It’s the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Holiday Party, and what better way than to celebrate than with another mailbag episode?! We listen and react to voicemails from some beloved listeners and colleagues, including questions about the biggest story of the year, a bunch of incredible booking brags, the worst travel mistakes we’ve made, how our listeners (and bosses) really feel about all the Canada stuff. Plus, Gunnar kicks off the show with an extra special (cringe? brutal?) introduction. Happy Holidays, Thrifty Travelers!

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!

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00:00 - ‘Twas the Pod Before Christmas…

02:30 - What’s the biggest story in travel we covered on the pod in 2025?

05:35 - Trip Brags: Our listeners and colleagues brag about their best 2025 bookings

20:30 - What deals do we want in 2026? What’s left on our bucket lists?

24:45 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - & rebook when prices drop

25:35 - Travel mistakes - Amy learning things the hard way and Grover wants to know if they’re cut out for the points and miles game after all?

33:20 - A hodge-podge of questions: How many credit cards & tipping in lounges

41:20 - Oh, Canada: Are Gunnar’s days with the company numbered?

47:30 - Sylvia puts us on the spot about our biggest mistake … and her own

52:10 - Some special holiday thank-yous to our colleagues and listeners

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 end of the year is in sight, so it’s time for Gunnar and Kyle to pretend like they’re high schoolers on the pod (honestly, not a stretch) for some 2025 superlatives, yearbook style. Who was the class clown of travel? Most popular? Cutest couple? Best hairline?! Plus, the guys unveil the winners of TT’s second-annual First Class and Lavatory Awards, recognizing the absolute best and rock-bottom worst from the year of travel. Oh, and Kyle shares his unattainable childhood dreams and what he was really like in high school.

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0:00 - Kicking off our 2025 travel superlatives with “Class Clown” & “Most Popular”

4:14 - Recapping (some) of the 25 best flight deals of the year

14:29 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - & rebook when prices drop

15:23 - The rest of our 2025 travel superlatives, including “Cutest Couple,” “Most Ambitious” & more

21:11 - The Worst Glow Up (… is that a thing?) of 2025

26:31 - The Best Dressed Airline of 2025

30:06 - A back-to-back “Best Hair” winner & Most Likely to Cheer You Up

37:17 - Our second-annual First Class & Lavatory Awards (recognizing the best and worst in travel) go to…

47:02 - On the spot: What was Kyle like in high school?

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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It’s a December news roundup! On the latest Thrifty Traveler Podcast Gunnar and Kyle run through eight major news stories in travel and points and miles, including breaking down the latest Unicorn alert for Delta One flights to Brisbane, a pair of troubling trends in points and miles, a hefty fee if you don’t have Real ID, some lounge and check-in openings, and more!

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Gunnar’s strange clothes habit and a Delta One Unicorn deal to Brisbane

05:00 - 2 troubling new trends in points and miles: Will they get worse?

12:00 - The 2025 End of Year Checklist

17:40 - Why it’s the best time of year to open a new credit card

20:00 - The TSA’s new $45 fee you’ll (soon) pay if you don’t have Real ID

24:40 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - & rebook when prices drop

25:30 - More Delta One check-ins are open now - including a mini-review of the Minneapolis Delta One check-in

30:10 - Chase’s Sapphire Lounge in Las Vegas (LAS) is now open…but is it big enough?

35:30 - RIP: The cheapest way to fly to Hawaii using points and miles

39:14 - Listener Feedback: Brian tells Gunnar not to worry about traveling with kids…yet, Karla recommends a travel baby carrier, and Jessica brags about her rebooking wins

42:55 - Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot: What did Gunnar learn from last week’s Points Talk Squad interview about traveling with kids before his first big trip abroad

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

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Welcoming the Points Talk Squad & having a parent who’s proficient at points and miles
04:15 - Something hot: How “Travel Mom Squad” became the “Points Talk Squad” and how it all began

11:15 - Something cold: Surviving delays and cancellations when flying with a family

15:50 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt

17:30 - The Extra Mile: The core truths, best tips & points strategies for traveling families from the experts at the Points Talk Squad!

45:00 - Send us a voicemail at thriftytraveler.com/voicemail and you may hear your voice in an upcoming episode!

45:30 - Listener question: Which Capital One card to sign up for first?

49:00 - On the Spot: Hotels or flights?

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 guys bring on co-worker and extra special guest Kasey DellaPenna - aka @kaseymeetsworld - to share her story of becoming a backpacking digital nomad and travel influencer … who splits her time between living in Guatemala, the U.S., and traveling the world. After a whirlwind trip, she recaps a visit to Hong Kong, Shanghai to cap off her official worldwide ranking of all the Disney parks. Plus, our most beautiful places on earth - and why Kasey is proudly a Disney adult.

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Explaining our time travel-y episode

00:40 - Introducing our friend and colleague Kasey, a self proclaimed Disney adult

02:42 - Kasey’s best travel deals including a Hawaii stopover & her expert tip for finding the cheapest flights abroad

07:50 - Kasey’s biggest travel mistake: An embarrassing missed flight in Orlando

11:45 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - & rebook when prices drop

12:35 - Kasey’s travel origin story – and becoming a backpacker and digital nomad

24:20 - How she wound up living in Guatemala half the year and her pitch for the perfect Guatemala vacation

32:00 - A Disney expert’s tips on how to travel to the parks on a budget

36:18 - Walking us through her epic trip through China and Hong Kong – including flying Delta Premium Select

42:00 - The Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong & how they compare

44:00 - The official ranking of Disney Parks worldwide

49:30 - Listener Question: Our most jaw-dropping “wow” destinations

53:00 - On the Spot, Haters Edition: Places we don’t need to go back to…

Produced by Gunnar Olson and Sylvia Thomas
Audio editing 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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Airport lounges aren’t just for the rich, the elite, and the bougie – we think they’re a crucial money-saving strategy for (nearly) all everyday travelers. Gunnar and Kyle argue that lounges are actually a thrifty way to travel, not to mention a fun way to start your trip! They talk about the best, cheapest ways to get into the lounge, some expert tips to maximize your lounge access, and run through some of their absolute favorite lounges around the world. Plus, they talk about using AI chatbots in trip planning, a new welcome offer on their favorite premium credit card, and finally answer the question: Did Gunnar get overserved at the company retreat last month?

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Our airport lounge order of operations: where to sit, what to do, and Gunnar’s (possibly illegal?) signature move

02:40 - Send us a voicemail! Have a trip to brag about? A question for us? Leave us a voicemail at thriftytraveler.com/voicemail

03:15 - What AI chatbots are helpful for trip planning (Gunnar ranks his top 5) and tips for using AI

08:15 - Something Hot: The Capital One Venture X Card big new bonus offer

13:00 - Something Cold: Federal plan to compensate travelers for delays and cancellations is officially dead

17:10 - Something Colder: United walks back award rate decreases … except for cardholders

18:30 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - & rebook when prices drop

19:30 - The Extra Mile: Airport Lounges ARE Thrifty

29:00 - How to get lounge access – the tickets, status, or credit cards you need to get in, and our favorite airport lounges around the world

58:25 - Listener Question: Xander needs business class flights to his wedding, but prices are crazy right now. What would we do?

01:02:15 - On the spot: Did Gunnar get too drunk at the company retreat last month? His official statement

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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Almost everything went wrong in air travel over the past week and change - including for Gunnar and Kyle’s own flights - as the shutdown took a nasty turn with thousands of delays and cancellations. Shutdown or not, the guys dig into all the strategies they use to get through air travel disruptions (relatively) unscathed. Tune in for tips for booking, tracking your flights, and how to get things back on track. They also discuss what’s next after the shutdown (hopefully) ends, give some kudos to Bilt 2.0, chastise Qatar for going “basic”, and review their Palm Springs company retreat!

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Gunnar and Kyle both survived some brutal delays

02:36 - Government shutdown update: Recapping a brutal week in the skies & what’s ahead

08:50 - Something Hot: Bilt Rewards is making more big moves with Bilt 2.0

14:45 - Something Cold: Qatar Airways begins charging for seat selection in business class

19:04 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - & rebook when prices drop

20:00 - What to do when things go wrong in travel: Everything we do to protect ourselves during meltdowns, shutdowns, bad weather & bad luck.

55:00 - Listener Question: A recap of our team trip to Palm Springs & an important book in our studio

1:00:30 - On the Spot: Kyle’s trip to NYC and our impressive friends & listeners

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 another news breakdown! This week on the show, we dig into eight big news stories in travel, from Southwest’s newest lounge (including our suggestions for what Southwest should offer), more new lounges in Salt Lake City, the dramatic return of Australia and New Zealand business class points deals, and some surprisingly good news from both United and Hilton. Plus, Gunnar finally finds a workaround to talk about Canada on the pod … while giving Kyle some editorial control. Teamwork!

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!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - What’s a staple of a Southwest lounge? Wrong answers only

02:35 - Australia/New Zealand lie-flat award availability is back!

07:35 - A shutdown update: Ground stops, long TSA lines, and all the latest

10:35 - United makes some of its best MileagePlus redemptions cheaper!

14:00 - Southwest gets approval to open a lounge…in Hawaii

18:15 - 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!

19:34 - Salt Lake City opens a new SkyClub and Centurion Lounge…and Gunnar’s rant on the “Digital Immersion Wall”

25:22 - RIP to the best way to book vacation rentals using points

27:45 - Chase news: New benefits & upgrade offers 31:45 - Hilton lowers rates on some of its most egregiously expensive redemptions

34:00 - Introducing the Canada Button – our new way to control Gunnar’s obsession with Canada

36:40 - Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto gets more flights to the U.S., making it the best way to fly to and from Toronto

39:35 - Listener Question: Upgrading to Premium Economy?

42:55 - On the Spot: You can only visit one Canadian province forever, which one takes the Kokanee, eh?

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!

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.