Cheaper Fares Abroad, Big Bilt News, a Merger & 7 Other Big News Stories
The news has been relentless to kick off the New Year, so the guys are devoting the latest Thrifty Traveler Podcast to 10 big news stories you need to know in 2026. That includes much cheaper one-way international fares, the surprising Allegiant-Sun Country merger, Bilt Rewards 2.0, a pair of new lounges, and much more. Plus, a listener wonders what to do about the dreaded “equipment swap” and Gunnar keeps digging a deeper hole with his recent O’Hare take…
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast · Gunnar Olson, Kyle Potter
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Show Notes
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
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