The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Our Biggest, Most Embarrassing Travel Mistakes

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

Bag Fees Go Up, United Throws Down & 10 More News Stories

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

WTF is Happening with Flight Prices & What We’re Doing

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

Ask Us Anything: Biz Class to Australia, How We Earn Points & Big Pod News!

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

More Flights, Fewer Points: 5 Underrated Mileage Programs

Sure, you can earn and redeem SkyMiles and Rapid Rewards points to your heart’s content. We won’t stop you. But it’s the next level of points and miles programs that help you save even more and turn regular travelers into “sickos” like us. So the guys devote the show to spelling out five underrated airline mileage programs even everyday travelers can use to maximize their credit card points. Plus, a listener suggests a new nickname for fans of the show (there are dozens of you, we swear!) and Gunnar puts his all-time favorite airline programs on the Olympic podium.  Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - Our “gateway drug” into points & miles  01:55 - TG welcomes us back to the show from snowy Niseko, Japan 03:45 - What airline programs are actually getting better?  06:50 - And which are overrated?  11:10 - A word from our sponsor: Sign up for our Extra Mile Newsletter 11:45 - Framing a discussion on top five “underrated” airline programs 15:10 - #1: Avios … but maybe not the one you’re thinking of 23:20 - #2: A newcomer full of sweet spots 32:05 - #3: Another quirky Japanese program loaded with value 40:10 - #4: The popular SkyTeam program that’s not rated high enough 47:30 - #5: The U.S. airline with the best miles 55:25 - Listener Question: “Thrifties” & changing loyalty numbers on bookings 59:50 - On the Spot: What’s your airline mileage program podium 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.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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.