How the Pros Use Google Flights

How the Pros Use Google Flights

Booking cheap travel starts and ends with Google Flights, which is why Gunnar and Kyle devoted a full episode of the podcast to how to use our favorite website - including some of the advanced features that can help you find the cheapest fares on the planet and help you book flights like a pro. The guys go over the basics before digging into next-level features like Explore, Alerts, and plenty of other details that set Google Flights apart as the best travel tool out there.  SHOW NOTES Go to Monarch.com [http://monarch.com] and use code “THRIFTY” to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50! Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/thrifty  [https://saily.com/thrifty] Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/dzf-yNSBwvE] Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - Elevator pitch: Why should you use Google Flights? 02:50 - Dan & Terry welcome us back from the Andaz Costa Rica 03:40 - The Extra Mile [https://thriftytraveler.com/newsletters/extra-mile/]: How to use Google Flights like a pro 23:10 - A word from our sponsor: Saily! 24:10 - A word from our sponsor: Monarch! 25:15 - Google Flights 401: Explore, Price Alerts & and more 41:00 - What about PointsPath or Seats.Aero browser extensions? 45:00 - What did Gunnar use before Google 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 [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is Airfare Dropping & Where to Find Late Summer Deals

Forget what you’ve heard about flight prices: There’s still time to get a great summer flight deal … if you know where to look. That’s what Gunnar and Kyle discussed this week along with a deep dive on where things stand with airfare. Are we going to get a break from high fares soon? Plus, the guys hate Delta’s new “Basic Business” fares, they love Flighty’s latest update, and they get the latest story in the saga of “bougie boyfriend.”  SHOW NOTES Thank you to our sponsor, Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt. Sign up at joinbilt.com/thrifty [http://joinbilt.com/thrifty].  This week’s episode is also by Visit Fargo-Moorhead [https://www.fargomoorhead.org/]! Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/dzf-yNSBwvE] Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - Ranking World Cup countries as travel destinations 02:05 - Katie welcomes us back to the show from London! 03:00 - The new-look Thrifty Traveler Podcast! 03:20 - Flighty’s new connection assistant update 06:23 - Sounding off on Delta “Basic Business” 15:40 - A word from our sponsor Bilt Rewards! 16:40 - A word from our sponsor Visit Fargo-Moorhead! 18:15 - What’s happening with airfare? 29:00 - Where to (still) find summer deals 38:50 - A listener’s “bougie boyfriend” 41:20 - How many Chase cards is too many? 44:45 - Kyle’s ideal place for a race route 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 [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Top 10 Flight Deals of 2026 (So Far)

It’s the halfway point in 2026, so Gunnar ranked up the 10 best flight deals (and three best hotel deals) of the year so far … and Kyle got to air all of his gripes and grievances about Gunnar’s list. In a six-month span that will surely be remembered for high airfare, we’re celebrating the deals that just kept coming – from flights to Asia in the $300s roundtrip to a business class mistake fare, and more. Plus, we help a listener with their “phantom” space problem, and Gunnar revisits the Taco Bell Cantina at DEN … again … Thanks to our sponsors:  Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/thrifty [https://saily.com/thrifty]⛵ Book your next flight at FargoAirport.com [http://fargoairport.com]! Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/JaUyQKPSc2g] Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - What’s the big story from the first half of 2026? 04:00 - And why is that the Taco Bell Cantina DEN [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/denver-taco-bell-cantina/] … 05:05 - Dana, Clayton, & Stan from White Sands, New Mexico 06:15 - A new best way to book Hawaiian Airlines Biz Class 09:30 - Qantas Biz Class on one of the world’s longest flights  11:25 - A rare sale on Delta’s flights to South Africa 13:05 - Delta One SkyMiles sale to Hong Kong 15:55 - Flights to Tahiti for $463 roundtrip 17:34 - A word from our sponsor: Fargo Airport (FAR)! 18:25 - A word from our sponsor: Saily! 19:18 - Some love for hotels, starting with Hermitage Bay Antigua 20:35 - Availability at the renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo 21:30 - The new Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica 22:45 - The first widespread Qsuites availability in years 26:50 - Delta One to Europe from 97k SkyMiles each way 31:10 - Flights to Asia from $359 … roundtrip! 33:15 - Turkish Airlines Biz Class mistake fare [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/biz-class-mistake-fare-autopsy/] 35:50 - The best deal of the year … so far … 39:00 - How did Gunnar do on his top 10 list? 39:50 - Kyle’s honorable mentions 41:15 - What is “phantom” award space? 45:10 - What’s the best thing we’ve booked in 2026? 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 [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amazing Hawaii Redemptions, Delta Highs & Lows and Other News

Gunnar and Kyle brag about gettin’ booksy before diving into a busy week of news: The single best redemption using Southwest miles, translating an airline CEO’s infuriating airfare comments, applaud a true sicko’s way of transferring points to Hilton, and more. Plus, the guys draft their favorite new routes debuting this winter and play the World Cup … of flight deals. SHOW NOTES Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/An0mxB4Seng] Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - Gunnar & Kyle both got “booksy” 02:24 - The Larsons welcome us back from Machu Picchu! 03:50 - Is this the best Southwest Rapid Rewards redemption [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/points/southwest-rapid-rewards-hawaii-redemptions/]? 08:55 - Translating Delta CEO’s (gross) comments [https://thriftytraveler.com/newsletters/extra-mile/june-25-delta-ceo-world-cup-savings/] on airfare 16:45 - A new Delta One Lounge ATL … eventually [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airport-lounges/delta-one-lounge-atl/] 21:15 - Transferring points from Chase to Hilton [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/credit-card/hilton-honors-chases-hidden-transfer-partner/] 24:25 - A Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/] flight deal World Cup 27:50 - Delta SkyMiles premium snack benefit extended! [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/delta-credit-card-free-snack/] 29:30 - & T-Mobile customers get a free drink [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/delta-t-mobile-free-drink/]! 30:20 - We’re hiring [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/hotel-deal-analyst-reporter/]! What it’s like to work with us … 31:45 - Drafting our favorite new winter routes 37:45 - A listener asks: How to use Google Flights for award travel? 41:05 - On the spot: Advice for getting into the travel industry 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 [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Something(s) Hot: What’s Going Right in Travel

Don’t dwell on the bad stuff, the guys remind themselves … because there’s plenty to be excited about in travel right now! So this week on the pod, Gunnar and Kyle outline all the things that are going well in travel right now: flight deals, new routes and airplane seats, big improvements for airport security, bigger and better lounges, massive credit card offers, and more. Plus, the guys help a listener decide on an airline from a Midwestern city and see if Kyle can stay positive for an entire 45 minutes! Thanks to our sponsors: Check out Bellroy’s travel gear and get 10% off using our link: https://bit.ly/4djV6u7 [https://bit.ly/4djV6u7] Head to Saily.com/Thrifty [http://Saily.com/Thrifty] for 15% off your first purchase! Get 50% off your first year of Monarch [https://www.monarch.com/] with promo code “THRIFTY” Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/siFkS6Udf38] Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - A word from our sponsor, Bellroy! 01:19 - Is it actually “The Golden Age of Points and Miles”? 03:18 - Shiloh welcomes us back from Costa Rica! 03:50 - Flight deals are still good 07:00 - Delta SkyMiles deals keep getting better 09:45 - A bevy of (fun) new route announcements 14:10 - An exciting newcomer: Japan Airlines Mileage Bank [https://www.monarch.com/] 18:05 - Touchless kiosks [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/travel/tsa-precheck-touchless-id/] & CLEAR improvements are changing TSA lines 21:40 - Credit card bonuses are better than ever 24:25 - A word from our sponsor, Saily! 25:30 - A word from our sponsor, Monarch! 26:45 - New, more lucrative ways to earn points 29:40 - New seats, new planes & new hotels 33:20 - Airline loyalty gets you further (sometimes) 36:45 - Bigger, better lounges & more of them 40:00 - An Indy listener weighs American vs. Delta 43:22 - What positive trend impacts Gunnar the most? 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 [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.