On this week’s podcast, Kyle recaps a whirlwind trip that included an overwater villa in Bora Bora, driving the wild landscapes of New Zealand, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, and a 10-seat mezcal bar in Sydney - booked almost entirely using points and miles … including several business class flights! The guys walk through how he did it, cover some highlights and hard lessons, too. Plus, they talk about some stellar SkyMiles sales to Mexico, an update on how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting travel, and debrief from the Thrifty Traveler team’s recent retreat in Palm Springs.

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Thanks to HotelSlash for sponsoring this episode of the show! Try it out today: Use promo code THRIFTYTRAVELER for a free 90-day trial – plus, get $20 off your first prepaid booking!

00:00 - Gunnar has been to all seven continents…right? Is Oceania a continent?

03:15 - Finding Something Out: A quick government shutdown update

06:05 - Something Hot: Delta SkyMiles deals to Mexico from just 7,000 roundtrip!

10:10 - Something Cold: One new Delta route we’re not thrilled about…

13:25 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - and rebook when prices drop

14:20 - The Extra Mile: How to book a trip to Bora Bora, New Zealand, and Australia using points, just like Kyle!

18:00 - Bora Bora on points and miles (including the Conrad Bora Bora!)

31:45 - Highlights from New Zealand, including Milford Sound!

39:35 - Getting to the Great Barrier Reef for less

46:45 - Other highlights from Australia, including a ride home in Delta One Suites

59:03 - On the Spot: The latest update from TT’s coolest employee

Produced and edited by Sylvia 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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It’s finally time for a mistake fare episode! Kyle and Gunnar talk about the most exciting fares in the world of flight deals, when airlines accidentally sell tickets at ridiculous discounts. The guys talk through their favorite mistake fares from over the years, how to find and book the next one, and what you need to watch for. Plus, they discuss why holiday flight deals are so much better this year, their new favorite mileage program that might not be on your radar, and Delta’s possibly problematic credit card rule.

Watch us on YouTube!

Thanks to HotelSlash for sponsoring this episode of the show! Try it out today: Use promo code THRIFTYTRAVELER for a free 90-day trial – plus, get $20 off your first prepaid booking!

00:00 - Previewing the next edition of the (in)famous Thrifty Traveler company retreat

02:10 - Holiday flight deals are really good this year, but why?

06:35 - Something Hot: Is this our new favorite mileage program? All about Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

13:55 - Delta’s little-known and possibly problematic credit card rule

17:16 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay – and rebook when prices drop.

18:15 - Mistake fare draft: Our six favorite mistake fares of all time

25:30 - Everything you need to know about mistake fares: How to book them, where to find them, and how they happen in the first place

46:50 - Listener Question: Maximizing credit card spend on a big house project

51:30 - On the spot: The flight deal that got away

Produced and edited by Sylvia 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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Bluesky

This week, Gunnar and Kyle (who both coincidentally wore fresh Lululemon gear on the pod, courtesy of new $75 credits) spend some extra time digging into the ongoing government shutdown and what it means for travelers heading to airports today, tomorrow, next week and beyond. But the big topic of the day is diving into the premium travel boom, as airlines install fancier seats, build new airport lounges, and generally cater to the upper crust. Gunnar and Kyle debate whether or not that’s good news for budget travel. Plus, they enjoy an Alaska Airlines executive’s recent jab at his competitors and chat about United’s exciting new routes.

This week’s episode is brought to you by Bilt. Earn points on rent and around your neighborhood by visiting joinbilt.com/thrifty. Make sure to use our link so they know we sent you!

00:00 - Gunnar and Kyle discover they’re both wearing their $75 Lululemon Amex Platinum credits

01:36 - An Alaska Airlines executive provides some reality TV drama to the airline industry by poking his competitors on Reddit

08:08 - Something Hot: Breaking down all of United’s new routes for 2026

13:00 - Something Cold: The federal government shutdown, how it’s affecting travel, and how to protect yourself

23:40 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt. Head to joinbilt.com/thrifty so they know we sent you!

24:45 - Behind the premium travel boom: What it means, why it’s happening, and whether that’s good or bad news for everyday travelers

51:00 - Listener Question: Do Alaska Airlines credit cards make sense if you don’t live near an Alaska hub?

54:38 - On the spot: Our favorite podcasts (besides this one!)

Produced and edited by Sylvia 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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This week, a bonafide travel hacker and self-proclaimed “bad boy of the travel industry” joins the show to discuss his two services that help millions travel more for less.

Jonathan Weinberg is the founder and CEO of our beloved AutoSlash and, more recently, HotelSlash. So who better to hop on the podcast and make both Gunnar and Kyle smarter about the worlds of hotel and car rental booking? Jonathan talks about his career before getting into travel – including his firsthand experience being in the Twin Towers on 9/11 – and then walks us through how and why he founded the two money-saving booking platforms that Gunnar and Kyle use all the time. Plus, we chat about Georgia (the country, not the state) and get a little giddy about a handful of new Park Hyatt properties in the pipeline.

Watch us on YouTube!

Thanks to HotelSlash for sponsoring this episode of the show! Try it out today: Use promo code THRIFTYTRAVELER for a free 90-day trial – plus, get $20 off your first prepaid booking!

00:00 - A quick note about today’s episode

00:18 - Introducing AutoSlash and HotelSlash CEO, Jonathan Weinberg!

01:48 - Ruffling feathers in the travel industry

06:55 - Something Hot: Why we can’t stop talking about Georgia (the country, not the state) and a flight deal to get you there

12:45 - Something Hotter: Park Hyatts are renovating, opening, and expanding all over the world - our favorites are…

16:40 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - and rebook when prices drop

17:47 - Jonathan’s path into the travel industry: A travel-filled childhood, working on Wall Street, finding flight deals, & more

24:00 - A harrowing experience inside World Trade Center Tower 2 on Sept. 11, 2001 - read Jonathan’s firsthand account

29:20 - The how & why behind AutoSlash

33:43 - Pivoting to HotelSlash and how it’s different from other hotel booking sites

41:10 - Becoming “bad boys of the travel industry”

47:15 - International driver’s permits: Do you need them?

50:35 - Listener Feedback: Amy’s wins in Montana,including a sweet rental car deal

53:00 - On the spot: Gunnar and Kyle’s thoughts on hidden city ticketing (or “Skiplagging”)

Produced and edited by Sylvia 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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Bluesky

Using points and miles to travel for less is what we’re all about … but even two brilliant, handsome podcasters like us (yes, that’s sarcasm) need some help to earn more of them, get organized, and redeem those awards for better travel. So this week, we open up our toolboxes and run through the tools we use to travel better - including a few tools we created for our listeners to use for free! Come to get smarter about points and miles, stay to hear the rollercoaster that is Gunnar’s self-esteem during this episode.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - The most annoying person at the party: The person who just got back from vacation

01:54 - Recapping Kyle’s trip to England and Scotland (that we previewed in Ep. 12)

09:25 - Something Hot: The Amex Platinum Lululemon credit & how to use it on gift cards

12:20 - Something Hotter: The Park Hyatt Tokyo was wide-open using Hyatt points!

15:00 - Something Cold: Who is the Amex Platinum for Business Card for?

17:45 - A word from our sponsor: Get max value from your points with Thrifty Traveler Premium

18:50 - The Extra Mile: Our tools of the trade for next-level award travel

19:15 - The tools we use to earn points and miles (Cardpilot, Rakuten, & more)

30:00 - The tools we use to organize our cards, points and miles (Card benefit spreadsheets, Travel Freely, & more)

38:00 - How we spend our points and miles wisely (Award alerts, award search tools, the guide to transfer bonuses, & more)

45:30 - Listener Observation: How to beat AA’s solo passenger tax

48:00 - On the Spot: What would Gunnar change about himself … travel-wise

Produced by Nick Serati and Gunnar Olson
Edited by David Strutt (Find him @davidstrutt on Fiverr!)
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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Bluesky

Gunnar and Kyle celebrate their recent travel bookings (a.k.a. “Getting Booksy”) before diving into an extremely busy couple days of travel news. Gunnar introduces an unhinged new “Stoke Scale” to help the guys rank a flurry of new route announcements from Italy to Hong Kong, and more. Plus, they break down stories you need to know about the Park Hyatt Tokyo, Hilton’s woes, Delta’s future in Mexico City, some intriguing new Capital One transfer partners, and more!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Kyle and Gunnar both booked something (Kyle to Hong Kong, Gunnar to Italy)

03:45 - Routes news: All the new routes you should be excited about, ranked on the brand new “Gunnar Olson Stoke Scale”

12:15 - Bad news for consumer rights, worse news for Delta flights to Mexico City (MEX), and some great news from Google Flights

20:07 - What’s the easiest way to stay up on the news? The Daily Beat Newsletter! Sign up (for free) today!

20:40 - Hotel news: The Park Hyatt Tokyo is reopening, the sorry state of Hilton, and White Lotus France hotel speculation

32:00 - Credit card news: The revamped Amex Platinum gets rave reviews, Chase chases Amex with new hotel credits, intriguing new Capital One transfer partners, and Avios news

45:00 - On the spot: Kyle tells us more about his dogs!

46:45 - A heartfelt tribute to the late Katherine Olson, Gunnar’s grandma who helped spark his life in travel

Produced by Erica Kamrowski and Gunnar Olson
Edited by David Strutt
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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Bluesky

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - The new Amex Platinum Card has a new look … but does it matter?

02:10 - The nuts and bolts of the new (and improved?) Platinum Card from American Express – and our reaction in 5 words or less

04:00 - Something Hot: The Platinum Card credits you love aren’t going anywhere

06:45 - Something Cold: An eye-watering $895 annual fee

11:15 - Want more travel rewards and credit card news sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Extra Mile newsletter today!

11:45 - We go credit-by-credit to see if we can make an $895 annual fee work on the Amex Platinum card work, from $600toward hotels to $300 for Lululemon credit to one serious dud

33:00 - How to get organized and recoup that $895 annual fee

36:30 - Time is of the essence: The moves Platinum cardholders need to make ASAP

44:00 - “Is the Amex Platinum a good credit card for most travelers?”

46:55 - Listener Question: Emily wants some credit card advice before taking a gap year

51:30 - Nick puts Gunnar & Kyle On the Spot: If you could only transfer points to one program for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Produced by Jackson Newman & Gunnar Olson
Edited by David Strutt
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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Bluesky

This week, the guys dig deep on their favorite travel app: Flighty! Ryan Jones, the CEO of the incredibly powerful and beautifully designed flight tracking app, joins the podcast to explain how Flighty keeps travelers up-to-date using data data and what they’ll love about the new iOS features on the app. Plus, the guys compare their own delay data, pick their favorite underrated features, and discuss other travel apps and websites that are doing it best.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Introducing Flighty CEO (& Eagle Scout!) Ryan Jones

01:00 - Everything you need to know about the Flighty app & how it works

12:10 - A sneak peek at the newest Flighty update in iOS!

22:32 - Flighty’s delay predictions – & who has the most total hours lost to delays

26:32 - Why flight tracking? How Flighty started at an airport Chili’s

35:30 - Are airlines getting better or worse at flying on-time?

37:50 - Underrated Flighty features: Decoding delays, Friends Flights, previous flights & more

48:30 - How to use Flighty Pro as a regular traveler - it’s not just for just road warriors!

55:45 - Listener Question: What are your favorite travel apps and websites?

1:00:40 - On the Spot: Have you ever missed a flight?

Produced by Gunnar Olson
Edited by David Strutt
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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Bluesky