Podcast
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast
Hosted by Thrifty Traveler · EN
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.
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Biggest Winners & Losers from Hyatt’s Massive Changes
2w ago00:54:33Tap to summarizeIt’s a Brave (?) New World … of Hyatt. The hotel chain (almost) everybody loves officially brought down the hammer with some sweeping and painful changes to its award program. So with Gunnar overseas - probably crying into his Italian red wine - Nick joins Kyle to delve deep into the data behind what’s changed: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And yes, there is good news here. Plus, they try to answer the most important question: What does this mean now for Hyatt and your transferable credit card points? Thanks to Bellroy for sponsoring this episode! Get 10% off your next great Bellroy travel bag with our special link! Watch us on YouTube! 01:20 - Nick fills in to catch you up on Hyatt 06:13 - Cali & Waverly welcome us back from a Hyatt in Hawaii! 08:00 - The nuts & bolts of Hyatt’s big changes 10:15 - Analyzing 1,200+ Hyatt properties, before & after… 12:24 - Our big-picture takeaways 15:35 - How Hyatt handled the changeover 18:40 - The big winners in the new World of Hyatt 22:46 - & the bigger losers 31:38 - Get your tickets for our live podcast event now! 32:38 - Big surprises: Availability & top-priced nights 34:56 - What’s next? Will this get worse? 36:35 - An introspective conversation about hotels 40:51 - What to do to maximize your Hyatt points now 44:58 - & what to do with your transferable points 48:46 - Helping Jessica pick the right hotel booking 52:04 - On the Spot: Nick’s Hyatt hotel 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →Roasting YOUR Worst Travel Mistakes
2w ago00:49:31Tap to summarizeGunnar and Kyle have already made fools of themselves with their most embarrassing travel mistakes. Now it’s your turn in the spotlight. After a deluge of emails, the guys share your big mishaps and goofs … plus a few more of their own, for good measure. What have we learned? Check your dates and reservations closely, don’t book a 10-hour bus ride in Cambodia, and definitely don’t eat nickels. Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Turning the mirror on your big, embarrassing travel mistakes 01:15 - But first, Gunnar has another one 04:20 - Kurt welcomes back the show from Emirates’ spa 05:18 - Watching Heated Rivalry at 35,000 feet 08:01 - Bryan’s booking blunder to Paris 09:28 - How Liz’s boyfriend won the hotel lottery in London 11:04 - Peter’s too-close connection in Madrid 13:29 - Gunnar coins “The Trojan Rule” 13:56 - Travis & his trash bag in Costa Rica 15:58 - Learn from Gauri’s husband: Double-check your wallet 18:03 - Claudia’s flipped dates & a miracle in Ireland 20:32 - Rick roasts his boneheaded son-in-law 21:47 - Gunnar’s big revelation 23:40 - Buy your tickets for The Thrifty Traveler Podcast … Live! 24:28 - Jon got too thrifty in Cambodia 26:17 - Jennifer forgot to check her schedule 29:40 - Dana goes full “sicko” after a booking error 31:45 - Ranking Rachel’s 6 mistakes 35:06 - Katie’s grueling & traumatic road trip 38:30 - Learn from Nita: Souvenir passport stamps are a no 40:48 - Melissa & her hubby doubled down 45:11 - On the spot: The mistakes Kyle fears most 48:01 - Dan shares his favorite Gunnar gem 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →Cheap Flights Are Still Out There: How to Find Them
3w ago00:49:30Tap to summarizeWe know, we know: The flight prices have gotten rough out there, travelers … but not everywhere. So on this week’s pod, Gunnar and Kyle devote the show to spelling out the quintessential steps to take to find cheaper fares this summer, fall, and beyond. Plus, some exciting news about our (now officially award-winning!!!) show, an update on Hyatt’s dastardly deeds, and perhaps the strangest hotel-restaurant collab nobody asked for. Thanks to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode! Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off! Watch us on YouTube! 01:02 - Are the guys still gettin’ booksy? 03:54 - Michelle welcomes us back from Taipei! 04:30 - Something Hot: We won the Shorty Award + live show updates! 10:15 - Something Cold: Hyatt drops the hammer 15:29 - Something Stupid: Room service … from Applebees? 18:29 - A word from our sponsor, Cozy Earth 22:41 - Why Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays are key 19:28 - The Extra Mile: How we’re finding cheaper fares now 20:25 - The #1 tool to save on travel: Be flexible with your dates 23:43 - Why Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays are key 25:45 - #2: Use those points! 27:59 - #3: & use partner award programs for big savings 29:56 - #4: Do some inventory & maximize your travel card credits 33:10 - #5: Follow the deal, use Google Flights Explore & “unplan” your trip 36:03 - #6: Book earlier (or much later) than normal 40:32 - Heelys in the airport & the “Bevledge” on the plane 43:00 - A listener asks about when positioning flights go wrong 46:03 - Kyle’s on the spot about his upcoming trip to Tokyo 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →Dropping Airfare, Thailand & The Case Against Points & Miles
4w ago00:51:37Tap to summarizeIt’s the episode where we all get to be jealous of Kyle’s trip to Thailand. Luckily, he tells us how to book it and why his inkling to avoid using points and miles (for part of it) made the trip that much better. Plus, the guys make a bold prediction about airfare, wonder if the lounge overcrowding problem is solved, and ask the question: are hotel points and status even worth it anymore? 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 - Post-trip clarity: Getting home from vacation 02:18 - Kyle welcomes us back from the pool in Thailand 02:45 - Are we heading for an airfare cliff? 10:00 - SkyMiles & Airbnb: More earnings, weird rules 12:20 - Points & miles rates aren’t rising with airfare 14:38 - United cardholder discounts are getting better 18:30 - Why Jackson is souring on hotel loyalty 21:40 - Is the lounge overcrowding problem solved? 27:25 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards! 28:40 - Everything about Koh Kood in Thailand 37:00 - Kyle’s Thailand trip logistics: Flights, hotels, Hong Kong & more 45:14 - Vote for our live podcast topic at thriftytraveler.com/vote! 46:00 - A listener asks: Should you avoid London due to high fees? 49:00 - What is Gunnar’s Koh Kood? 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →How to Earn a Million Points & Fly Delta One for Less
May 701:02:26Tap to summarizeThis week, we go in-depth on Delta One business class from a person who is too young to know this much about flying Delta’s premier product around the world. Thrifty Traveler’s Kyle Thomas joins the show to talk about how he earned more than a million points and miles as a college student. We break down all the best Delta One deals, how to book them, and also touch on some news about credit card offers and wonder why it is we got so wistful about Spirit’s demise? Thanks to Cozy Earth for sponsoring today's episode! Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off! Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Cool Kyle earning a million points as a college student 02:17 - Kyle welcomes us back from the Great Barrier Reef! 03:30 - Start, Bench, Cut: 3 new credit card offers to know 10:20 - Getting wistful about the official end of Spirit Airlines 15:13 - Thanks to our sponsor Cozy Earth! 16:10 - Flying Delta One to Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, Brisbane, and more 17:15 - The Delta One experience at check-in & the lounge 18:50 - Making sense of Delta’s different Delta One seats (Always use Aerolopa) 23:15 - Delta’s new suites are coming and other upgrades 26:20 - What it’s like onboard Delta One – meals & service 32:10 - The best ways to book Delta One 36:40 - Are Delta One bookings through partners officially dead? 38:30 - The Best Delta Skymiles deals we’ve sent in 2026 (so far!) 41:00 - Thrifty Traveler Premium Destination Filters 43:20 - How to earn a million points as a college student 51:15 - Kyle’s Australia trip: Qantas, scuba certification, and more 54:00 - Helping worried listeners with their Europe trips 58:00 - Kyle’s 23 countries in 23 years adventure 59:20 - What would Gunnar do with a million miles? Catch Kyle’s brand new Delta One Review to Brisbane on YouTube! 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →Bilt Has Us Wondering: Is Chase Still King of Travel Rewards?
Apr 3000:59:26Tap to summarizeThrifty Traveler Co-Founder Nick Serati helps us answer a pressing points and miles question: Is Chase still the most important travel rewards program? After running the numbers, he’s changed his tune about Chase and wonders if newcomer Bilt has something to do with it. Plus, we talk about a potential government-owned Spirit Airlines, some devaluations, and the White Lotus choosing Hyatt! Plus, how to use points and miles on golf and a hilarious new travel mistake story. Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this week’s episode! Go to https://surfshark.com/thrifty4 or use code THRIFTY4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Nick’s travel mistake: A $600 shirt in Vegas 04:45 - Nick’s daughter Elin introduces the show from Sedona! 05:15 - Thanks to our sponsor Surfshark VPN! 06:45 - The Hyatt Lotus & how to book it 10:20 - LifeMiles and Aeroplan hike award rates 15:55 - Something Stupid: A government-owned Spirit? 21:40 - Is Chase Still the King of Travel Rewards? 25:40 - The 5/24 rule & how Chase became king 29:15 - The Chase Sapphire Reserve isn’t helping 32:15 - Is Bilt’s complicated system worth it? 40:00 - Is the Bilt Palladium Card right for Gunnar? 46:00 - Is Chase still king? Our verdict 48:15 - A listener’s lap infant conundrum 52:30 - How to use points and miles on golf trips 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →The 14 Things We Never Travel Without (& the 1 Thing We Hate)
Apr 2800:42:44Tap to summarizeIt’s amazing how a pair of headphones, a pillow, or a carry-on bag can make or break your trip. That’s why we’re going through all of our favorite travel gear in this week’s special bonus episode. The list includes strollers, luggage, eye masks, neck pillows, earplugs, and more. Plus, we help a listener use his Capital One miles, and the guys answer: What’s the one piece of travel gear you want if money (or shame) were no object? Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Gunnar’s travel etiquette proposal 03:06 - Jeff and Angie at the Alila Ventana Big Sur welcome us to the show! 04:15 - Gunnar’s Half-Day Garment Duffel Bag 06:30 - Kyle’s headphones and AirFly adapter 08:12 - Kasey’s headphones, backpack, and toiletry kit 10:10 - Gunnar’s Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 11:30 - Tracey’s MiFold Booster Seat 13:15 - Kyle’s Tumi Backpack 16:10 - Join us at the Thrifty Traveler Podcast … Live on June 12! 17:10 - Gunnar’s Mzoo Eye Mask and Turtl Pillow 20:20 - Katie’s Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones 22:35 - Kyle’s Epicka adapter … and the new, better one from Anker 25:50 - Gunnar’s BabyJogger travel stroller 28:05 - Kyle’s pill and contact case and Mack’s earplugs 31:10 - Jon’s Ostrich Pillow 33:40 - What would you do with 125,000 Capital One Miles? 37:55 - Your dream piece of travel gear 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →The Dirty Little Secrets of Points & Miles
Apr 2300:54:42Tap to summarizeNot everything is as easy as travel and points and miles influencers make it look. Have you ever wondered, “How are these people earning all of these points?” Or, “How are these people taking so many business class flights?” They’re good questions, because people in the travel world (including sometimes us) haven’t always been so forthcoming about some of the secret strategies they use to travel like they do. Join us as we unveil them all! Show Notes Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this week’s episode! Go to https://surfshark.com/thrifty4 or use code THRIFTY4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 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 - What it’s like to be a travel professional 03:10 - Melissa from Cappadocia, Turkiye, introduces the show! 05:10 - Quarterly airfare check-in: Where to find cheap flights 11:35 - Where not to find cheap flights right now 16:00 - Listener Question: How are influencers earning all these points? 20:30 - The dirty little secrets of points and miles 52:00 - On the Spot: What can we do better? 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →Mistake Fares, Merger Murmurs & Battling Bag Fees
Apr 1600:50:06Tap to summarizeWe’re shining a spotlight on baggage (both travel and emotional …) this week as airlines raised bag fees almost in unison. So the guys talk through what happened, why, and - most importantly - what you can do to avoid paying those higher fees altogether. Plus, we dig into some Delta One news, break down a recent business class mistake fare, and sift through some (ridiculous) United/American merger chatter. Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this week’s episode! Go to https://surfshark.com/thrifty4 or use code THRIFTY4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - “Pitiful & Pathetic:” Feedback on the travel mistakes episode 04:05 - Nate, Mo, & Koko introduce the show from New Zealand! 04:50 - $410 business class fares to Europe: A mistake fare breakdown 12:20 - Translating Delta CEO’s statements about rising airfare 17:30 - New Delta One Suites & a new Delta One Lounge at MSP 22:55 - United’s (gross) new basic business class tickets 25:20 - Something Stupid: United & American merger murmurs 29:08 - Baggage fees are up … but why? 34:35 - How to avoid baggage fees 44:40- Listener Question: Would you fly east to Asia? 47:40 - On the spot: What is Kyle’s favorite piece of baggage? 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →Our Biggest, Most Embarrassing Travel Mistakes
Apr 900:45:05Tap to summarizeTravel isn’t always perfect and we certainly aren’t either. This week on the show, Gunnar and Kyle cop to the worst travel mistakes they’ve made over the year. From rehashing Gunnar’s Avianca last name fiasco to entering birthdates wrong to over-scheduling trips, getting fleeced at an expensive restaurant, and even timing bathroom breaks on the road, the guys have screwed up a lot over the years. Join us as we discredit, debase, and humiliate ourselves! Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - What’s the biggest mistake travelers make? 02:50 - Sylvia welcomes us to the show from Zion National Park 05:15 - The Gunnar Olson Olson Olson story 07:10 - Not checking airfare from more than one airport 09:20 - Think before you swipe: Using the wrong card to book flights 11:55 - Over-scheduling travel – Kyle’s slightly-too-much trip 14:00 - Not paying attention to open hours 16:15 - Birthday fiascos and infant reservations: Don’t wait until the airport! 19:40 - Getting a ski trip shuttered by the weather 22:30 - A word from our sponsor: Don’t miss the next great flight deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium 24:20 - Letting e-credits expire 26:15 - Leaving something in the overhead bin 28:30 - Swiping the same old credit card 30:40 - Check the menu: A crazy expensive meal in Singapore 32:35 - The pre-boarding bathroom break 34:40 - A listener asks: Why the “Yo?” 36:12 - Another listener asks: More on our rebooking strategy 43:05 - The biggest mistake Gunnar has made at Thrifty Traveler 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.comGet 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.
Transcribe →