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!

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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!

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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.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.