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:

Airfare Absurdities, the Battle for Seattle & Other Travel News Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

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

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!

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

Live from Fargo! Tips for Traveling (& Saving) from Smaller Airports Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

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

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!

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

Japan & Delta SkyMiles Deals: So Hot Right Now Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

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.

Watch us on YouTube!

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

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

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!

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

The Current State of Points & Miles Deals in 2026 Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

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.

Watch us on YouTube!

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

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!

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

How the Pros Use Google Flights Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

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

Watch us on YouTube!

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!

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

Is Airfare Dropping & Where to Find Late Summer Deals Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

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!

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

Top 10 Flight Deals of 2026 (So Far) Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

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!

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

Amazing Hawaii Redemptions, Delta Highs & Lows and Other News Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

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

Watch us on YouTube!

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!

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

Something(s) Hot: What’s Going Right in Travel Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

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!

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

Live From Minneapolis! The Highs and (Disgusting) Lows of Travel Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

An audience of close to 300 travelers joined us at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis for an unhinged episode and the very-first (but not last) live recording of the podcast. The guys dish out some hot takes, take a look at the state of flight deals right now, and then share some stories of the highs and lows of travel, because travel isn’t always pretty … and sometimes, it’s downright disgusting. Plus, the guys take some questions from the audience, chastise the travelers for their airport arrivals behavior, and so much more.

Show Notes

Thank you to Meet Minneapolis for sponsoring this special episode of the Thrifty Traveler Podcast!

Watch us on YouTube!

Join us for the next live show in Fargo, North Dakota on Wednesday, July 29! Get your tickets now.

00:20 - TV personality Jason Matheson intros your hosts!

01:50 - When did Kyle think this show would end?

05:09 - Our live audience welcomes us back!

05:28 - Hot takes: Delta SkyMiles is climbing the ranks

09:40 - Gunnar’s airport walking solution

10:52 - Are credit cards the best or worst thing to happen to air travel?

14:35 - The current state of flight deals

22:40 - The arrivals pickup area at MSP is a disaster

24:27 - Thanks to our sponsors: MSP Airport, Sun Country Airlines, & Meet Minneapolis!

26:38 - Acknowledging our listeners who traveled to join us – including the Netherlands!

27:34 - The highs and lows of travel

28:20 - Kyle’s trip to Vietnam that started it all

33:50 - Gunnar’s $10k travel day to impress his cool, hot wife

36:48 - Kyle’s travel low: Back to Vietnam

39:35 - Gunnar desecrates the world’s most beautiful beach

45:10 - Our biggest travel pet peeves

46:42 - The biggest biz class booking mistakes

48:20 - How has travel hacking changed our personalities?

50:35 - Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot

53:55 - Thank you to our audience, listeners & sponsors!

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas

Audio and video recording by Jon Camp

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!

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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