The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Gunnar is back from a rain-soaked trip to Hawaii to talk about oil prices, airfare, and what’s next for flight prices - plus, an update on what’s happening at TSA checkpoints across the country as the partial government shutdown drags on. But Gunnar can’t stop talking about his vacation, so he gives a review of Hawaiian Airlines First Class, reveals his grand theory of travel, and the guys pitch a visit to Minneapolis for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Live Show in June! The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going LIVE: Join us Friday, June 12 in Minnea...

Against all odds, our baby - this humble travel podcast - is one year old! So the guys are celebrating the best way they know how: by turning the show over to you listeners for another mailbag episode. What’s the best way to book a business class seat all the way to Australia - or Hawaii? Why do airlines charge more per ticket for more passengers? How do we rack up more points? Plus, we’ve got huge news about the show that at least four of you have been waiting for… The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is goi...

Sure, you can earn and redeem SkyMiles and Rapid Rewards points to your heart’s content. We won’t stop you. But it’s the next level of points and miles programs that help you save even more and turn regular travelers into “sickos” like us. So the guys devote the show to spelling out five underrated airline mileage programs even everyday travelers can use to maximize their credit card points. Plus, a listener suggests a new nickname for fans of the show (there are dozens of you, we swear!) and Gunnar puts his all-time favorite airline programs on the Olympi...

This week, we round up all the recent travel news that’s fit to podcast! That includes Kyle’s experience with CLEAR’s (honestly amazing) new e-gates, what United’s up to with its credit card moves, a shocking-but-welcome move to require headphones onboard, Southwest’s carry-on bag problems literally everyone should have seen coming, hot and cold news from Avios, and much more! Plus, we help a listener get a refund and Gunnar declares whether he’ll ever fly Southwest again.  Thank you to our sponsor Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood...

Kyle and Gunnar are joined by Thrifty Traveler Chief Flight Deal Analyst (and Domino’s elite member) Jon Shallbetter, who helps them put the 37 combined business class seats they’ve flown into tiers so you can tell what flights are worth your points and which ones may not be. From the best of the best to the experiences that are missing something to the flights that were flat-out forgettable, the guys break it all down, Qsuites to Icelandair and everything in between. Plus, they admit what they haven’t flown and Kyle and Jon reflect on their (romantic?) dinner in Qat...

We’re all too accustomed to hotels and airlines making negative changes, but Hyatt genuinely broke our hearts this week. So Gunnar and Kyle devote the show to diving into some massive changes on tap for what is (or perhaps was?) the most popular and valuable hotel points program. We’re talking nasty award rate increases, confusing pricing systems, a few silver linings, and what you should do before the hammer falls. Plus, Gunnar reviews his experience on the new (& improved?) Southwest Airlines, plus they help a listener navigate the dreaded  Chase 5/24 credit card rule. Watch us on Yo...

How do we find flight deals? How do you start a travel business? What’s next for Thrifty Traveler? For episode 50 of the show, we bring on Founder and CEO Jared Kamrowski to show how the Thrifty Traveler sausage is made! Plus, Jared reacts to some new Delta routes to Hawaii, discusses the reality of points and miles availability, and helps a listener plan their first Europe trip. Send us your “Welcome Back” video at ThriftyTraveler.com/Voicemail.Watch us on YouTube!00:00 - Thrifty Traveler’s Founder & CEO gets Booksy, too!03:30 - Timmy f...

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 mo...

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 show03:00 - The be...

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. <p...

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...

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 g...

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 matters23:15 - Bilt 2.0 is here, with good and bad news30:00 - A word from our sponsor: us! Get Thrifty Traveler Premium today33:10 - American Airlines (kinda) launches free Wi-Fi34:10 - No mileage or status on AA basic economy tickets35:10 - No status changes for American this year, but is bad news ahead?<...

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 webs...

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...

Where will you find the best flight deals in 2026? Where should you (and we!) travel this year? What else will shape the year of travel ahead - maybe another government shutdown? And who the heck are “Danny & Debbie Delta?” To ring in the New Year, the guys pull out their crystal balls to talk about all things travel in 2026. Plus, a special friend introduces the show and we make a big announcement about what’s ahead for the pod in 2026. Happy New Year, travelers!Watch us on YouTube!00:00 - Where are we traveling in 2026?02:2...

It’s the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Holiday Party, and what better way than to celebrate than with another mailbag episode?! We listen and react to voicemails from some beloved listeners and colleagues, including questions about the biggest story of the year, a bunch of incredible booking brags, the worst travel mistakes we’ve made, how our listeners (and bosses) really feel about all the Canada stuff. Plus, Gunnar kicks off the show with an extra special (cringe? brutal?) introduction. Happy Holidays, Thrifty Travelers!Thanks to HotelSlash for sponsoring this episode of the show! Try it out today: Use...

The end of the year is in sight, so it’s time for Gunnar and Kyle to pretend like they’re high schoolers on the pod (honestly, not a stretch) for some 2025 superlatives, yearbook style. Who was the class clown of travel? Most popular? Cutest couple? Best hairline?! Plus, the guys unveil the winners of TT’s second-annual First Class and Lavatory Awards, recognizing the absolute best and rock-bottom worst from the year of travel. Oh, and Kyle shares his unattainable childhood dreams and what he was really like in high school.Watch us on YouTube!0:00...

It’s a December news roundup! On the latest Thrifty Traveler Podcast Gunnar and Kyle run through eight major news stories in travel and points and miles, including breaking down the latest Unicorn alert for Delta One flights to Brisbane, a pair of troubling trends in points and miles, a hefty fee if you don’t have Real ID, some lounge and check-in openings, and more! 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...

This week on the show, the guys are joined by Alex and Jess from the Points Talk Squad (formerly Travel Mom Squad) who spend the show teaching (and sometimes counseling) Gunnar how to travel with an infant! They dive into what it’s like having parents who are proficient in points and miles, how to survive delays as a family, how to earn and redeem even more points for bigger groups, and continually reminding Gunnar that everything is going to be OK. Plus, they take a listener question about Capital One Venture card sign-up strategies and get divided by th...