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.

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!

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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.com

Get 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!

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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!

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.com

Get 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!

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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.

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.com

Get 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!

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Travel 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.com

Get 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!

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The news has been relentless to kick off the spring, so the guys spend the show tackling a dozen different stories. There’s an update on those awful TSA lines, JetBlue already raised its baggage fees, and Air France/KLM just raised surcharges on award tickets. We also look into United’s splashy new “Relax Row” seats, discuss why American is reversing course on seatback screens, and throw out some quick takes on news like rule changes around Delta’s 20-minute baggage guarantee. Plus, a listener dubs Gunnar “The Redheaded Clown.” Brutal.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - When do you start packing for a trip?

01:43 - Rosie’s daughter introduces the show from Costa Rica!

02:20 - We’re a finalist for the 2026 Shorty Awards! Vote now at thriftytraveler.com/vote

03:26 - Are we out of the woods with TSA issues?

06:40 - JetBlue raises baggage fees, when will the other airlines follow?

09:15 - Womp, womp: Flying Blue raises fuel surcharges on award tickets

12:15 - United’s buzzy new Relax Row – would we book it?

16:50 - American wants to reinstall seatback screens

20:40 - Two new nonstop routes to the Philippines?!

23:25 - A word from our sponsor (us): Sign up for the Extra Mile newsletter today!

24:00 - Delta’s 2,500 bonus SkyMiles bags on time rule change

23:35 - Delta inks new inflight Wi-Fi deal with Amazon

27:00 - We love Flighty’s new update

28:35 - Amex ditches Saks, adds ChatGPT credits

30:20 - Attention, skiers: Epic and Ikon passes are now on sale

32:15 - Buying MLB tickets with Capital One miles is back

33:40 - What seat on the plane is best for your skin?

36:00 - Gunnar (finally) gets roasted in the reviews

38:15 - On the spot: Start, bench or cut Delta’s new transpacific routes?

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.com

Get 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!

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Gunnar is back from a rain-soaked trip to Hawaii to talk about oil prices, airfare, and what’s next for flight prices - plus, an update on what’s happening at TSA checkpoints across the country as the partial government shutdown drags on. But Gunnar can’t stop talking about his vacation, so he gives a review of Hawaiian Airlines First Class, reveals his grand theory of travel, and the guys pitch a visit to Minneapolis for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Live Show in June!

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going LIVE: Join us Friday, June 12 in Minneapolis! Buy your tickets now!

Thanks to our sponsor, Saily! Download Saily in your app store - use our code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase

https://saily.com/thrifty 🌍

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Recapping Gunnar’s trip to Hawaii

04:40 - Marcus welcomes us back to the show from Cabo

05:00 - A review of Hawaiian’s fancy first class suites

10:32 - Gunnar’s Grand Theory of Travel

14:45 - TSA News: Lines, ICE agents & more

20:12 - A word from our sponsor: Travel abroad with an eSim from Saily!

21:25 - Oil prices (and airfare) are going up. What’s next?

34:30 - What you should do now & where to find deals

45:50 - Gunnar gets spotted & pitching Minneapolis

52:20 - On the Spot: What’s the most you’ve paid for a flight?

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.com

Get 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!

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Against all odds, our baby - this humble travel podcast - is one year old! So the guys are celebrating the best way they know how: by turning the show over to you listeners for another mailbag episode. What’s the best way to book a business class seat all the way to Australia - or Hawaii? Why do airlines charge more per ticket for more passengers? How do we rack up more points? Plus, we’ve got huge news about the show that at least four of you have been waiting for…

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going LIVE: Join us Friday, June 12 in Minneapolis! Buy your tickets now!

Thanks to our sponsor, Saily! Download Saily in your app store - use our code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase

https://saily.com/thrifty 🌍

Watch us on YouTube!

0:00 - Celebrating one year of the pod & our sunscreen strategies

05:41 - Mike welcomes us to the show from the Milford Sound

06:10 - Big news: Buy your tickets for the TT Podcast Live in June!

07:50 - What’s the key to booking biz class awards to Australia?

12:50 - How to rack up more points day to day

18:51 - The best lie-flat seats you can fly to Hawaii on points

22:22 - Why do more passengers = higher fares?

26:30 - And why we love beating the airlines at their silly games

27:15 - Strategies & best bets for cheap upgrades

31:37 - A word from our sponsor: Travel abroad with an eSim from Saily!

32:50 - How we track price drops and deals to rebook & save more

35:57 - And how to cancel your first flight for free

39:09 - Points to earn & lie-flat options to Europe for the family

42:29 - Would we ever use travel agents?

45:39 - An amazing sighting in the Delta Sky Club

47:59 - On the spot: A beautiful proposal … at the O’Hare Chili’s

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.com

Get 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…
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Bluesky

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.