Travel Squad Podcast

To kick the new year off, were sharing our top tips and hacks to travel a little more luxury using points, miles, and credit card perks the smart way. We share tips about staying organized and tracking bonuses to flying premium cabins, scoring luxury hotels for nearly free, and maximizing perks like lounge access and hotel credits. If your2026 resolution is to travel more often and spend less, this is the episode for you!

Track flight deals on Thrifty Traveler Premium! One of our top hacks is combining points bonuses with point flight deals! Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re breaking down what glamping really is and share unforgettable luxury camping experiences around the world that we’ve had, from bubble hotels in Mexico’s wine country to safari lodges in Uganda and hill country luxury tents in Texas. We’re inspiring you to go glamping with all the info on what to expect, who glamping is best for, and why it’s the perfect way to experience nature with comfort, style, and incredible views.

Campera Hotel Bubble – Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Camp Hideaway Retreat, Fredericksburg, TX

Twiga Safari Lodge – Near Murchison Falls, Uganda

Topanga Tipi - Topanga, CA

On the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Alpaca Expeditions – Peru

Find a great flight deal to your next glamping destination by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In this weeks episode, we’re continuing on to Part-two of our adventures in the Canadian Rockies and going to one of the most epic national parks in the world - Banff National Park! We took an early summer trip to this jaw dropping gorgeous destination for several days of hiking, taking in the unreal sights of turquoise blue waters and exploring the great outdoors that only Canada has to offer. If you love lakes, mountains, wildlife, and those beautiful forest mountain vibes, then this is the trip for you! We also dip into nearby Yoho National Park to see the most gorgeous turquoise lake. You don’t want to miss this bonus park when you visit Banff.

In this episode we cover:

• Tips for visiting Banff National Park, including where to buy park passes and the shuttle system
• General travel tips for the area
• Where to stay in ⁠Lake Louise Village⁠
• Lake Louise
• The Beehive Trail & Lake Agnes Tea House
• Yoho National Park
• Emerald Lake
• Natural Bridge
• Lake Moraine
• Cave and Basin
• Lake Minnewanka
• Two Jack Lake
• Upper Hot Springs

Make sure to listen to part 1 of this trip to extend your trip up into ⁠Jasper National Park⁠, you won't want to miss the Icefields Parkway! And if you want to take this trip for yourself, download our ⁠7-Day Banff Travel Guide⁠ & view our ⁠Hiking Must Haves⁠ to help take the planning off your shoulders. If you have more time in the area, check out these ⁠recommended experiences⁠ to get even more out of your trip.

Find a great flight deals to Banff, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: ⁠⁠Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

On this week's Just the Tip, we're sharing our practical tips to make the most of your time in the airport during a long layover.

Find a great flight deals by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: ⁠Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

That’s a wrap on 2025 travel! We’re sharing all the trips we went on this year and giving you a little wanderlust inspiration along the way!

Together we took 33 trips to 17 countries, 10 U.S. states, and 3 national parks. We put out 76 new episodes about these travels and more so explore the deep dive trip episodes if any of these destinations pique your interest.

Find a great flight and hotel deals by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

Show NotesOn this week's episode we're sharing the best techniques and etiquette for taking picture for fellow travelers, and how you can help someone else take the best travel picture for you!

We've joked about this topic for ages, but now we're breaking down real ways to avoid the dreaded picture fail when you ask that kind stranger to help you out. Remember these travel photography tips for your next trip!

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Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In part-one of this two-part episode we head up to Canada to take Jasper National Park by storm! In this episode we detail the first half of our week trip exploring Jasper and Kootenay National Parks. We share our adventures hiking, exploring the gorgeous lakes, seeing bears, dipping in the hot springs, trekking on a glacier, and stopping along the Icefields Parkway.

In this episode we cover:

• Tips for visiting Jasper National Park, including where to buy park passes
• General travel tips for Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, and the Canadian Rockies.
• ⁠⁠Where to stay in Hinton ⁠⁠
• Lakes: Lake Louise, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Maligne Lake, Pyramid Lake, Medicine Lake, Valley of the Five Lakes, Waterfowl Lakes
• Waterfalls: Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls, & Numa Falls
• Canyons: Maligne Canyon, Mistaya Canyon, & Marble Canyon
• Downtown Jasper
• Miette Hot Springs
• Columbia Icefield Adventure: Athabasca Glacier and Skywalk
• Continental Divide

Make sure to listen to part 2 of this episode where we head to ⁠⁠Banff National Park⁠⁠ and if you want to take this same exact trip, we have a ⁠⁠7 Day Banff National Park Travel Guide⁠⁠ for you to download & ⁠⁠Hiking Must Haves⁠⁠ to help take the planning off your shoulders. If you have more time in the area, check out these ⁠⁠recommended experiences⁠⁠ to get even more out of your trip.

Find a great flight deal to Jasper National Park, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

On this week’s Just The Tip, we’re 5 sharing 5 insane luxury resorts we’ve stayed at across the globe that we highly recommend for a splurge vacation! We share what amenities and views mae these next-level, and share some tips to cover the cost with points vs. paying cash out of pocket so you can experience the finer life without breaking the bank!

1. Thirea Suites - Oia, Santorini, Greece

2. Atlantis The Palm – Dubai, UAE

3. Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach – Phuket, Thailand

4. El Establo Hotel – Monteverde, Costa Rica

5. Elephant Plains Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

6. Papallacta Hot Springs – Papallacta, Ecuador

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

For the 6th year in a row we are bringing you the very best gifts for travelers! This year we're sharing the hottest presents for the luxury traveler, the organized one, the wellness globetrotter, the tech gear every traveler needs, and for the cautious traveler concerned with safety! We’re also sharing some travel inspiration that would make any vacationer happy!

Everything can be found in our ongoing Best Gifts for Travelers Amazon list.

1. Ricardo Beverly Hills carry on luggage

2. Mens leather toiletry bag

3. Scarf that can double as a  blanket, fashion, or cover up

4. Matching travel set for women

5. 1 Layer makeup bag

6. Self-closing mini bags

7. Dagne Dover Carry All Bag

8. Compression socks 

9. Travel health insurance

10. Makeup setting spray

11. Laundry sheets

12. Silicone bottle covers 

13. Multi-charging cable

14. Handheld fan 

15. Magnetic Phone Tripod and a Magsafe 5ft Remote Tripod 

16. Cross Body Bag

17. Anti-theft Clips

18. Personal safety alarm

19. Phone lanyard   

20. Thrifty Traveler Premium Membership - use our code TSP for $20 your first year subscription 

21. Travel Squad Podcast Itineraries 

22. Viator experiences

23. A trip!

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re taking you along with us to Camp Hideaway Retreat to experience luxury tent suites, a quintessential fall retreat in Texas Hill Country! You’ll be inspired to go glamping, experience retreat travel, and start planning a wine tasting getaway Fredericksburg, Texas with your friends and family.

If Camp Hideaway Retreat is booked, we also recommend Longneck Manor, and Stars Hot Tub Dome for a Fredericksburg stay!

Check out our Fredericksburg Viator Shop for experiences, tours, and transfers that we recommend.

Find a great flight deal to Austin (just a 90-minute drive to Fredericksburg) by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.