle Potter a little better as Gunnar grills him on everything from his failed attempt at becoming an Uber driver that ultimately brought him to Thrifty Traveler, his punk/hardcore touring band days, to covering state politics as a journalist for the Associated Press (Kyle contains multitudes…). Plus, we talk about some sizzling transfer bonuses and help a listener decide if she should transfer points to Emirates speculatively.

Watch us on YouTube!

(00:00) - Who won our big airline mileage program draft?!

(02:20) - Something Hot: A trio of transfer bonuses (including a sneaky great one from Qantas)

(08:20) - Something Cold: The best credit card bonus offer we’ve ever seen is almost gone

(10:40) - A word from Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!

(12:25) - The Extra Mile: Going deep with Kyle Potter

(13:15) - How Kyle went from covering politics to getting snubbed as an Uber driver

(25:55) - Quick Hitters: Kyle on his touring punk/hardcore band, his best MSP Airport hack, hist next trip, the worst flight of his life, his dog Mikka, and more.

(34:50) - Listener Question: “Should I speculatively transfer points to Emirates?”

(37:30) - Gunnar On the Spot: 2 truths and a lie about Kyle

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Long Tran
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Who Wins Our Frequent Flyer Program Fantasy Draft? May 01, 2025

Show notes

The NFL Draft is over. Our Airline Mileage Program Draft is here as Gunnar and Kyle each pick their top 5 frequent flyer programs. Which airline pulled a Shedeur Sanders and slid into a later round? And more importantly, who wins: Gunnar or Kyle? Oh, and the guys also talk about a crazy Delta SkyMiles sale, Tulum losing its luster, and getting to Italy for next year’s Winter Olympics.

Be sure to vote in the comments

(00:00) - Is this going to be the best Olympics ever for travelers?

(04:30) - The best Delta SkyMiles sale we’ve ever seen to Asia: Just 25K roundtrip!

(09:08) - Has Tulum lost its buzz?

(12:20) - A word from our sponsor (us … and our flight deal service!)

(13:50) - Our 2025 Thrifty Traveler Airline Mileage Program Draft!

Make sure to cast your vote for the winner in the comments on YouTube, Twitter, or on the Thrifty Traveler Instagram

(34:50) - Listener Question: Best ways to travel around the school calendar when prices get high

(39:35) - Our favorite follows in travel and points & miles!

(@kpottermn, @gunnarsolson, @maxmilespoints, @claireandpeter, @travelmomsquad, @adventureparks, @raimeetravel, @ishrionaviation)

Watch us on YouTube!

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson Newman
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Big Five, Small Budget: Goin' on Safari with Points & Miles Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Gunnar and Kyle pull out their binoculars to be your safari guides in this week’s episode. After going on their own safaris with the help of points and miles, they talk through their trips, what they loved (spoiler alert: pretty much everything), what they learned, and what they’d do differently next time. Plus, the guys gush about a new feature Google Flights is testing, wonder aloud about when the Chase Sapphire's big bonus will end, and get (rightfully) called out by a listener for a bad take on a previous episode.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Gunnar finally tells the “Gunnar Olson Olson Olson” story

03:50 - Why we’re so psyched about Google Flights’ fancy new feature

09:35 - How long will the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K Bonus Offer last?

12:55 - Gunnar recaps his trip to Zanzibar and the Masai Mara safari in Kenya

34:00 - A word from our sponsor (us … and our free Extra Mile Newsletter for points and miles aficionados)

35:00 - Kyle puts on his safari hat and talks about his own trip to the South African bush

25:15 - More about elephants!

55:02 - A listener calls Gunnar & Kyle out of touch about their Hyatt free night certificates take

58:10 - Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot…and Gunnar eats some delicious crow about Hilton

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson Newman
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

Travel is Cooling Down … & Flight Deals are Heating Up! Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Gunnar and Kyle dive deep into the tenuous state of travel demand (it's slowing down) and what it means for travelers on the hunt for a bargain (good things!) They also chat about a pair of spectacular deals that went out to Thrifty Traveler subscribers and wonder if Real ID enforcement is actually coming or not. Oh, and we officially have a listener of the week!

Watch us on YouTube!

(0:41) - Would you book a fare called “Ultrabasic?”

(3:08) - A Unicorn deal & a mistake fare … all in one week!

(8:05) - Real ID is coming…but actually for real this time?

(11:54) - Travel is slowing down…

(18:32) - A word from our sponsor: Us (and our flight deal service!)

(20:53) - Why this might be the best summer ever for flight deals

(24:35) - Flight prices are going down when they should be going up

(25:20) - Domestic flights under $100 RT

(27:20) - Delta shortens summer – August is fall now

(30:05) - Points & miles deals in business and first class, too

(33:10) - Gunnar loves “inappropriate fares”

(35:00) - Why you should be rooting for low-cost carriers

(37:35) - Listener Question: Tara wants to fly biz class to Kenya

(42:13) - Our first-ever Listener of the Week loves pool metaphors more than we do!

(44:10) - Gunnar puts Kyle on the spot about his least favorite destinations

Produced by Gunnar Olson & TBD
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

The 10 Commandments of Points & Miles Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Gunnar and Kyle go back to basics on the pod: It’s not the Five D’s of Dodgeball, it’s the 10 Commandments of Points and Miles. Whether you’re just getting started with travel rewards or consider yourself a pro, this (only slightly irreverent) list can help you take things to the next level with your points. The guys also break down a troubling trend in frequent flyer programs … and Kyle roasts Gunnar for his clothes.

Watch us on YouTube!

(00:00) Making memes & fun new airline routes

(04:15) Something hot: Revisiting that huge new 100K bonus

(08:27) Something cold: U.S. airlines are pulling the strings with devaluations

(13:10) A word from our sponsor (us … and our really cool tool that’ll help you pick your next travel card!)

(14:51) The Extra Mile: The 10 Commandments of Points & Miles

(17:30) 1. Start slow

(20:03) 2. Learn about how your credit score really works

(24:04) 3. Don’t rule out cards with annual fees

(28:52) 4. Stop before you swipe - maximize your spending

(32.41) 5. & stop swiping your airline credit card everywhere

The 3 Kinds of Credit Cards I Have (But Don’t Always Use)

(37:06) 6. Honor transferable points and airline alliances

(39:53) 7. But don’t transfer your points without a purpose

(42:42) 8. Use services (like ours) and other tools to help you get ahead

Travel Freely, our favorite tool to stay organized

(48:33) 9. Travel is not a contest

(51:03) 10. Resist points paralysis: Earn and burn

(55:04) A listener wonders how to tackle points & miles with a spouse - aka “two-player mode”

(59:13) Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot about his outfit

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati
Edited by David Strutt
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!

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

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