The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Higher annual fees. More perks. New lounges. It never stops.The big banks are going bigger than ever on their “premium” travel credit cards. So, Gunnar (fresh off paternity leave!) and Kyle bring Thrifty Traveler’s co-founder and credit card expert, Nick Serati, on the show to help break down all the recent moves from Chase, Amex, and Capital One. And they ask the $900-plus question: With annual fees approaching $1,000 a year, are we hitting a breaking point? Watch us on YouTube!0:00 - Introducing Nick … & our new studio!1:13 - Catching Gunnar up on all the big travel news he (& you) missed05:48 - Something Hot: Chase’s huge bonus on the new Sapphire Reserve10:37 - Something cold: Chase’s messy eligibility rule changes15:23 - A word from our sponsor (us … and our really cool CardPilot tool that’ll help you pick your next travel card!)17:00 - The Extra Mile: Diving into the “premium” travel credit cards arm race19:17 - What’s next for the Amex Platinum Card? 20:13 - Capital One throws down the gauntlet with the best lounge yet21:49 - A fourth big premium card on the horizon? All eyes on Delta23:20 - Why “premium” travel is all the rage right now26:20 - Doing the math on premium cards & big annual fees29:48 - Why banks are all turning their top cards into glorified coupon books33:40 - The real value of these top-dollar travel cards39:50 - Listener Question: The best 4-5 credit cards to get started44:06 - On the Spot: What do Nick & Gunnar love about being dads? Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson NewmanEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

How can you find the best value for your SkyMiles? Are Delta SkyMiles worthless? Can you book Delta One for cheap? Am I an idiot for caring about SkyMiles? These are the questions we get about the wildly popular (yet maddening) Delta SkyMiles program, so we do our best to answer all of them and more. Whether you want to book quick, cheap flights within the U.S. or fly business class to Asia (and everything in between), we go over all the best ways to earn and burn Delta SkyMiles.Watch us on YouTube!(00:00) - What level of Delta status does Kyle have?(00:45) - What would we do with 200,000 Delta SkyMiles? (05:00) - Some of the best ways to use SkyMiles(09:00) - And the worst…(14:00) - A word from our sponsor (us): Get the Extra Mile Newsletter to earn more miles(15:00) - Delta SkyMiles 101(17:00) - Why Delta prices SkyMiles awards differently than other airlines(20:30) - Inside the infamous “Sad State of SkyMiles” story from 2023(23:15) - Why SkyMiles Flash Sales are like “Clearance Meat”(28:45) - The best destinations to target for a good SkyMiles deal(34:00) - Where can you find a pseudo-Delta SkyMiles “award chart”?(36:00) - American Express credit cards and what Delta’s strategy with its profitable partner(39:30) - Delta One SkyMiles deals … are they even possible?(42:15) - How to find Delta SkyMiles redemptions outside of flash sales(45:30) - Are Delta SkyMiles worthless?(47:00) - The #1 key to getting good value from your SkyMiles(49:15) - Helping a traveler from SLC earn SkyMiles fast(53:00) - What one change would Gunnar make to the SkyMiles program?Produced by Gunnar Olson & Long TranEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Gunnar's still enjoying the new life of a girldad, so Kyle brought our first-ever special guest on the show: Max Do - better known as MaxMilesPoints. As one of the biggest and best social media creators covering points and miles, Max is uniquely qualified to explain the rise of travel influencers - both the good and the bad - while sharing his own story of how he left his 9-to-5 job (it involves a $10,000 deal with a hotel brand). Plus, Kyle and Max talk through the big news from Chase and American Express ... and place their bets on just how high the Platinum Card's annual fee may go. Watch us on YouTube!0:00 - Introducing our first-ever guest: MaxMilesPoints!01:43 - Something Hot: The new JFK Capital One Lounge (ft. a cheesemonger and bagel bar)08:15 - Something Cold(ish): Chase & Amex’s top travel cards are getting even pricier16:43 - A word from our sponsor (us … and our flight deal service that even Max uses)18:30 - The Extra Mile: Why Max fell in love with travel and started MaxMilesPoints22:18 - 10,000 reasons why Max left his full-time job to become a full-time social media creator24:27 - The positives and negatives behind the explosion of travel influencers30:30 - Sharing a cocktail & slowing down your travels33:14 - Rapid fire questions with Max (& the time he went to the wrong airport)40:02 - Listener question: Which cities to visit in Vietnam? 43:01 - On the spot: The one thing Max would change in award travelProduced by Kyle Potter & Long TranEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 mishap09:18 - 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 living16:50 - The art of finding flight deals, mastering Google Flights & expanding into award travel23:04 - 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 & puppies30:27 - 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 NewmanEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 Taipei10:30 - Something cold: Pouring one out with a goodbye to the old Southwest14:50 - 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 summer19:15 - 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 mode22:00 - Booking a nonstop Delta flight home … but not with SkyMiles28:30 - The best car rental booking tool out there: AutoSlash31:00 - 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 rest37:00 - 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 studio45:45 - On the Spot: Travel re-treads, or what trips would we try again? Or not?Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson NewmanEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 booked03:20 - Something Hot: Why (& how) you should transfer your Amex points to Alaska…right now!07:30 - Something Cold: Hilton hikes award prices…again10:40 - Something Extra Cold: Delta’s gross "Basic" rebrand bait & switch15:20 - 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 hadProduced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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!) alertshttps://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 TranEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 KyleProduced by Gunnar Olson & Long TranEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 NewmanEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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” story03:50 - Why we’re so psyched about Google Flights’ fancy new feature09:35 - 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 Kenya34:00 - 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 bush25:15 - More about elephants!55:02 - A listener calls Gunnar & Kyle out of touch about their Hyatt free night certificates take58:10 - Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot…and Gunnar eats some delicious crow about HiltonProduced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson NewmanEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 destinationsProduced by Gunnar Olson & TBDEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

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 everywhereThe 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 aheadTravel 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 outfitProduced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Gunnar and Kyle record a special, emergency episode to dive into the biggest news in travel in months: A new 100,000-point welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. They talk about why it should be on every traveler’s radar, explain who is eligible for to earn it (including if you already have the card), and take a stab at explaining why Chase would be doing this in the first place. Everything You Need to Know About the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k Bonus Point Offer(00:00) Can Kyle transfer Chase points to the White Lotus?(01:45) Why this offer is so exciting (and is it the best bonus of all time?)(04:10) Which finger would you remove to earn 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points?(09:55) How long will this new bonus offer last? (10:50) What is Chase doing here?(13:30) Why we think Chase points are the best in the world(15:05) We draft our top 3 redemptions using 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards(25:00) How to Sign Up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred to earn 100K bonus points!Full disclosure: If you decide to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card through our website, we'll make a commission - and we appreciate it! Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Hotels, hotels, and also hotels: That’s what episode four of the pod is all about. Gunnar and Kyle talk about some huge hotel credit card bonuses and how Hyatt needs to step up its game … especially with Hilton hot on its heels lately for the crown of the world’s best hotel loyalty program. Gunnar makes a lot of pained (and strange) references to pools. And the guys quiz each other on where to set season 4 of The White Lotus – we know you’re listening, Mike White.Watch us on YouTube!(0:00) Where should season 4 of The White Lotus go???(3:39) Something hot: Huge hotel credit card offers(10:24) Something cold: Hyatt free night awards need a facelift(17:23) A word from our sponsor: Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal (and hotel!) alerts(19:43) The Extra Mile: Hilton > Hyatt … maybe?!(40:51) A listener asks if she should be booking hotels directly, like flights(44:40) Gunnar puts Kyle on the spot about his favorite hotel stay everProduced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Gunnar and Kyle kindly invite Thrifty Traveler Founder Jared Kamrowski on his own show! Jared shares his favorite flights, worst travel mistakes, looks back on the (almost) decade since starting Thrifty Traveler and what he’s seen change in 10 years of flight deals and points and miles. Plus, the guys laugh about Thrifty Traveler’s extremely humble beginnings (in Jared’s garage - literally) and Gunnar’s memorable job interview in 2021. Watch us on YouTube!(0:00) Welcoming our founder and CEO Jared Kamrowski to the middle seat!(0:52) Why would Jared let Gunnar and Kyle start a podcast?(2:07) Something hot: The Best Flight of Jared’s Life - Emirates First Classhttps://thriftytraveler.com/reviews/flights/emirates-game-changer-first-class/(4:30) Something cold: Jared’s worst travel mistake ... on a group trip flying Ryanair(7:20) A word from our sponsor – Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts! https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/(10:23) The Extra Mile: Reflecting on 10 years of Thrifty Travelerhttps://thriftytraveler.com/news/thrifty-traveler-origin-story/https://thriftytraveler.com/news/new-full-time-job-thrifty-traveler/(29:00) Jared talks about the challenges and upsides of booking from smaller, regional airports(34:20) Putting Jared on the spot and making him choose one redemption to resurrectProduced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Gunnar and Kyle put Southwest on trial, explaining the (shortsighted) logic behind the airline’s incredibly unpopular changes to baggage and other negative moves - and what it means for all you travelers going forward. Plus, some Hyatt properties to book ASAP before they’ll cost you more points and our absolute favorite travel hack that isn’t much of a “hack” at all. Watch us on YouTube!(0:00) Thanks for ruining our first podcast, Southwest!!!(1:38) Something hot: Flight prices are dropping - rebook your flights to save more! (4:48) Something cold: Hyatt properties on the move, book ASAP! (12:54) A word from our sponsor (us … and our really cool tool to help you pick your next travel card!)(14:00) The Extra Mile: Why Southwest did it … & what’s next(33:53) A listener wonders how to redeem Delta and Capital One miles(36:52) Putting Gunnar on the spot about our (alleged) issuesProduced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Gunnar and Kyle kick off the podcast by focusing on the cheapest destinations for a trip in 2025, discussing Chase’s dominance in the airport lounge wars, some bad Southwest news (which was just the tip of the iceberg…), and more!Watch us on YouTube!(0:00) A few destinations where your dollar goes furthest thanks to the exchange rate.(4:53) Something hot: Chase Sapphire Lounges are on a roll.(10:27) Something cold: Southwest did us dirty.(12:47) The Extra Mile: From Italy to Japan, your best bets for cheap flight deals in 2025 (including Emirates and domestic flights!)(35:51) A listener wonders how to find cheaper spring break fares.(39:35) Putting Kyle on the spot about Turkish food.Credits: Hosts: Gunnar Olson & Kyle PotterProduced by Gunnar Olson & Nick SeratiEdited by David StruttShow 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 [email protected] 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.

Watch us on YouTube instead! Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts - and if you’re excited, give us a five-star rating to help spread the word.Your hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter from Thrifty Traveler are (almost) ready to bring you the best in travel once a week. They’ll dive deep into the world of flight deals, redeeming points and miles, destinations, travel tips, and so much more. Publishing Thursday mornings. Get ready for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast.More on Thrifty Traveler: https://thriftytraveler.com/Follow us on…InstagramFacebookBlueSkyYouTube 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 [email protected] 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.