Airline Alliances: The Key to Booking Flights for Fewer Points

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.

Live From Minneapolis! The Highs and (Disgusting) Lows of Travel

An audience of close to 300 travelers joined us at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis for an unhinged episode and the very-first (but not last) live recording of the podcast. The guys dish out some hot takes, take a look at the state of flight deals right now, and then share some stories of the highs and lows of travel, because travel isn’t always pretty … and sometimes, it’s downright disgusting. Plus, the guys take some questions from the audience, chastise the travelers for their airport arrivals behavior, and so much more. Show Notes Thank you to Meet Minneapolis [https://www.minneapolis.org/] for sponsoring this special episode of the Thrifty Traveler Podcast! Watch us on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WcRLJ1RubI] Join us for the next live show in Fargo, North Dakota on Wednesday, July 29! Get your tickets now. [https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/live-event-fargo-july-29/] 00:20 - TV personality Jason Matheson intros your hosts! 01:50 - When did Kyle think this show would end? 05:09 - Our live audience welcomes us back! 05:28 - Hot takes: Delta SkyMiles is climbing the ranks 09:40 - Gunnar’s airport walking solution 10:52 - Are credit cards the best or worst thing to happen to air travel? 14:35 - The current state of flight deals 22:40 - The arrivals pickup area at MSP is a disaster 24:27 - Thanks to our sponsors: MSP Airport, Sun Country Airlines, & Meet Minneapolis! 26:38 - Acknowledging our listeners who traveled to join us – including the Netherlands! 27:34 - The highs and lows of travel 28:20 - Kyle’s trip to Vietnam that started it all 33:50 - Gunnar’s $10k travel day to impress his cool, hot wife 36:48 - Kyle’s travel low: Back to Vietnam 39:35 - Gunnar desecrates the world’s most beautiful beach 45:10 - Our biggest travel pet peeves 46:42 - The biggest biz class booking mistakes 48:20 - How has travel hacking changed our personalities? 50:35 - Kyle puts Gunnar on the spot 53:55 - Thank you to our audience, listeners & sponsors! Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Audio and video recording by Jon Camp 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.

With Record Card Bonuses, Banks are Going Crazy (in a Good Way!)

It’s official: The banks are losing their minds … with some of the best welcome bonuses we’ve ever seen, all at once. The guys start the show by debating whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s record-tying 100,000-point bonus is the GOAT before digging into a slew of other new offers that can quickly replenish your stash of points. Plus, they look into some bad news at CLEAR and wonder if the TSA PreCheck line is about to get busier. And Gunnar unveils the new sign-up bonus on his (completely made up) airline credit card … Heads up: We talk about credit card offers that may no longer be available as you listen to or watch this episode of the podcast.  SHOW NOTES Head to https://cozyearth.com [https://cozyearth.com] and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off! Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/jfTsxBKLE_c]! 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 friends at Cozy Earth! 00:58 - A quick recap of our live show! [https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/podcast-live-show-recap/] 03:18 - Lauren welcomes us back from Sevilla, Spain 03:43 - Chase Sapphire Preferred [https://thriftytraveler.com/reviews/credit-card/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/]: The best sign-up bonus … ever? 10:43 - CLEAR prices are up [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/travel/clear-raises-prices-again/] & PreCheck lines [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/travel/tsa-precheck-lines-longer/] may get longer 15:38 - A word from our sponsor: Cozy Earth! 16:38 - A slew of new credit card bonus offers [https://thriftytraveler.com/deals/credit-card/best-credit-card-offers-of-the-month/] 23:36 - What’s with all these huge offers at once? 30:28 - And what’s going on with Amex’s “As High As [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/amexs-as-high-as-offers-bad-news/]” offers? 32:23 - Showing off our new Shorty Award! 33:38 - A listener asks: Getting around Chase’s 5/24 rule [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/credit-card/chase-5-24-rule/] & reconsideration [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/credit-card/credit-card-reconsideration-guide/] 36:43 - What we do after opening a new credit card 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.