Gunnar and Kyle pull out their binoculars to be your safari guides in this week’s episode. After going on their own safaris with the help of points and miles, they talk through their trips, what they loved (spoiler alert: pretty much everything), what they learned, and what they’d do differently next time. Plus, the guys gush about a new feature Google Flights is testing, wonder aloud about when the Chase Sapphire's big bonus will end, and get (rightfully) called out by a listener for a bad take on a previous episode.

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 - Gunnar finally tells the “Gunnar Olson Olson Olson” story

03:50 - Why we’re so psyched about Google Flights’ fancy new feature

09:35 - How long will the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K Bonus Offer last?

12:55 - Gunnar recaps his trip to Zanzibar and the Masai Mara safari in Kenya

34:00 - A word from our sponsor (us … and our free Extra Mile Newsletter for points and miles aficionados) 

35:00 - Kyle puts on his safari hat and talks about his own trip to the South African bush

25:15 - More about elephants!

55:02 - A listener calls Gunnar & Kyle out of touch about their Hyatt free night certificates take

58:10 - Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot…and Gunnar eats some delicious crow about Hilton

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Jackson Newman
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 [email protected]

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

Gunnar and Kyle dive deep into the tenuous state of travel demand (it's slowing down) and what it means for travelers on the hunt for a bargain (good things!) They also chat about a pair of spectacular deals that went out to Thrifty Traveler subscribers and wonder if Real ID enforcement is actually coming or not. Oh, and we officially have a listener of the week!

Watch us on YouTube!

(0:41) - Would you book a fare called “Ultrabasic?”

(3:08) - A Unicorn deal & a mistake fare … all in one week!

(8:05) - Real ID is coming…but actually for real this time?

(11:54) - Travel is slowing down…

(18:32) - A word from our sponsor: Us (and our flight deal service!)

(20:53) - Why this might be the best summer ever for flight deals

(24:35) - Flight prices are going down when they should be going up

(25:20) - Domestic flights under $100 RT

(27:20) - Delta shortens summer – August is fall now

(30:05) - Points & miles deals in business and first class, too

(33:10) - Gunnar loves “inappropriate fares”

(35:00) - Why you should be rooting for low-cost carriers

(37:35) - Listener Question: Tara wants to fly biz class to Kenya

(42:13) - Our first-ever Listener of the Week loves pool metaphors more than we do!

(44:10) - Gunnar puts Kyle on the spot about his least favorite destinations

Produced by Gunnar Olson & TBD
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 [email protected]

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

Gunnar and Kyle go back to basics on the pod: It’s not the Five D’s of Dodgeball, it’s the 10 Commandments of Points and Miles. Whether you’re just getting started with travel rewards or consider yourself a pro, this (only slightly irreverent) list can help you take things to the next level with your points. The guys also break down a troubling trend in frequent flyer programs … and Kyle roasts Gunnar for his clothes.

Watch us on YouTube!

(00:00) Making memes & fun new airline routes

(04:15) Something hot: Revisiting that huge new 100K bonus

(08:27) Something cold: U.S. airlines are pulling the strings with devaluations

(13:10) A word from our sponsor (us … and our really cool tool that’ll help you pick your next travel card!)

(14:51) The Extra Mile: The 10 Commandments of Points & Miles

(17:30) 1. Start slow

(20:03) 2. Learn about how your credit score really works

(24:04) 3. Don’t rule out cards with annual fees

(28:52) 4. Stop before you swipe - maximize your spending

(32.41) 5. & stop swiping your airline credit card everywhere

The 3 Kinds of Credit Cards I Have (But Don’t Always Use)

(37:06) 6. Honor transferable points and airline alliances

(39:53) 7. But don’t transfer your points without a purpose

(42:42) 8. Use services (like ours) and other tools to help you get ahead

Travel Freely, our favorite tool to stay organized

(48:33) 9. Travel is not a contest

(51:03) 10. Resist points paralysis: Earn and burn

(55:04) A listener wonders how to tackle points & miles with a spouse - aka “two-player mode”

(59:13) Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot about his outfit

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati
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 [email protected]

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

Gunnar and Kyle record a special, emergency episode to dive into the biggest news in travel in months: A new 100,000-point welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. They talk about why it should be on every traveler’s radar, explain who is eligible for to earn it (including if you already have the card), and take a stab at explaining why Chase would be doing this in the first place. 

Everything You Need to Know About the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k Bonus Point Offer

(00:00) Can Kyle transfer Chase points to the White Lotus?

(01:45) Why this offer is so exciting (and is it the best bonus of all time?)

(04:10) Which finger would you remove to earn 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

(09:55) How long will this new bonus offer last? 

(10:50) What is Chase doing here?

(13:30) Why we think Chase points are the best in the world

(15:05) We draft our top 3 redemptions using 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards

(25:00) How to Sign Up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred to earn 100K bonus points!

Full disclosure: If you  decide to sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card through our website, we'll make a commission - and we appreciate it! 

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati
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 [email protected]

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

Hotels, hotels, and also hotels: That’s what episode four of the pod is all about. Gunnar and Kyle talk about some huge hotel credit card bonuses and how Hyatt needs to step up its game … especially with Hilton hot on its heels lately for the crown of the world’s best hotel loyalty program. Gunnar makes a lot of pained (and strange) references to pools. And the guys quiz each other on where to set season 4 of The White Lotus – we know you’re listening, Mike White.

Watch us on YouTube!

(0:00) Where should season 4 of The White Lotus go???

(3:39) Something hot: Huge hotel credit card offers

(10:24) Something cold: Hyatt free night awards need a facelift

(17:23) A word from our sponsor: Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal (and hotel!) alerts

(19:43) The Extra Mile: Hilton > Hyatt … maybe?!

(40:51) A listener asks if she should be booking hotels directly, like flights

(44:40) Gunnar puts Kyle on the spot about his favorite hotel stay ever

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati

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 [email protected]

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

Gunnar and Kyle kindly invite Thrifty Traveler Founder Jared Kamrowski on his own show! Jared shares his favorite flights, worst travel mistakes, looks back on the (almost) decade since starting Thrifty Traveler and what he’s seen change in 10 years of flight deals and points and miles. Plus, the guys laugh about Thrifty Traveler’s extremely humble beginnings (in Jared’s garage - literally) and Gunnar’s memorable job interview in 2021. 

Watch us on YouTube!

(0:00) Welcoming our founder and CEO Jared Kamrowski to the middle seat!

(0:52) Why would Jared let Gunnar and Kyle start a podcast?

(2:07) Something hot: The Best Flight of Jared’s Life - Emirates First Class

https://thriftytraveler.com/reviews/flights/emirates-game-changer-first-class/

(4:30) Something cold: Jared’s worst travel mistake ... on a group trip flying Ryanair

(7:20) A word from our sponsor – Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts! 

https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/

(10:23) The Extra Mile: Reflecting on 10 years of Thrifty Traveler

https://thriftytraveler.com/news/thrifty-traveler-origin-story/

https://thriftytraveler.com/news/new-full-time-job-thrifty-traveler/
(29:00) Jared talks about the challenges and upsides of booking from smaller, regional airports

(34:20) Putting Jared on the spot and making him choose one redemption to resurrect

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati
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 [email protected]

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

Gunnar and Kyle put Southwest on trial, explaining the (shortsighted) logic behind the airline’s incredibly unpopular changes to baggage and other negative moves - and what it means for all you travelers going forward. Plus, some Hyatt properties to book ASAP before they’ll cost you more points and our absolute favorite travel hack that isn’t much of a “hack” at all.
 

Watch us on YouTube!

(0:00) Thanks for ruining our first podcast, Southwest!!!

(1:38) Something hot: Flight prices are dropping - rebook your flights to save more! 

(4:48) Something cold: Hyatt properties on the move, book ASAP! 

(12:54) A word from our sponsor (us … and our really cool tool to help you pick your next travel card!)

(14:00) The Extra Mile: Why Southwest did it … & what’s next

(33:53) A listener wonders how to redeem Delta and Capital One miles

(36:52) Putting Gunnar on the spot about our (alleged) issues

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati
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 [email protected]

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

Gunnar and Kyle kick off the podcast by focusing on the cheapest destinations for a trip in 2025, discussing Chase’s dominance in the airport lounge wars, some bad Southwest news (which was just the tip of the iceberg…), and more!

Watch us on YouTube!

(0:00) A few destinations where your dollar goes furthest thanks to the exchange rate.

(4:53) Something hot: Chase Sapphire Lounges are on a roll.

(10:27) Something cold: Southwest did us dirty.

(12:47) The Extra Mile: From Italy to Japan, your best bets for cheap flight deals in 2025 (including Emirates and domestic flights!)

(35:51) A listener wonders how to find cheaper spring break fares.

(39:35) Putting Kyle on the spot about Turkish food.

Credits: 

Hosts: Gunnar Olson & Kyle Potter

Produced by Gunnar Olson & Nick Serati

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 [email protected]

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

Watch us on YouTube instead! 

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts - and if you’re excited, give us a five-star rating to help spread the word.

Your hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter from Thrifty Traveler are (almost) ready to bring you the best in travel once a week. They’ll dive deep into the world of flight deals, redeeming points and miles, destinations, travel tips, and so much more. 

Publishing Thursday mornings. Get ready for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast.

More on Thrifty Traveler: https://thriftytraveler.com/

Follow us on…

Instagram

Facebook

BlueSky

YouTube

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 [email protected]

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