The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Thrifty Traveler

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.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 48 min
The Current State of Points & Miles Deals in 2026
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 throttli
July 23 · 46 min
How the Pros Use Google Flights
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.
July 16 · 45 min
Is Airfare Dropping & Where to Find Late Summer Deals
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.”
July 9 · 46 min
Top 10 Flight Deals of 2026 (So Far)
It’s the halfway point in 2026, so Gunnar ranked the 10 best flight deals (and three best hotel deals) of the year so far … and Kyle got to air out 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
July 2 · 43 min
Amazing Hawaii Redemptions, Delta Highs & Lows and Other News
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.
June 25 · 43 min
Something(s) Hot: What’s Going Right in Travel
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
June 23 · 56 min
Live From Minneapolis! The Highs and (Disgusting) Lows of Travel
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 arri
June 18 · 39 min
With Record Card Bonuses, Banks are Going Crazy (in a Good Way!)
It’s official: The banks are losing their minds … with some of the best welcome bonuses we’ve ever seen, all at once. The guys start the show by debating whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s record-tying 100,000-point bonus is the GOAT before digging into a slew of other new offers that can quickly replenish your stash of points. Plus, they look into some bad news at CLEAR and wonder if the TSA PreCheck line is about to get busier. And Gunnar unveils the new sign-up bonus on his (completely ma
June 11 · 1 hr 4 min
Airline Alliances: The Key to Booking Flights for Fewer Points
SkyTeam and Star Alliance might seem like boring corporate brands, but understanding airline alliances - and how to use them to your advantage - is absolutely critical for leveling up your travels. That’s why the guys devote an the hour-long to breaking down alliances: what they are, why you should care, some of the best redemptions using those alliances, and even coming up with their own alliance … headed up by Gunnar’s namesake, “Gunair.” Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code THRIFTY fo
June 10 · 26 min
Surprise: Chase Souped Up the Sapphire Preferred Card!
The single-best travel credit card - the one we recommend most, especially for beginners - somehow just got even better. Chase just unveiled some shockingly positive changes this week that merited a bonus podcast. We break down all the good news, a few bad bits, and ask the question: Why is Chase doing this?
June 4 · 1 hr 4 min
Booking 5-Star Hotels in Italy, Airline Upgrade Scams & More News
Gunnar is back from Italy (and he’s completely insufferable about it …), so the guys break down his trip through Rome and beyond and how he booked some amazing stays - via Hilton. Plus, they recap some big news around Bilt 2.0, woes getting into Europe, a handy new tool for using your credit card perks, and the monumental news … about an airport Taco Bell.
May 28 · 54 min
The Biggest Winners & Losers from Hyatt’s Massive Changes
It’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 car
May 26 · 49 min
Roasting YOUR Worst Travel Mistakes
Gunnar 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.
May 21 · 49 min
Cheap Flights Are Still Out There: How to Find Them
We 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:
May 14 · 51 min
Dropping Airfare, Thailand & The Case Against Points & Miles
It’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?
May 7 · 1 hr 2 min
How to Earn a Million Points & Fly Delta One for Less
This 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?
April 30 · 59 min
Bilt Has Us Wondering: Is Chase Still King of Travel Rewards?
Thrifty 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.
April 28 · 42 min
The 14 Things We Never Travel Without (& the 1 Thing We Hate)
It’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?
April 23 · 54 min
The Dirty Little Secrets of Points & Miles
Not 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!
April 16 · 50 min
Mistake Fares, Merger Murmurs & Battling Bag Fees
We’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.

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

The Current State of Points & Miles Deals in 2026

How the Pros Use Google Flights

Is Airfare Dropping & Where to Find Late Summer Deals

Top 10 Flight Deals of 2026 (So Far)

Amazing Hawaii Redemptions, Delta Highs & Lows and Other News

Something(s) Hot: What’s Going Right in Travel

Live From Minneapolis! The Highs and (Disgusting) Lows of Travel

With Record Card Bonuses, Banks are Going Crazy (in a Good Way!)

Airline Alliances: The Key to Booking Flights for Fewer Points

Surprise: Chase Souped Up the Sapphire Preferred Card!

Booking 5-Star Hotels in Italy, Airline Upgrade Scams & More News

The Biggest Winners & Losers from Hyatt’s Massive Changes

Roasting YOUR Worst Travel Mistakes

Cheap Flights Are Still Out There: How to Find Them

Dropping Airfare, Thailand & The Case Against Points & Miles

How to Earn a Million Points & Fly Delta One for Less

Bilt Has Us Wondering: Is Chase Still King of Travel Rewards?

The 14 Things We Never Travel Without (& the 1 Thing We Hate)

The Dirty Little Secrets of Points & Miles

Mistake Fares, Merger Murmurs & Battling Bag Fees