The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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